Congleton Museum
Talks
Sue Dorman Room, Congleton Museum at 7.30 pm
Friends of the Museum may reserve two places for each talk, subject to availability.
There is no charge
for Friends to attend the talks, but a £2 charge will be made for
guests who are not Friends.
As space is limited, booking is essential, by phone, email or in person.
If
you later find that you are unable to attend, please contact the museum
so that
we may release your place to someone else.
Join the Friends of Congleton Museum
Friday 24th February
Who Lived in a House Like This? Behind the Scenes
Lyndon Murgatroyd
Explore the making of Lyndon Murgatroyd's latest book as he illustrates some of the problems he came up against while preparing "Who Lived in a House Like This?". Problems with sources used and bizarre examples of how information was obtained will be highlighted. Lyndon will also pose some unanswered questions, discuss feedback from purchasers and review how proceeds have been distributed.
Friday 23rd March
The True Story of Little Bess
Catherine Haworth
Little Bess appears in Head's "History of Congleton" as someone who helped victims of the 1641 plague, but for some time nothing else was known of her. However, Catherine Haworth has uncovered items in the Borough Account Book mentioning this caring and selfless woman, which has enabled her to construct something of Bess' life story and which show that she was an interesting and unusual character.
Friday 27th April
Turnpike Roads of Cheshire
Dr. Keith Lawrence
From the first 'Justice Trust' set up in Cheshire in 1705, Dr Lawrence will describe the gradual growth and subsequent decline of the turnpike trusts in Cheshire. Initially these trusts tended just to just improve existing main roads; it was really only from the 1800s that re-aligned and new roads were built. Along with the turnpikes came the toll houses and milestones and roadside furniture – surviving examples will be shown. The people of the turnpike trusts, from the trustees to the toll collectors will also be covered.