Let's Talk History - History Talks at the Archives

Welcome to 'Let's Talk History' our series of talks on history on all different sorts of topics; from local legends to national scandals. Below you will find the details of our upcoming talks which will be held at Leigh Town Hall. Each event starts at 7:00pm.

Tuesday 17th March - 'Clog Dancing: An Illustrated History & Fascinating Facts' by Alex Fisher
Alex Fisher brings history to life with an entertaining talk on this local tradition, complete with live clog dancing!

Tuesday 17th April - 'Textiles & treason: Lieven Bauwens and his English Workers' by Terry Dean
In the closing years of the 18th century, the success of the English development of

cotton textiles had become an obsession for the Belgian industrialist Lieven Bauwens.

He was determined to bring that same success to his hometown of Ghent and beyond,

but he realized this would be no easy task as his homeland were part of Napoleon

Bonaparte's France, which was at war with England.

The only way was to smuggle cotton machinery and the men skilled in operating it

across the water, and he did so, aided by Englishmen willing to leave their country in

exchange for financial gain, with plenty of espionage, mutiny, betrayal, a ‘hanging’, imprisonment, danger, and financial risk…and, of course, love & marriage

Note: Ticket price includes refreshment of tea/coffee and biscuits.
Note: Further talks will be released later in the year. There are no talks planned for July, August or December 2026.

Additional Information:

• Wheelchair accessible
• Accessible toilet facilities
• Hearing Loop available
• Free parking on Bengal Street Car Park (adjacent to Leigh Town Hall) after 6pm

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Host or Publisher Wigan Council