OLDHAM & DISTRICT PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS
CURRENT PROGRAMME DETAILS HERE
Starting in December 2020 and into early 2022, we had a full programme of online, monthly, Zoom meetings, which were well received by both local attendees and many from further afield. In April 2022, when pandemic restrictions were lifted, we decided to run most of our meetings as hybrids (in person in Oldham Library and simultaneously on zoom).
Initially, as anticipated, there were 'teething problems' and we have introduced new equipment and moved from the Education Suite into the Performance Space where the acoustics appear to be better.
At the moment, we are preferring to use two laptops, for the powerpoint presentations... one in the room and one for zoom, progessing them simultaneously.
We're still working to improve the 'hybrid experience' before we will be completely happy and hope that you will continue to support us both in the library and on zoom.
The programme for 2024 will again be a mix of zoom only, hybrid and library only. This means that we can also invite speakers from outside our local area and, hopefully, offer a programme that satisfies attendees in both the library and on zoom.
Booking to attend via zoom is essential at Eventbrite. No booking is necessary for library attendance.
We continue to look forward to welcoming you to our talks in the months to come.
The Branch Meetings on zoom will remain free to both MLFHS members and non-members alike.
In the Library, for those attending in person, there is free admission for MLFHS members and the usual £3 charge for non-members.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided as you arrive.
If you have not yet joined a zoom meeting and need some help you you can download a couple of .pdf files that explain the process of actually joining a meeting with zoom, and the protocols which help to make the meeting run as smoothly as possible. 'New to Zoom' HERE and our Branch Protocols .HERE
Before travelling to any meetings in the Library, please check, on this page, that there have been no last-minute changes or cancellations.
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2024 PROGRAMME : HERE
2023 PROGRAMME
A Trip to Switzerland in 1916
An illustrated presentation given by Tony Foster
The Switzerland talk is based on trips women from this country made to Switzerland to visit their sons/husbands who had been POWs in Germany. Their trips were made between Oct 1916 - Nov 1917. The costs were covered by a fund established by Lord Northcliffe.
Saturday, 14th October at 2pm
A library-only meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
No booking is necessary
Members free; non-members £3
An illustrated presentation given by Jean Bailo
The Story of their Journey from Eastern Europe to Fairfield Manchester. In this illustrated talk we can follow their progress and learn a little of their philosophy and way of life, their advanced ideas on education and equality, focussing especially on the Moravian Settlement in Fairfield Droylsden. We take a virtual walk around the community as it is today.
Saturday 11th November at 2pm
A hybrid meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library and on zoom.
* Booking essential for attendance on zoom and will be free to all.
* No booking necessary for attendance in the library; members free, non-members £3.
Booking for zoom will be on Eventbrite
NO
MEETING
IN
DECEMBER
A .pdf of the print copy of the 2024 Programme of Meetings is available to download, HERE
Saturday, 13th January, at 2pm
Life and Work in Cotton Lancashire, c1830-1914
What were the major changes in the Lancashire cotton towns during the 19th century and did they affect the roles of men, women and children?
Is it possible to generalise about life and work in them or were they all distinctive?
And how different were these towns from elsewhere in Lancashire or the rest of the country?
This illustrated presentation, given by Dr. Michael Winstanley, seeks to provide answers to these questions.
A free, zoom only meeting... all are very welcome
Booking for zoom is on Eventbrite
Saturday, 10th February, at 2pm
DNA and Ethnicity
Every time Hilary talks about DNA testing she updates her presentation. This talk will still have the essential information you need to get the most out of your results, but it will also look at how - and if - your DNA results can tell you anything about your ethnicity. Typically your ethnicity will relate back many generations, perhaps centuries, so how relevant is it to our family history research?
This illustrated presentation, will be given by Hilary Hartigan.
A free, zoom only meeting... all are very welcome
Booking for attendance on zoom will be on Eventbrite
Saturday, 9th March at 2pm.
Made in Manchester
The astonishing story of how the people of Manchester and its region – including Oldham – shaped the emergence of the modern world, from the Romans to today, will be outlined by Brian Groom, author of the bestselling 'Northerners: A History'.
Based on his forthcoming book, 'Made in Manchester: a People's History of the City that Shaped the Modern World', Brian will talk about individuals, famous or not, who built the region and its culture and ask what part it can play in Britain’s future.
An illustrated presentation given by Brian Groom.
This is a hybrid Meeting, on zoom and in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
In the PerformanceSpace: MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite. All are most welcome.
