Speaker Meetings

On Thursday 5th September, at 10.30 am in Christ Church Ministry Centre, Harold Hoggarth will speak about The Civil War in Lancashire.

Lancashire resident Harold has been delivering talks to community groups for over 12 years. He speaks on a wide range of topics including local history, music, theatre and puppetry, ornithology and geology. Through his talks he raises money for five different charities including Romania, RNLI, Bible Society, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis and Cap (Christians Against Poverty).

Harold writes

Harold Hoggarth

The English Civil War lasted from 1642 until 1660. Lancashire at that time was divided into six regions called “Hundreds” Of the six Hundreds of Lancashire only Salford and Blackburn were on the Parliamentary side. In the early part of the war, people in Lancashire generally volunteered to fight for their own principles even when these split communities and sometimes even families. Lancashire played a leading part in the course of the war in the North of England and so it is worth knowing about.

This talk and the accompanying PowerPoint was prepared by my friend Bill Wilson before he moved to Canada. He then left it with me to deliver on his behalf.

 

Then on 7th November, at 10.30 am in Christ Church, our own U3A member John Winter will speak about his book: Blame it on the Beatles – and Bill Shankly

As a student in Liverpool during the nineteen sixties John Winter become involved with the music scene as a songwriter.  He was there in 1968 when Paul McCartney made a secret visit to The Cavern Club.  Faith Brown and ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton recorded his songs.   His sister-in-law got letters from Paul McCartney, written when The Beatles were still unknown.   He stood on The Kop and cheered Bill Shankly’s team as they emerged from the old Second Division to hold their own with the best in Europe, and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’was heard at Anfield for the very first time.

Illustrating his talk with slides, John will tell you how these experiences provided the background material for his book, which looks through the eyes of a group of young teenagers and shows how the fame of The Beatles, and the success of Liverpool FC under the charismatic Bill Shankly, affected their lives – and changed the world.

Come along to Christ Church and rekindle your memories of that magical decade.   After the talk John will be signing copies of his book.

“I thought this book was great.   If you lived through those times first hand it will take you straight back to the streets and the clubs – and the dripping ceiling of The Cavern.   And if you weren’t there, it will make you will feel as though you were!”    

I would be very pleased to hear from any members who would like to give a talk, or maybe you remember a past speaker you would like to hear from again.

Please email any ideas to speakerteam@aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk  or phone 07974 749362.

A Message from the Speaker Secretary:

• These meetings are open to the public.  So do invite your friends even if they are not U3A members.
• Parking can be tricky on Thursday mornings.  So, if you can, please consider car-sharing or alternative modes of transport.  The handy half-hourly  310 Ormskirk – Liverpool bus stops very nearby on Holborn Hill. Some members ‘get active’ and walk, while a few even cycle now and then.

Much appreciation and hearty thanks to Sue Watkinson, who has recently ‘retired’ from the Speaker Secretary role, for a wonderful series of Speaker Meetings over her time of office. The variety and quality of the speakers arranged by Sue was truly excellent. Please take a few minutes to view and recall the extensive and interesting range of Past Speaker Meetings organised by Sue (as well a few from her predecessors).