Events

Events

Mourholme Lecture Programme 2025-2026
Note new venue

Meetings are held in Gaskell Hall, 17 Emesgate Lane, Silverdale, LA5 0RA  at 7.30 pm unless otherwise stated
Our talks generally finish by 9 pm  

Come and join us, as a member or as a visitor.
Annual membership Single        £10
Annual membership Couple      £18
Visitors to a single meeting         £2

 

October 29th Harriet Martineau - Terry Bond 

A brief insight into the life of this Victorian author, feminist and political economist who travelled to the USA before settling in Ambleside and becoming a keen walker.  A contemporary of many noted Victorians and one of the founders of the movement of equality for women.

November 26th Dungeons, Debtors and Death A Dark History of Lancaster Castle - Gregory Wright 

Today the Courtyard of Lancaster Castle is a safe place to relax, it was not always that way.  The talk will highlight the building's fascinating but often grim history. 

December 17th Ice Houses and the International Trade in Ice - R David 

An illustrative talk about the ice houses of North Lancashire and Cumbria and the almost forgotten international trade in ice during the 19th Century. The talk also includes information about the experiment in 1980 when Levens Hall ice house was filled with ice for the first time in over 100 years. 

January 28th Beyond the Law - Michael Winstanley

Crime and policing in North Lancashire and Cumbria in the 19th century

February 25th Carnforth Haematite Iron Works - Phil Baggley 

A study of iron and steelmaking employed at Carnforth between 1866 and 1930.  65 years of innovation process development boom and bust

March 25th Gandhi's Northern Holiday - Nick Burton 

The fascinating tale of Mahatma Gandhi's weekend 'Up North' in September 1931, during which he visited Lancashire and the West Riding and stayed in a Quaker guest house at the invitation of a Darwen Mill owner 

April 29th The Local Finds of a Metal Detectorist - Nigel Law

A look at our local and national history via metal detecting finds in the local area.  It will cover the modern age, back through the Georgians. medieval, early medieval including Saxon/Viking, the Romans and Celts.

This will be proceeded by a short AGM

Other Events Nearby

Silverdale Hoard on display until 29 March link to booking below

Museum of Liverpool currently have on display within their Treasure: History Unearthed, a number of hoards including the Silverdale Hoard.

March 

Sat 7th 7.30pm Gaskell Hall £5 on the door in aid of Gaskell Hall upkeep
Memories of Silverdale in old photographs 1890 to 1975 from Mike Moon and a historical perspective from Terry Bond.

Mon 16th 7.30pm Burton in Kendal Memorial Hall £3 for visitors

The tides of Morecambe Bay and the Kent Estuary - Mike Warren

Tues 17th 6.30pm – 7.30pm Carnforth Library no cost
Talk by volunteers from the Carnforth Library Heritage Project about the remarkable story of the Carnforth’s early female librarians.
Book your place by email to friendsofcarnforthlibrary@gmail.com or visit the library. 

Wed 18th 7.15pm Gaskell Hall no cost
Adrian Waddington will be launching his book First Kings
Forged by Vikings in England and Wales more details about his book are here

Thurs 19th 6.30pm – 7.30pm Bolton-le-Sands Library no cost 

Enslaved African maidservants, Quaker slave merchants and African American Abolitionists: New Perspectives on Women's History in Lancashire 1740-1865. A talk by Lancaster Black History Group.

 

Other Events

Arnside Lectures
https://www.arnsidevillage.co.uk/?s=lecture+Group

Judges Lodgings Lancaster Events
https://lancasterjudgeslodgings.org.uk/events/

Walks and Talks in Lancaster
https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/museums/whats-on/talks