Winter Potpourri of Social History Talks
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Winter “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 28 January “At Home in Broadmoor“: 2-3.15pm with Dr Alison Pedley
What was everyday life like for the women who lived, and worked, in Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum? This talk will explore life in the ‘Women’s Division’ or ‘Female Wing’ of Broadmoor during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. It looks beyond the reasons why women were admitted to discover what living in the Asylum was like. What did the women do with their days? How did they spend their time, and what did they read, talk about and argue about? Alongside the patients’ experiences, the talk will also consider the lives of the female attendants, their work, and their relationships within the institution. The talk tells the story of the female side of Broadmoor: not simply an asylum, but a place where women lived and worked, formed friendships and were cared for and managed—and, for many, spent much of their lives.
Thursday 25 February “A Brief History of Thatcham” 2-3.15pm with Dr Nick Young
This talk traces the story of Thatcham from the earliest Palaeolithic finds to the present day. It explores the hunter-gatherer communities who lived here, a hillfort and ancient trackways. Plus, the development of Thatcham through the Roman and Saxon periods, including the origins of the modern town centre. The story continues through the medieval and later history of the town, including the church, Chamberhouse Castle, Dunston House, local industries and traditions such as the Maypole and anvil firing. Finally, the talk looks at the dramatic population and housing growth of the 20th century, and how Thatcham developed from a small market town into the commuter town it is today.
Thursday 25 March “The Wantage Tramway: Britain’s first and worst steam tramway“: 2-3.15pm with Dr Richard Marks
In 1871, under the newly minted Tramways Act, a modest railway was proposed that would quietly make history. The Wantage Tramway Company became the first tramway in the world to be hauled by steam power — a light railway in name, but a heavyweight in influence. From its earliest days, the company embraced experimentation, trialling a range of traction methods and pushing the boundaries of what a rural tramway could be. But this was more than just a transport story. The Wantage Tramway was deeply woven into the fabric of the town — supporting local businesses, caring for its staff, and fostering a close, collaborative relationship with the mighty Great Western Railway. This talk explores its social, economic, and technical legacy. Find out how a small railway left a big mark and why its story still resonates today.
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.
Image: Catherine Sampson
To book – scroll down.
- Thu 28 Jan 2027
Tickets
- £12.50
Category
Organiser
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The Family Research Centre
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/local-teams/
Speakers
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Dr Richard MarksIndustrial, Military and Railway HistorianRichard is a published historian based in Berkshire who specialises in industrial, military, and railway history and also the history of science. His current areas of research are industrial development in the Victorian period, the development of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the mid to late 19th Century and the history of British Rail. He has a PhD in economic history. Richard’s books on British Rail Engineering and the Wantage Tramway Company were both published by Pen and Sword in 2024.
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Dr Alison PedleySenior Honorary Research Fellow, School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at University of RoehamptonAlison researched the institutional experiences of ‘criminally-insane’, infanticidal mothers in Victorian England and Wales for both her 2020 thesis and 2023 monograph. This research has encompassed research into third-party institutions which had an impact on the discharge of female patients from Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. She is also Secretary of Berkshire FHS.
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Dr Nick YoungNick Young is a local historian, author and chair of Thatcham Historical Society, with a particular interest in the history of Thatcham and the surrounding area. He has published several books and articles on local history, and regularly gives talks, heritage walks and tours, bringing the history of the area to life through photographs, stories and research. He is also active in the local community, volunteering in areas including heritage, fundraising, and CPR and defibrillator training.
Alongside his historical and community interests, Nick is an electronic engineer, an experienced teacher and trainer, and currently works as a web developer and IT trainer.