Saturday, 13th April, at 2pm
Annual Members' Meeting followed by :
Manorial Records of Chadderton : Foxdenton Hall
an illustrated presentation by Michael Lawson.
This is the story of an ancient Hall, built in the mid 15th century, and long associated with the Radcliffe family. The old Hall was pulled down and a new one erected in 1620. In 1922 the grounds were leased to Chadderton Council for use as a park and, in 1960, the Hall itself passed into the ownership the Council and was susequently refurbished in 1965.
This is a hybrid Meeting, on zoom and in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
In the Performance Space : MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite. All are most welcome.
Saturday, 11th May, at 2pm
19th century Boom and Bust- Exploring Business and Family Fortunes.
Let’s consider utilising some of our familiar genealogy sources from a different search angle and see what we can discover. Turning away from traditional family tree building this talk looks at exploring business and family fortunes through elements of a case study. Was your family in business or did they support my ancestors’ retail offerings? Join us to review additional sources in Archives, Libraries and Museums as well as those online that can bring surprising results.
An illustrated presentation to be given by Jackie Depelle.
A free, zoom only meeting... all are very welcome
Booking for zoom will be on Eventbrite.
Saturday, 8th June, at 2pm
Manchester Oddities
an illustrated presentation given by Keith Warrender, the author of the above mentioned book.
Keith's book covers 'oddities' across the Greater Manchester area and a little beyond.
"Oddities come in many different forms... forgotten things that were once commonplace... the unusual and the unique ... follies and wayside memorials... eccentric characters from the past... these are people and places to enjoy and to celebrate..."
(taken from the Introduction to the book)
A library-only meeting in the Education Suite at Oldham Library.
No booking is necessary;
Members free; non-members £3
Refreshments on arrival.
Saturday, 13th July, at 2pm.
A Victorian Society
"A Victorian Society" is about early photography and photographers in Oldham, told against the backdrop of life in what was to become the most productive cotton spinning town in the world. In 1867, when photography was still in its infancy, a group of photographers from Oldham and District met at the Hare and Hounds Inn, Yorkshire Street, and founded the Oldham Photographic Society and some of these men would provide the early photographic studios in the town.
The talk traces the progress of the society and its members, through two world wars to the present day. It answers the questions of who these men were, what they did and describes how some rose to prominence in the world of photography, commerce and manufacturing, some of their businesses achieving national and international importance.
An illustrated presentation to be given by Christine Widdall.
This is a hybrid Meeting, on zoom and in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
In the Performance Space: MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite. All are most welcome.
Saturday, August 10th, at 2pm.
Exploring the Licence Family through Photo Postcards : an Illustrated Journey.
An illustrated presentation given by Linda Hammond.
A free, zoom only meeting... all are very welcome
Booking for zoom will be on Eventbrite.
Saturday, September 14th, at 2pm.
The Manchester Martyrs
An illustrated presentation to be given by Joseph O'Neill.
From the blurb to the book of the same name by Joseph O'Neil:
"An account of the events surrounding the execution of three Fenians known as the Manchester Martyrs. Their execution during a turbulent period of Irish history in 1867 united the Irish people in a patriotic fervour and outrage not matched until 1916. The events surrounding the dramatic rescue of Fenian leaders (resulting in the Martyrs' execution) attracted worldwide attention and sparked anti-British protests across the globe. Their trial is one of the most infamous British court cases of the nineteenth century and their hanging was Britain's last public multiple execution."
Image : Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This is a hybrid Meeting, on zoom and in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
In the Performance Space: MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite. All are most welcome.
Saturday, 12th October, at 2pm.
Hesketh Booth of Oldham
An illustrated presentation to be given by Hilary Hartigan.
Hilary looks into the corners of Victoria’s reign, for this talk, to tell the story of one boy, Hesketh Booth, one-time town clerk of Oldham: family, friends, business acquaintances - what is it that shapes and develops a young man’s career and what footprints does he leave in the history of the town?
A library-only meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday, 9th November, at 2pm
It Happened in Oldham - Darker Stuff
Learn about terrible local accidents, murder, riots and even worse.
An illustrated presentation to be given by Chris Herd.
This is a hybrid Meeting, on zoom and in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
In the Performance Space: MLFHS members free; visitors £3.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite. All are most welcome.
NO
MEETING
PLANNED FOR
DECEMBER
Where to find it ...
Navigate the Branch website pages and see at a glance where you might find what you are looking for, with this site map, HERE