Spring Potpourri Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Spring “Potpourri of Social History” talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00). You may also book each talk individually – see each separate event page. All three talks are on Thursdays at 2pm and last about an hour. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion. This is an online talks series using Zoom.
Thursday 24 April “Ratcatchers“: 2 – 3.15pm with David Cufley
The 19th century saw a rapid rise in urbanisation, often resulting in overcrowding and congestion. This not only made things difficult for humans, but created an enticing environment for rodents. Rats threatened food supply and carried a potential risk of disease. As a result, and to combat this, a new profession arose – the rat catcher. This new industry was highly sought after, and in turn gave rise to modern rodent control. Speaker David Cufley will describe how the ratcatchers plied their trade and earned their money, including sporting events involving rats that took place in pubs.
Thursday 22 May “Stories from Berkshire’s Graveyards“: 2 – 3.15pm with Catherine Sampson
Berkshire’s graveyards are packed with history and stories. We begin with a virtual visit to a typical churchyard to examine its layout and the features which were common across the county. Our stroll through the county’s burial grounds then takes take us to Basildon, Maidenhead, Longcot, Bisham and Cholsey, as we discover the cemeteries there and the occupants who link us to some of the more poignant local and national tragedies of the past hundred and fifty years. This will include victims of the sinking of the Lusitania and the Titanic, and their stories. Plus, the possible murder victim of a notorious blackmailer of Britain’s wealthier classes.
Thursday 26 June “Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs: the lives of our C17th ancestors“: 2 – 3.15pm with Dr Janet Few
‘Why do you need a bum roll?’ ‘What colour were carrots in the seventeenth century?’ ‘Can you think of 47 uses for urine?’ Supplying the answers to the above (well, maybe not all 47 uses), this talk is a light-hearted but informative insight into the domestic life of our seventeenth century ancestors.
Zoom Talk Requirements
To join these talks, you will need a computer device with speakers. Ideally, also a webcam and microphone. You also need to be able to access the internet from it. First-time users of Zoom, will need to download a small piece of software – included in the link.
How to Book
Pre-booking is required because places are limited. Full joining instructions will be emailed to attendees in advance. Bookings close one day before the first event.
To book – scroll down.
Date
- Thu 24 Apr 2025
Tickets
- £12.50
Organiser
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The Centre - Berkshire FHS
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
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Catherine Sampson MScCatherine is a veteran family historian. Her own family history research is mainly concentrated in East Anglia and the North-East.
She loves history across all periods, both the very early and the more modern. She is a keen social historian and regularly gives talks across Berkshire and the surrounding counties.
Catherine is Chairman and Projects Coordinator for Berkshire Family History, and a former chairman of Project Purley, Purley’s local history society. She has published several histories of her own family and in 2010 edited “Purley in Old Images”. She is currently working on a new book on the history of Purley’s River Estate.
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Dr Janet FewHistory Interpreter – Writer – Speaker – ResearcherJanet is an experienced and qualified family, social and community historian who lectures regularly on these subjects throughout the UK and overseas. She has spoken at many national and international genealogical events and is also a well known author.
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David CufleyKent based tutor and speakerDavid Cufley is former President of North West Kent Family History Society. He is a member of a number of other family history societies and the British Brick Society.
David has been researching his family since 1966 when he worked in London, where he took advantage of his lunch hours to visit archives and Somerset House.He is a retired Professional Structural Engineer and has a BA(Hons) degree and a MSc degree in building conservation.
His main interests are the CUF(F)LEY one name study worldwide, building history and compiling the Brickmakers Index. David is interested in his ancestor’s other trades, which include ratcatching and calico printing.
David has spoken to and written for family history societies and other organisations on family history subjects. He also leads workshops for family historians.