FEDERATION DAY SCHOOL
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
Lancashire Diarists
The Federation is organising a day school on Saturday 24 October on Lancashire diarists. There is an excellent line-up of speakers, starting with Dr Alan Crosby who will give a general overview of Lancashire diarists. Alan is a freelance local historian, editor and lecturer and is Chair of the Federation. He has edited The Family Records of Benjamin Shaw, Mechanic of Dent, Dolphinholme and Preston, 1772-1841, published by the Record Society of Lancashire & Cheshire, vol. 130, 1991. The original diary is held at Lancashire Archives. Alan has also researched a wide range of other Lancashire diarists.
This will be followed by a talk from Alan Roby on the diaries of Nelly ‘Ellen’ Weeton (1776-1849). Alan is a local historian who has edited the journal entries and other writings of this interesting woman, published in the book entitled Miss Weeton, Governess and Traveller, published by Wigan Archives in 2016. The original records are held in Wigan and Leigh Archives and form an excellent source for women’s history in the early 19th century.
In the afternoon Dr Eleanor Fisher will be looking at the diaries of James Garnett of Waddow Hall (1858-1900), a cotton manufacturer of Low Moor Mill, Clitheroe. Eleanor is an independent social historian based in Lancaster, and has been involved in the transcription of the Garnett diaries. These diaries covering the years 1852-1914 are available as a searchable transcription at Lancashire Archives, along with the original records, and are an important source for Lancashire textile history.
The day will conclude with a talk by Andrew Hobbs on the diaries of Anthony Hewitson, who was a provincial journalist in the nineteenth century working in Preston and covers the years from 1865-1912. Andrew is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Lancashire. He specialises in the history of journalism and was formerly a reporter himself. Andrew has edited the diaries of Anthony Hewitson which have been published in 2 volumes by Open Book – Vol. 1 in 2022, and Vol. 2, just recently in 2026. The original diaries are now in Lancashire Archives.
The day school will be held at one of our more popular venues, the Preston Masonic Hall, which has plenty of local parking and easy access by bus or train. It’s sure to be a most interesting day, so do come along.
Please click on the link below to see the programme and booking form.