Together with Devon Family history Society, FHSC is delighted to welcome Professor Ronald Hutton to the Seminar Series. Prof Hutton is an expert in historical paganism, folklore, and modern paganism and it is on that subject that he will be talking. Hutton will explore the history of British festivals from the earliest written records to the present day, covering a wide range of traditions including May Day, Midsummer, Hallowe'en, and the twelve days of Christmas. This is certain to be an excellent talk.

This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st  July when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 13 July.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS

Sheila Jones, the Honorary Secretary of FHSC, will be talking about Conscientious Objectors in the First World War. Exploring the history of Conscientious Objectors (COs) provides a fascinating look at the struggle between individual conscience and state demands. Sheila's presentation on Conscientious Objectors during the First World War explores the experiences of men who refused conscription following the 1916 Military Service Act. Her talk covers their moral, religious, or political motives, the hostile tribunals they faced, and the harsh conditions of imprisonment they endured and draws on some individual cases, including a number from Cheshire. A fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking topic.

This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st August when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 17th August.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS

Something a bit different this month. As the title suggests this is an A-Z of funny stories seen from the Police service to the public. Martin says: ‘As they say, "nothing as strange as folk"  and believe me you could not 'script' some of the activities.’ 

A time to laugh a time to cry, a time to live and a time to die. You experience every aspect of human life as a police officer and Martin has been sharing those experiences with audiences across the county and on cruise ships. Although the subjects appear serious, Martin says, every story contains humour/human nature and intriguing true life events. This should be an entertaining and light heart evening. So, register today and sit back for a relaxed evening.

This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1^st September when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 14th September.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS

What children eat at school has long been a matter of political debate, social concern, and everyday experience. Since the introduction of the School Meals Service in 1906, meals served in schools have been used to tackle malnutrition, reduce inequality, and promote social inclusion. They have also been the site of controversy, from free milk in the 1940s to Jamie Oliver’s campaign against Turkey Twizzlers, and today’s calls for universal free school meals.

This lecture explores how policy, practice, and lived experience have shaped school dining across the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. With reference to new oral histories, archival evidence, and ethnographic studies in contemporary schools, the lecture highlights the emotional and sensory dimensions of mealtimes as well as their wider social and cultural meanings. At stake is more than what children eat. School meals open a window onto questions of inequality, poverty, community, and the politics of care.

This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1^st October when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 19th October.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS

Family History Through the Eyes of Great Novelists! Have you ever wondered what the great novelists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries can teach us about our ancestors?

Join us as Dave Annal takes a fascinating exploration of family history hidden within the pages of some of Britain's best-loved novels. Drawing on the works of authors including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Emily Brontë, and Wilkie Collins, Dave reveals how fiction can provide remarkable insights into the lives, experiences, and challenges faced by our ancestors. Using extracts covering subjects such as family relationships, birth, baptism, marriage, work, education, travel, and family research, Dave demonstrates how novelists can help us understand the social realities behind the records we use every day. Along the way, we encounter family trees, agricultural labourers, Victorian city streets, and even a Dickens character who could be described as one of the earliest family historians.

The talk concludes with a piece of advice from Great Expectations that every genealogist should remember: "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There is no better rule." Whether you are a lover of classic literature, an enthusiastic family historian, or simply curious about how fiction can illuminate the past, this promises to be a thought-provoking and enjoyable presentation.

This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1^st November when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 16th November.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS

Join us for our annual FHSC Christmas Quiz, a relaxed and enjoyable evening packed with festive cheer, friendly competition, and the occasional genealogical challenge!

Whether you're a seasoned family historian, a quiz enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun way to spend an evening with fellow members, there's something for everyone. Don't worry if you don't know all the answers, the quiz is all about taking part, sharing a few laughs, and enjoying the company of friends old and new.

As in previous years, we'll be using Zoom breakout rooms, giving everyone the chance to work together in small teams. It's a wonderful way to meet fellow members from across Cheshire and beyond, combine your knowledge, and enjoy plenty of conversation along the way. Many members tell us that the team discussions are just as much fun as the quiz itself!

We'll be mixing Christmas trivia, family history questions, general knowledge, and a few surprises along the way. Teams will be organised on the night, so all you need to do is join us and we'll take care of the rest.

So put on your favourite Christmas jumper, pour yourself a seasonal drink, and join us for what has become one of the highlights of the FHSC calendar.

Good company, plenty of laughs, a chance to make new friends, and absolutely no homework required!

This event is for FHSC members only. Registration opens on 1^st December when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Registration will close on 14th December.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.

If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.