Following the success of the inaugural Rex Russell Memorial Lecture in 2024 the Civic Society and Wilderspin & National School Museum are once again joining forces to present an extended session focussing on themes dear to Rex delivered in the manner of his popular Saturday Schools .   Keynote speakers:   Keith Miller, a former adult education colleague of Rex, will speak about Rex’s work researching the Charities, Friendly Societies and labouring movements of the 1800s - early examples of…

This curious folk custom in Europe and North America throughout the nineteenth century involved crowds making as much noise as possible by beating on pots and pans or anything that came to hand, creating what was known as rough music.  This is another chance to hear Andrew Walker explain how these events enabled communities to regulate themselves and impart their own “rough justice”. £4 for non-members

Dr. Alex Ombler (Curator, Goole Museum) explores the natural, industrial and social history of Hessle Cliff from pre-history to the present day.  A little-known place on the north bank of the Humber Estuary, the cliff forms the southern-most tip of the chalk Wolds of Yorkshire.  While the cliff has been of immense interest to geologists, it was also a place of industry.  Quarrying and lime burning took place from at least the medieval period and during the 17th century, it…