Talks arranged by the society
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, June & September, & the AGM in November will be on Wednesdays starting at 7.30pm. All talks are held in St Mary’s hall, off Church Road. The hall has stepfree access & a large adjacent car park, with bus stops nearby on Church Road. Complimentary refreshments will be served at the afternoon talks.
Thursday 15 th February at 3pm, Ronan Mooney: The practical conservation of pre-1919 buildings Ronan is a conservation expert who has worked on many houses in Woolton. He will be giving his talk on the importance of care for such buildings.
Thursday 21st March at 3pm, Chris Tigwell: The Rainhill Trials Chris had been booked to speak to the WS pre-lockdown, & we are very pleased to welcome him back to our programme. He will be speaking on the Rainhill Trials of 1829, when George Stephenson’s Rocket was first tested.
Wednesday 17 th April at 7.30pm, Ken Pye: A matter of life & death! Very popular local broadcaster Ken Pye will be speaking on the many fascinating graveyards to be found in the city. He will also be bringing a selection of his books for sale.
Wednesday 15 th May at 7.30pm, Tony Banks: The History of the RNLI Tony is Water Safety & Community Presenter for the RNLI & will be speaking on the vital work carried out by this well-loved national institution.
Wednesday 19th June at 7.30pm, Quiz night The sixth annual quiz night will see the 2023 champions The Fantastic Three defending their title. All members are invited to take part & challenge the current holders of the coveted Quiz Cup. There will be prizes!
Sunday 14th July coach tour North Liverpool is uncharted territory to many residents of the southern suburbs, but the tour aims to change this. With a commentary from Blue Badge guide Marie Passey we will set off from Woolton & through the Georgian Quarter towards Everton Park. With a stop to see the stupendous river views from this vantage point on Everton Heights, we will then visit St George’s church on Beacon Lane, a Grade 1 listed building. It is the first cast iron church in the city, being slightly older than St Michaels in the Hamlet. There will be a commentary on the church from Mrs Passey as well as Dr Janet Hollinshead, & tea & biscuits will be provided. An additional snippet of information which may appeal to members is that the churchyard at St George’s is the final resting place of Anne Sharp. She is featured in the book Gomersham Park by Gill Hornby, & was a friend & correspondent of Jane Austen. How she arrived in Everton from Surrey is the subject of some mystery. As the coach tours are hugely popular & oversubscribed bookings will be taken as soon as this newsletter is published. The cost will be £10 for WS members which is more than is usually charged, though still subsidised by the society, but will include a donation to St George’s church. Non members may join the tour but will pay the full price of £17.50.
There will be a Summer break in August, and full details of the talks on Wednesday 18th September & Thursday 17 th October will be provided when speakers are confirmed.
The Annual General meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th November.
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 & clearing away. Early attendance by members is appreciated to enable to allow the talks to start promptly at 3pm or 7.30pm.
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
Members of the society are also entitled to attend talks given by the Merseyside Civic Society.