Whitworth Historical Society & Museum

08/10/2026

A big thank you to Pat Fallon, who came along with daughters Susan (left) and Brenda (right) to tell us about his life in Ireland and how he came to the UK, and how he wrote a book called 'Nine Pounds and a Suitcase'. Pat has raised thousands of pounds for charity, and the proceeds of his book will benefit the Derion House Children's Hospice and the Alzheimer's Society. Pat also entertained us with some of his poems and even a song, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who hopes that he will still be that active when he's in his 90s (or can still remember how to get the flash to work on his camera!) 😆

If anyone would like to get hold of Pat's 253 page book, the ISBN number is: 978-1-0369-0449-4 and you can also find an interview with Pat talking about the book in a programme on 'The Irish in the UK TV Show' YouTube channel at the link below (starts at around 3 minutes and runs to about 14 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaGDWZ5TKRQ

05/10/2026

Well the summer passed by quickly, and that long heatwave seems like a distant memory now, but the good news is that now the autumn is here our monthly Talk Night programme resumes again this month, and our first talk of the new season will take place on Wednesday 7th of October 2026.

The talk is entitled “Nine Pounds and a Suitcase” by Pat Fallon

The title is taken from Pat’s recently published autobiography. When Pat, who spent his early life in an orphanage, arrived at Holyhead from Ireland he had just nine pounds in his pocket and a suitcase which had been purchased for 25/- the day before. He travelled directly from Wales to Manchester, and within 24 hours, was hard at work on the Langley Estate in Middleton. During his lifetime, Pat has raised many thousands of pounds for his preferred charities. He tells his own unique story.

Start time will be 7.30pm, and as per usual, this will be held at the Hallfold URC schoolroom on Hall Street. Guests and visitors are more than welcome to attend, and we look forward to welcoming you all back again after the summer break.

12/09/2026

This weekend is the opening weekend of the annual 'Heritage Open Days' event, which takes place from the 11th to the 20th of September. Many venues will be open to the public including our museum, so why not come along and have a look at our Whitworth Doctors exhibition if you haven't already done so. We are open from 11am to 4pm and look forward to seeing you. If you've always meant to pay us a visit but never yet got around to it, today is the ideal day as it looks like being a bit damp out there.

More details about the Heritage Open Days event can be found on their website at: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

05/09/2026

Just a quick reminder, in case anyone still doesn't know, but Sunday 6th September 2026 is the annual Whitworth Rushcart Procession, which starts outside the museum on North Street at 1:00 PM, and makes its way along Market Street to the Ashcroft, where there will be Dancers, dance troupes, live music, stalls, food vendors, and fairground rides to keep the whole family entertained.

If you've never attended one before you don't know what you are missing, and as there are just 4 of these unique events left in the entire country nowadays, this is a tradition to be treasured, maintained and enjoyed.

18/08/2026

Good news for those who were looking forward to the St Bartholomew's Tower Open Day, this has now been rearranged for Saturday 19th of September, from 1130 to 1330.

11/06/2026

Those of you who attended our last monthly talk on the 3rd of June will likely have picked up a copy of our new talks programme for 2026/27, which will begin in October, but for those of you who didn't, or who weren't able to attend, a copy is attached below. You can of course find full details of our lecture programme at any time on the museum's website at: https://www.whitworthhistoricalsociety.org.uk/lectures.htm

01/06/2026

Our next, and I'm sad to say, final talk of the 2025-26 season will take place on Wednesday 3rd of June, but don't worry, we will be back for a new season starting in October. Our talk this time will be on the following subject:

"Blackpool Shipwrecks" by Barry McCann:

Barry McCann looks at some of the notable shipwrecks off the Blackpool Coast during the past 300 years and how Blackpool and the surrounding coastal towns often benefited from them.

As per usual the talk will be held at the URC schoolroom on Hall Street, and the start time 7.30pm. Non-members and visitors are also welcome to attend.

16/05/2026

And after you have visited Bacup Nat, just a few miles up the road, the Rawtenstall Civic Trust are having an Open day at the Weaver's Cottage as well:

Hello everyone!

Great news, we’re opening the Weavers’ Cottage this weekend! Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 4pm!

We’re hoping to have everything ready. New exhibitions as well as our usual displays.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

16/05/2026

In case you are looking for somewhere to go tomorrow, our friends at the Bacup Nat are having an event:

04/05/2026

Here is a reminder that our next monthly lecture night takes place on Wednesday 6th of May 2026, and the details for this month's talk is as follows:

"Happa - how it began” by Amanda Berry

Perhaps surprisingly, the Horse & Pony Protection Association (HAPPA) began in London in 1937 but had its base in Hertfordshire. In 1974 the organisation moved to Greenbank Farm at Fence in Lancashire and finally to Shores Hey Farm at Briercliffe near Burnley where they remain today. Essentially the mission of the charity is to ‘rescue’ horses, ponies and donkeys which have suffered cruelty or neglect and provide them with a safe and secure home. Where possible, HAPPA try to place some of these unfortunate creatures in new and sympathetic homes and give them a second chance. Amanda explains the work of the charity, its pleasures and pressures.

The talk will be held at the Hallfold URC on Hall Street and start time is 7.30pm as per usual. Visitors and non-members are welcome to attend what will be our penultimate meeting of the 2025/26 season.