Winckley Square guided history walks for spring and summer

People enjoying the sun in Winckley Square Gardens Pic: Tony Worrall

The Friends of Winckley Square group are hosting a series of events this spring and summer on the rich history of Winckley Square Gardens.

The guided talks and walks will start in March, which is women’s history month – a month dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements and contributions to societal causes.

Due to the rising popularity of the events in recent years, people are told to book a place quickly.

The guided walk for International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March, has already sold out and the group says it is likely the ‘Regency Promenade’ walks in June will sell out quickly too.

Last year the Scandalous Stories talk and Edith Rigby tour was a hit among Prestonians, and will be returning once again.

The guided walks start in the centre of the Gardens unless stated otherwise, and the talks and performances take place at Central Methodist Church in Lune Street.

Below is a list of the 14 events running from March to July:

Three Winckley Square Women who shaped Preston

Part of the Preston Historical Society annual programme. The talk by Pat Harrison will focus on the lives of Ellen Cross, Cornelia Connelly and Beatrice Todd.

The talk will take place on Monday 6 March, from 7.15pm to 8.30pm.

Women who made a difference: Slavery, Suffrage, Poverty

On International Women’s Day the group will be celebrating the lives of women in the past who campaigned for equality. All are women associated with the Winckley Square Quarter.

Susan Douglass and Pat Harrison will lead the the guided walk on Wednesday 8 March from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Former Residents of Winckley Square – famous and infamous

Starting with the vision for the Square and the first house in 1799, encountering ‘real’ people who made history though the walk.

The guided walk by Steve Harrison will take place on Sunday 19 March, from 2pm to 3.15pm.

An Afternoon with Edith Rigby

Come and meet Edith Rigby, a formidable woman, fiercely committed to her principles, who dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights. Venue:

A performance by Judy Beeston will take place at the Central Methodist Church, on Wednesday 22 March, between 2pm and 3.30pm.

Preston the Jerusalem of Temperance

Last year (2022) was the 190th anniversary of the ‘seven men of Preston’ signing the first total abstinence pledge, initiating the influential Temperance movement.

Meet Steve Harrison for a guided walk at 2pm, in front of the Blue Bell Pub in Church Street, on Sunday 16 April from 2pm to 3.30pm.

Edith Rigby Tour

Take a step back in time in the footsteps Preston’s most famous suffragette. There is an opportunity to stop for refreshments during the Guided Walk.

Judy Beeston will lead the guided walk from 10am to 12pm, on Wednesday 19 April.

Extraordinary Women of Winckley Square

Learn about the lives of some of the Extraordinary Women associated with Winckley Square who broke boundaries.

The guided walk will be led by Pat Harrison on Sunday 21 May, between 2pm and 3.15pm.

MORE Scandalous Stories from Winckley Square

If you think TV is full of sex, violence, poverty, intrigue and double dealing why, come to the talk and hear even more in the company of others who share a love for the local heritage.

Steve Harrison’s talk will take place in the evening on Monday 22 May, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Jazz Ensemble – Part of Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival

Bring a picnic, enjoy the music, drink real ale or a chilled wine from the Friends of Winckley Square pop-up bar.

A performance on Saturday 3 June, from 2pm to 4pm.

A House Through Time: 5 Winckley Square, TALK 1 of 3 talks

Due to popular demand this trilogy of talks is being repeated in the evening. Inspired by the BBC series, Susan tells the story of 5 Winckley Square from when it was built by Thomas Miller to the present day.

On Tuesday 6 June, the first talk out of three in the series will be from Susan Douglas, between 7pm and 8.30pm.

Jazzin’ the Park – Part of Preston Jazz & Improvisation Festival

A full day’s Jazz is back in Winckley Square after being hugely successful last year.

A series of performances from 12pm to 7pm, on Saturday 10 June.

A Regency Promenade & afternoon tea in the garden of Overleigh
House

Walk in the footsteps of former residents who would promenade through Winckley Square, along Avenham Walk and into Avenham Park.

A guided walk by Elaine Taylor, from 12.30pm to 2.15pm and from 3pm to 4.45pm, on Sunday 11 June.

A House Through Time: 5 Winckley Square, TALK 2 of 3 talks

A golden nugget of information in a 150 year old newspaper article, a chance discovery of an unknown document in Lancashire Archives; one sentence in an obscure e-book; a family photograph album. These sources helped reveal the stories of long-dead occupants.

The second talk by Susan Douglas, will take place on Tuesday 20 June, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

A House Through Time: 5 Winckley Square, TALK 3 of 3 talks

The final talk on the ‘Miller Mansion’ brings the story to an end. If walls had ears, they would tell interesting stories of what ‘Winckles’ got up to in the house that remained largely unaltered.

The last event and talk of the series will be on Tuesday 18 July, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

To book a place for any of the events, go to the eventbrite website.