I regret that I must increase the charges for my talks for 2011 with immediate effect, due mainly to the rise in petrol prices (VAT & duty) which comes in to force on the 4th January 2011.
Bookings already taken for talks in 2011 will be honoured at the agreed rate, although I envisage another rise for 2012 as inflation and fuel costs increase.
The Lancashire Adult College at Alston Hall near Longridge have booked me for three talks during 2011.
Full details from Alston Hall on 01772 784661 or visit www.alstonhall.com
I have produced a new brochure for trips to the Somme, Normandy and Ypres in 2011 – click the link below to download the pdf:
I am presenting a talk entitled ‘Lest we forget – the men from Brindle, Clayton-le-Woods & Whittle-le-Woods who fought in the First World War’.
The talk is at Clayton Green Library, near Chorley and is part of the recently launched Chorley Remembers project, aimed at people wanting to learn more about the sacrifice of local men and perhaps research their own family’s involvement.
Admission is free to the talk which starts at 7.30 p.m., on Tuesday, 9th November, however tickets should be obtained in advance from the Library on 01772 321820 or e-mail: clayton-green.library@lancashire.gov.uk .
Whilst doing research on my family tree (and for a new talk ‘Who do you think I am?’), my sister supplied ‘lost’ details of my father’s Army service in the Second World War.
Photographs of him with the 8th Army in the desert of North Africa (1942 – 43) and in Italy (1944 – 45) have now been donated to the Essex Yeomanry website – see http://www.essex-yeomanry.org.uk/history/picture-gallery-1921-to-1969.html
Gunner Charles Williams served in tanks with the Royal Artillery and with the 519th (Essex Yeomanry) Battery, 104th Royal Horse Artillery in the latter part of the War.
The coach trip to Ypres for Remembrance Day, in conjunction with Rossendale Travel, is fully booked with 48 passengers making the four day trip to Belgium in November.
It will be repeated in 2011, although a price has yet to be confirmed.
Using the format of the popular BBC TV programme ‘Who do you think you are?’ I will be adding a new talk to my 2011 programme entitled ‘Who do you think I am?’.
The illustrated talk covers research into my own family tree, tracing my roots back to the Huguenots in France and includes a Yorkshire wool merchant, a Victorian publican, several policemen, a Bolton tram driver, a soldier killed on the Somme in 1916 and a relative who allegedly went down on the RMS Titanic.
Bookings are being taken for a short coach trip I have organised to the Somme battlefield over the late May Bank Holiday next year.
The four day trip from east and Central Lancashire will visit all the major sites and memorials on the Somme, including the front-line trenches held by the Accrington and Chorley Pals near the village of Serre during 1916. I have changed the hotel in Arras to one which provides a full ‘English’ breakfast, so the 3 * Mecure has replaced the Holiday Inn Express on the itinerary; the cost of the four day trip remains the same at just £219 per person sharing a twin / double room and cabin on the ferry.
My talk about the First World War through different eyes is proving very popular, receiving seven bookings between now and November 2011.
Whilst aimed at ladies groups, it is proving as popular with mixed audiences.
I am flattered to be short-listed for a Chorley ‘Smile’ award under the category of ‘Citizen of the Year’.
The awards are presented annually by Chorley Council and I will know if I have been successful at the awards ceremony, to be held in Astley Park in Chorley on Sunday, 4th July.
