Talks arranged by the society
Please note that the society has the use of St Mary’s hall from 2.30 to 4.30 on Thursdays, & from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesdays, to allow for setting up and clearing away. Early attendance by members is appreciated to enable to allow the talks to start promptly at 3pm or 7.30pm. The hall has step-free access and a large adjacent car park, with bus stops nearby on Church Road. Complimentary refreshments will be served at the afternoon talks from 2.30pm.
Membership forms, if required, are available via the website. If you have any suggestions for speakers, or would be willing to speak on a topic of interest yourself, please contact us by emailing info@wooltonsociety.org.uk
As usual the talks in February, March & October will be held on Thursday afternoons, starting at 3pm, so avoiding the dark evenings.
The talks in April, May & September, the Quiz Night in June & the AGM in November will be on Wednesdays starting at 7.30pm.
Fuller details of talks later in the year will be
in newsletters 374 (March) & 375 (June), on the website, Instagram, and
on the notice board in the village centre beside the former Coast
café.
Thursday 20th February at 3pm, Judy Kinnin: The forced
repatriation of Chinese seamen in 1945/6
In a talk postponed from
last September, Judy Kinnin will be speaking on her life-long search
for information about her father. He disappeared from her life when
she was only eighteen months old, with no explanation given to his
wife, along with hundreds of other Chinese seamen who had worked for
the British navy during wartime. The truth about his disappearance
is shocking, and was featured in a BBC television programme: “DNA
Family secrets.”
Thursday 20 th March at 3pm, Martin Land: The
Mersey Tidal Power Project
Developing the tidal force of our river
could mean generating enough power for thousands of homes and the
creation of many local jobs. The region could become a worldwide
centre of excellence in a vital 3 industry of the future. Martin
Land will be speaking on the chance to deliver a cleaner and greener
future for generations to come.
Wednesday 16 th April at 7.30pm, Ken
Pye: Beer, Bars & Boozers
The popular speaker and local broadcaster
Ken Pye will be returning to speak on Liverpool’s numerous pubs,
bars & alehouses. He will be bringing a selection of his own books
for sale.
Wednesday 21st May at 7.30pm, Paul Wilkie: Liverpool, Home
of Citizens Advice.
Paul is the society’s long serving deputy
chairman and secretary. He is also vice-chairman of the local CA
and will be speaking on the history of the organisation and vital role it plays.
Wednesday 18th June at 7.30pm, Quiz night
The seventh annual quiz night will see the 2024 and 2023 champions The Fantastic Four defending their
title. All members are invited to take part and challenge the current holders of the coveted Quiz Cup.
There will be prizes!
Summer outing
An outing is being planned for July, with details in the next issue of the newsletter.
Summer break in August
Wednesday 17th September at 7.30pm, Eric Cohen: The history of the Princes Road Synagogue
Liverpool once had a large and vibrant Jewish community largely based in the city centre, with this
synagogue built in 1874. However, in the twentieth century the community started to move away to the
suburbs, such as Childwall and Mossley Hill, with new synagogues built there. The shul on Princes Road
has recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with a programme of talks and events. Synagogue elder and
guide Eric Cohen will be taking us on a virtual tour of this breathtaking building, built in the Moorish
Revival style by architect George Audsley.
Thursday 16th October at 3pm, Alastair Baker: The work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The CWGC is concerned with the care and upkeep of many thousands of war graves, with several in
Woolton cemeteries. It honours and cares for the graves of the men and women of the commonwealth forces
who died in wars, ensuring that they will never be forgotten.
Wednesday 19th November at 7.30 pm: the fifty second annual general meeting. All society members are invited to the AGM.
There will be refreshments after the business of the evening is concluded.
Members of the society are also entitled to attend talks given by the Merseyside Civic Society.