My New Walks

 So here are the details of the two walks around Pontefract that I'm now offering

 I'm pleased to say my guided walk around Pontefract for the Boroughbridge Historical Society went off very well, well I would say that wouldn't I?

A new venture for me and I enjoyed the challenge of condensing a millennium of history into a 90 minute talk/walk.

                                                  Pontefract Buttercross

In other news, it being August a lot of societies aren't meeting so it's a quiet time for talks. One this morning to Thorner Probus but nothing now until September when things are back to normal, four in September and no fewer than nine in October, with the Gunpowder Plot being the most requested.

It also includes a few new organisations, the Escrick Heritage Project and West Cowick Ladies Guild being just two whom I've not spoken to before.

I'm starting to think about putting together a new talk, the History  of the British Coinage System is one possibility, an explanation of just where did we get those pounds shillings and pence from, now long-gone since the advent of the decimal coinage we now use every day.

                                                      George III Gold Guinea

 Last April I gave a talk to the Boroughbridge and District Historical Society and when they mentioned they were planning an organised society trip to Pontefract, my home town, I offered to be their guide for the day.

Consequentially, I am now in the process of putting together a morning's tour of what I  hope will be the most interesting parts of the town.

This will be similar to the tour I had planned around the town's almshouses, before the Covid restrictions made such things impossible, but which I may now resurrect.

Both these are new ventures for me. although I have done the Almshouse tour once, for the Pontefract Family History Society, and  I have offered to repeat it for the Pontefract Civic Society's annual Heritage Programme.

In other news, the talk programme is progressing satisfactorily, with some old friends such as Harrogate Probus and Thornton Antiquarian Society, and new ones like Hemsworth Probus and West Wolds U3A, all booking talks for this year, and Aireborough Civic Society and York Probus getting in early with bookings for 2023.

I am constantly revising and fine-tuning my talks, both to meet groups expectations or to impart some new aspect, such as a recent revision to Votes for Women to describe the difficulties, especially for women, in obtaining a divorce prior to 1857.

 

Things, it seems, are gradually getting back to normal.

Since Christmas I've given face-to-face talks to, amongst others, Ackworth Heritage Group; Harlow Hill Men's Forum; Craven U3A; Leeds Probus and Shadwell Country Womens' Association.

I still have a few Zoom bookings left over from more restricted times, Carmarthenshire 50 have been steadily working their way through my entire repatoire, but it does seem that a measure of normality is now returning, long may it continue.

I certainly haven't been without bookings throughout the Covid years and Model Villages, The Story of the English Canals, The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun and Crime and Punishment continue to top the charts.

Between now and the end of June I have over 20  talks booked, all but 3 of them will be in-person and I'm pleased to welcome some new groups including the Probus Club of Worksop; Aireborough Civic Society; the Beverley National Women’s Register, the Marston Moor YCA Group and the Worsbrough Wifes group.

I look forward to meeting them all and making some new friends.

Thank you to all the groups who have contiued to support me despite the troubled times we've been through.

Oh and I've got a brand new screen, slightly bigger than my old one so my presentations should be even better.

 Well that's another year almost over, and what a strange one it's been.

It's been mostly Zoom presentations, but some groups have started meeting in person, and I'm especially grateful to:

Thornton Antiquarian Society;

Boothferry Local & Family History Group;

Sherburn and Ripon U3As and the

Yorkshire Country Women's Association for bringing a sense of normality back into my talks' programme.

However, it seems this was a false dawn as the New Year will soon be upon us and in light of the latest developments my first few talks are reverting to the Zoom platform.  

Whichever way my groups, old and new, decide to meet rest assured I will always be there to entertain and inform with my extensive range of talks.

To all my clients I wish a Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

I recently stumbled across a plaque recording a march from Edinburgh to London in support of female emancipation, must consider incorporating it into my 'Votes for Women' talk.

I've already revised it once again, this time to describe a break-away movement from the prominent suffrage organisation, the Women's Social and Political Union, that of the Women's Freedom League.

The League was famous for what became to be called 'the grille incident' when female protesters chained themselves to the grille of the women's gallery of the House of Commons.

This is now version 3 of the talk, with 50 PowerPoint slides and I think it is better than before.

Book it for your organisation, either by Zoom or in person, and see what you think.

 I don't usually do this but just for once................

Thank you so much - great talk and interesting discussion - which is just what we want!

We all enjoyed the session

 Crime and Punishment to the Leicester Secular Society                               

October 2020

★

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your fascinating talk this afternoon.

I am already receiving positive comments from the audience, so you can be assured we all enjoyed it. My husband and I found it really interesting and as several others commented, we learnt such a lot of new information.

 Remembrance to Huntingdon U3A Group

November2020

★

Thank you again for such an interesting talk which we all enjoyed.

If I can offer any help in rating it to assist you in getting more bookings, I will happily do so.

 The  Gunpowder Plot to Mole Valley Probus

November 2020

★

Thank you for your excellent talk this evening I think it went down very well. I think the question and answer session cemented the fact that you know your subject very well.

Stay Safe On-Line to Chanctonbury Probus Club

November 2020

★

 I had good feedback from your talk last night . The people who contacted me afterwards said they enjoyed it.

It lasted just long enough and the slides did enhance the talk .                                                  

 Votes for Women to Harrogate Bloomers WI

November 2020

★

I’ve had several e-mails from folk saying that they enjoyed your talk

The Pontefract Murder to Bedale Archaeology & History Soc

December 2020

★          

We very much enjoyed your talk this morning.

The History  of the English Canals to Alsager & District U3A

January 2021

★

Thank you for your talk on Guy Fawkes, everyone thought it was fascinating. We enjoyed it so much we would like to ask you if you could do your suffragette talk for our meeting on 3rd March

 The Gunpowder Plot to Barnsley Opals WI

November 2020

★

It was a wonderful talk and I have had a number of emails stating how much people enjoyed it.

After You're Dead to the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society

March 2021

★

We have had a run of good speakers and you did not disappoint. I've had so much positive feedback. Gordon's was typical. He commented to another member that it left him wanting more. Always a good sign. 

 Model Villages to Haxby & Wigginton U3A

March 2021