CAMMELL Laird, Birkenhead Priory, Wirral Country Park and The Great War are among the subjects of historical talks due to take place across Wirral in the coming weeks.

Dr Stephen Roberts, director of Wirral Archaeology, will be delivering a number of the talks.

Talks include:

  • Thursday, March 23: The Pioneering Monks of Birkenhead Priory by Dr Stephen Roberts. This talk focuses on the history of Birkenhead Priory, the oldest standing building on Merseyside, as well as its founding fathers. Williamson Art Gallery, 6pm. Tickets, £10, are available here
  • Wednesday, April 5: The Maguire Family of Wallasey and the Great War 1914-1919 by Dr Stephen Roberts. Liverpool Central Library, 1.45pm. This talk will include a discussion of a collection of letters held by the Imperial War Museum, which Dr Stephen Roberts is transcribing and editing for the Record Society of Lancashire. This event is free and no booking is required.
  • Saturday, April 15: Aethelflaed One of the Truly Great Women in English History by Dave Capener. Wallasey Library, 2.30pm. This talk, which is part of Wirral Libraries Local History Week, is free but reserve your spot via Eventbrite .
  • Monday, April 17: Mothers, Wives and Daughters: Women’s Experiences of the Great War in Wirral 1914-1919 by Dr Stephen Roberts. Greasby Library, 6.30pm. This talk, which is part of Wirral Libraries Local History Week, is free but reserve your spot via Eventbrite .
  • Thursday, May 4: Wirral in the Great War 1914-1919 – an overview of my PhD findings by Dr Stephen Roberts. Williamson Art Gallery, 7pm. This event is free and no booking is required.
  • Friday, May 12: A History of Wirral Country Park to mark its 50th Anniversary by Dr Stephen Roberts.West Kirby Museum, 7pm.
  • Thursday, July 15: A Picture Portal into the Past: The King’s Visit to Cammell Lairds Shipyard in 1917 by Dr Stephen Roberts. Williamson Art Gallery, 6pm. Tickets £10 are available here

Dr Stephen Roberts, who will deliver the talks, attended the universities of York, Aberystwyth and London and recently completed a doctorate at Manchester Metropolitan University about Wirral During the Great War.

His interest in history was sparked by Greasby Copse, which he could see from his school window as a pupil at Greasby Junior School.

Stephen taught history for over thirty years and is the author of Hoylake and Meols Past (1992) and A History of Wirral (2002), as well as of a number of academic articles.

He said: "The need to study history has never been greater – particularly so for the people of Wirral. I invite all the residents of this remarkable peninsula to be challenged, fascinated, educated and empowered by the study of its history’.

To find out more events taking place at Williamson Art Gallery, visit their website.