Category: News Archive

I can now be contacted on 0845 463 8463 – calls are charged local rate.

My next public talks is at Lancaster Library on Saturday, 6th July when I am giving my talk “Rails to the Lancashire Coast”; it starts at 2.00 p.m. and admission is free.

Nearly half the places on my battlefield trip to The Western Front in May 2014 have been sold.

An itinerary and a booking form can be found by clicking here or call 01254 854298 for details.

The planned trip to the WW1 battlefields in France and Belgium is back on again.

Specialist group travel company, Yorkshire based Airedale Tours, have come back with prices far better than a number of Lancashire based coach companies quoted.

They also have enabled me to add value to the trip by way of free cabin upgrade on the overnight ferry and, importantly, offer free travel insurance.

Details can be found by downloading the information here:

• 2014 Western Front Experience Letter & Booking Form

I have pulled my battlefield trip in May 2104 due to the coach / travel company Alfa Travel Ltd of Chorley raising their prices by £110 per person in a double / twin and a staggering £200 for single occupancy.

They are “blaming” the price increase on P&O (North Sea Ferries). Needless to say I am not very happy.

Those 16 people that have booked with me will have their cheques returned – I was just about to hand everything over to Alfa at their offices late on Friday afternoon when they advised me of the increase, totally out of the blue.

However, I have been busy over the weekend researching a suitable / alternative coach company that will meet my standards; I have identified four and forwarded my itinerary / requirements.

As soon as I have quotes back, I will post details here.

I have revamped my talks, finally coming up with a definitive list of 26.

I am adding a new talk “Italian reflections”, once I come back from my holiday to the Italian Lakes and the Dolomites in late September.

Download my brochure here.

I sympathise with those trying to find and book speakers, as there does not seem to be a list around – until now.

The Lancashire Local History Federation have produced one and I offer it here as a download (with acknowledgement to Bob Dobson at the LLHF – www.lancashirehistory.org).

• LLHF List of Speakers – March 2013

I am busy working on a new, permanent exhibition down at Astley Hall in Chorley.

Called the Chorley Remembers ‘Experience’, the Lottery funded exhibition is set to open at Easter.

Covering 1,250 square feet, it will feature the town’s involvement in conflicts over the years and will include a First World War trench and dug-out.

My 2013 brochure is now available and includes new talks – “Malta GC” about the history of the mediterranean island, “The road to the Menin Gate” about the iconic First World War memorial at Ypres in Belgium, and “The Somme” covering the 1916 battle.

Please note that I will not available in September 2013, due to spending a few weeks away travelling around Europe – hopefully getting some inspiration for future talks i.e. “The Italian Lakes”, as well as adding images to my “Travels in France” talk.

Whilst on my travels, I will also be doing some research / reconnaissance for battlefield trips in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

• Steve Williams Talks Brochure 2013-14

Due to my involvement with the Chorley Remembers heritage project, I will not be doing a battlefield trip in 2013.

However, I am planning a First World War ‘Western Front’ tour for late May 2014, taking in the Trench of Death at Dixsmuide, the Ypres Salient, Arras, Vimy Ridge, Loos, Cambrai and the Somme battlefields.

In 2015, I am planning a World War Two trip to take in Dunkirk, Dieppe and Normandy – again in late May. If there is sufficient interest, I may repeat my successful ‘Ypres on Remembrance Day’ trip to be at the Menin Gate in Ypres on the 11th November.

2016 sees the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July. On the 90th anniversary, back in 2006, I ran a coach trip to be in the Accrington / Burnley / Chorley Pals trenches at Serre at 7.30 a.m. I am planning a similar trip, but due to the restrictions on travel and security (VIP) issues, as well as the cost and the fact that the Euro 2016 football championships are being held in France at the same time, the trip may be over the a late May Bank holiday.

Please email me to register your interest. A brochure and booking form for the 2014 trip will be available in February 2013.