Programme 2025/2026

Members Free, Visitors £4 _____________________________________________________________

 

16th September 2025

History Hunters with Chris Topping. - Introduction to Metal Detecting, 7.30pm St Mary's Community Centre.

The talk will outline some of the history of metal detecting, followed by just how detectors work, including a demonstration using various objects. There will be illustrations of methods and tools used by detectorists as well as various finds for members to inspect.

 

 

21st October 2025 

Catherine Penny. The History of Dutton Hall, 7.30pm St Mary's Community Centre

 

Dutton Hall

 

 

18th November 2025 7.30pm

Dr. Chris Tinmouth - The Reformation in Lancashire, , 7.30pm St Mary's Community Centre

This lecture will explore the cause, course and consequence of the Reformation of the 16th-17th centuries, both at a European level and how it affected Lancashire. It will look at how communities across religious divides were affected by the changes brought about by the Reformation, how individual and societal relationships with the divine were understood in different ways and how the Reformation has affected, and continues to affect, the historical development of modern Western civilisation. This lecture was first delivered to critical acclaim on the 500th anniversary of the publication of Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) in 2017, within the Shire Hall at Lancaster Castle, and much of the content reflects the experiences of religious and political prisoners who passed through its walls. The intention of this lecture is therefore to place religious developments in Lancashire within the wider context of the 16th-17th century European Reformation as much as to honour the significance of the religious movements within the county in their own right.
 

9th December 2025

Fiona Smithson - Interesting historical objects and artifacts. Back by popular demand, Fiona will bring a collection of mysterious objects for us to identify. Followed by a Jacob's Join. 7pm, St Mary's Community Centre.

 

20th January 2026

Kath Potter and Amy Stanning - How Thornley built the British Empire. 7.30pm St Mary's Community Centre

 

17th February 2026

Martin Lord - Lead Mining in the Ulswater are of the Lake District.

The Greenside lead mine at Glenridding is part of the story, along with other local industries, such as gunpowder manufacturing in Elterwater. 7.30pm St Mary's Community Centre 

 

17th March 2026

Paul Mace - Ancestral involvement in the Crimean War.

A CLHS member,  Paul has traced his ancestors back to this fascinating time in our history.

 

21st April 2026 

Lancashire in 50 Objects - Heather Davis

– in conjunction with the 50 years of the Lancashire Museum Service 50 objects have been chosen to represent Lancashire's History & Heritage. This illustrated talk choses a number of these to tell the story of this great county.