The following talks are scheduled for 2025

Our  speaker and Society member, Richard Smith, is conducting ongoing  research into all the men listed on the Great War Roll of Honour of  Standeven & Co. Ltd. His talk will focus on some of those who served  and died, and some who returned. Incorporated in 1885 by founding  partners John William Standeven and Sam Earnshaw, the company  manufactured woollen cloth. The firm was located originally at Mixenden  Mill, then to Ellen Royde Mills and finally in 1905 to Ladyship Mills,  just down Old Lane from Boothtown.At  its height the business employed 700 people undertaking all the  processes from raw material to finished articles. Processes included  combing, drawing, spinning, weaving and finishing. The cloths ranged  from tropical goods to 32oz coatings. Special attention was devoted to  export trade and the business had direct resident representatives in  Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, the United States of  America and South Africa. Continental business was also well looked  after. During World War II they produced material for army uniforms. The  business closed in 1969,although the Standeven brand carries on  

Richards  talk will cover the story of the author, Erich Maria Remarque, and the  story of the book including its three film adaptations 

From  Gettysburg to Appomattox, Rob will describe the actions involving a  Confederate Brigade led by a General whose ancestors came from  Calderdale 

 Corinne's  talk will cover the measures taken in Halifax in anticipation of an  outbreak of hostilities involving attacks on civilians by bomb &  poison gas 

 David's  subject is Sir Marmaduke Langdale, the Yorkshire Cavalier, who fought  at Marston Moor and, after the Restoration, was made Lord Lieutenant of  the West Riding by King Charles II 

 Ian's heritage includes a family with six brothers who all served in World War One. His talk will tell their story 

...of The Old West - John will describe the reality of the “Wild West” which has been fictionalised in

countless Westerns, both films and books.

Summer break

Now located at Salt's Mill, Saltaire, the talk will cover the history, goals, and work of the museum which aims to tell the story of peace movements.

The story of 6th June 1944 on a 50 mile stretch of Normandy Coast divided into five sectors, Utah,

Omaha, Gold, Juno & Sword

Located at the University of Huddersfield and developed in partnership with the Leeds based

Holocaust Survivors' Friendship Association, this talk will cover refugees who settled in the West Riding

Plenty of Food, Something to Drink, & Lots of Conviviality bring our 2025 season to a close