Local history talks for groups in the Midlands

We're delighted to be taking an increasing number of requests from groups and organisations looking for local history talks and presentations in the Midlands.

Author and playwright Elaine Pritchard is happy to travel to Leicestershire and Derbyshire, as well as across East Staffordshire to talk about either fairground ride and cinema pioneers Orton and Spooner or social justice campaigner Vale Rawlings. These often neglected local history figures from Burton upon Trent provide plenty of scope for local history talks.

Elaine has been regularly giving talks on Orton and Spooner since 2022. These have included talks in person in the East Midlands and online (via Zoom) for groups outside the Midlands. Her talks can be illustrated with Powerpoint slides, for groups that have projectors and screens, or she can talk and bring along A4-sized images for people to browse through before or after her talk.

In 2024 she began giving talks about Vale Rawlings. These can focus on his involvement with the 'fly-catcher girls' strike, or on votes for women or on World War One and his time as a conscientious objector. Talks can also focus on his activism and his work with trade unions and the Co-operative Movement of the early 20th century.

Instead of charging a speaker's fee, Elaine asks for a donation that she can forward to a local charity. For Orton and Spooner local history talks, the donation goes to Burton and District Mind, the mental health charity. Donations from talks Elaine gives about Vale Rawlings are shared between YMCA Burton and SARAC, the Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre.

Elaine says: "It's always an honour to be invited to give a local history talks to groups in and around the Burton upon Trent area. I am always happy to travel, without charging expenses, to anywhere within a 20 mile radius of Burton upon Trent. I love bringing the stories of Vale Rawlings and Orton and Spooner to more people. There is a lot in the personal and professional lives of these three local history figures to inspire and interest people of all ages. It is rewarding to see the memories they evoke spark interesting conversations and reminiscences for audience members."

Elaine regularly speaks to Women's Institutes, friendship groups, clubs and societies and local history organisations. If you are interested in booking Elaine to give a local history talk to your group or organisation, she can be contacted by emailing valerawlingsprojectcic@gmail.com