A Victorian Policeman, by Hilary Hartigan
From a Cheshire village to the Lancashire Constabulary, follow the remarkable story of William Salthouse — a Victorian policeman whose encounter with a gang of burglars changed the course of his life.
William Salthouse was born near Nether Alderley in 1845, attended the village school and began his working life as a gardener. But in his early twenties he exchanged rural Cheshire for a very different life when he joined the Lancashire Constabulary.
In June 1870, while serving as a young police constable, William came upon a burglary in progress. The violent encounter that followed made headline news, brought him public recognition — and had consequences that would shape the rest of his working life.
Using family history research, contemporary records and the places William knew, Hilary traces her great-grandfather's journey from Nether Alderley to Victorian policing, and discovers what happened after the headlines faded.
Date: 7 October 2026
Day: Wednesday, 10.30am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Hilary Hartigan
Booking: Eventbrite
Cost: members - free of charge
Cost: non-members - £5
Royal Manchester College of Music, by Anna Wright
Manchester had long been a city of music, but establishing a college where musicians could be trained required more than the vision of one celebrated conductor. Behind Charles Hallé stood a network of supporters and benefactors, drawn from the city's business, cultural and philanthropic communities, whose contribution has often been overshadowed by his famous name.
Drawing on her research into the foundation of the Royal Manchester College of Music, Dr Anna Wright takes us into those networks and the society in which they operated. Who gave their time, influence and financial support to the new College? What brought them together, and how important were they to its success? This talk reveals a much richer story of collaboration behind an institution that became an enduring part of Manchester's musical life.
Date: 7 October 2026
Day: Wednesday, 1.00pm
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Dr Anna Wright
Booking: Eventbrite
Cost: members - free of charge
Cost: non-members - £5
Tracing Your Army Ancestors, by Carol Lee
Welcome to another talk in our Explore! series, designed for beginners, intermediate researchers, and anyone who is always eager to discover more.
Carol shares with you her experiences of looking for information relating to servicemen in her own family, and this second talk will look at Army records and other sources which can help to tell the stories of our ancestors who served in both World Wars.
Date: 7 November 2026
Day: Saturday, 10.30am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Carol Lee
Booking: Eventbrite
Cost: members - free of charge
Cost: non-members - £5
