For further information on The Mayer Trust, telephone 07766 163 626.

Wednesday 21 October 2026             

Friends of Bebington Cemetery

The lecture will provide a history of Bebington Cemetery, including the national and local pressures that led to its opening in 1868 and its subsequent development.

The lecture will use the stories of some of those buried there to highlight many of the national and local events that affected their lives, including prevalent diseases, two world wars and significant incidents and accidents.

by

Steve Morgan and Val Beecroft

Steve is a retired NHS manager and Val is a retired civil servant and both are members of Friends of Bebington Cemetery.

Wednesday 18 November 2026

Women’s Land Army: A Forgotten Victory in Two World Wars

The lecture covers the story of the Women’s Land Army (or WLA), from its founding in 1917 during World War I, its work during World War II and its disbandment in 1950.

Some on the problems facing British agriculture will be highlighted including the work of the Women’s Timber Corps. It will cover the treatment of its members after disbandment in 1950 and will include many anecdotes, artwork and photos of some of the many women who served.                                                                                                                                                                                                           

by

Jane Millar

Jane is the daughter of someone who served in the WLA in Cheshire, and is an active member of the Ellesmere Port Local & Family History Society.

Wednesday 9 December 2026

The Christmas Songs!

This is a fully illustrated and musical presentation which looks back at some of the songs we have bought at Christmas time and put into the pop charts!

Songs included are White Christmas; Let It Snow; Merry Christmas Everybody; Happy Christmas; Wonderful Christmas Time; Blue Christmas, and many more!

The stories behind the songs will be outlined and, of course, the presentation includes acoustic renditions of the songs by the lecturer on acoustic guitar..                                                                                       

by

Barry P Humphreys

Barry completed an MA in modern social history at Lancaster University, followed by an MA in social work. He then spent 30 years in the Probation Service before concluding his career there as a senior manager.

Wednesday 20 January 2027

DMy Life with Griff Rhys Jones

This presentation is a look at Griff Rhys Jones’ incredible life and career, including tales of some of his most extraordinary exploits and his adventures around the world involving wildlife, royalty, historic events, extremely dangerous stunts – not to mention his much-loved partnership with Mel Smith!

Having worked with the comedian and TV presenter Griff Rhys Jones for over 25 years writing with him and assisting him on all manner of TV, radio and stage shows plus various other weird and wonderful projects, the lecturer is very well qualified to make this presentation.

by

Mike Haskins

Mike is a published author of over 60 books and has also written comedy material for TV and radio for performers including Steve Coogan, Simon Pegg, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis and Milton Jones.

Wednesday 17 February 2027

A Club Goes to War

The lecture will look at the men from Birkenhead Park Football Club (now known as Birkenhead Park RUFC), who went to war in 1914 and never returned.

by

Judith Beastall

Judith is deputy chair of the Merseyside branch of The Western Front Association.

Wednesday 17 March 2027

Operation Fish: the rush to save Britain’s gold bullion in 1940

In May 1940, with Britain on the verge of invasion and political turmoil sweeping the UK Government, urgent measures were taken to safeguard the nation’s gold reserves. ‘Operation Fish’, though obscure, was a momentous WW2 episode involving the secretive transfer of a major portion of the nation’s wealth to Martins Bank Liverpool.

Who was responsible for this audacious act and what other plans were afoot?

This mission to move Britain’s wealth out of Hitler’s reach was a gamble which had it failed, would have left Britain without the funds necessary to continue the struggle against Germany and could have changed the outcome of the war.

by

Bernard Nevin

Bernard is Chair of the Crosby History Society, now in its 80th year. His career background is in educational publishing.