An illustrated talk by RONALD WELLS

Within a brief retrospective survey of the artistic developments of the Millennium, attention will be focussed on the contributions of Central European musicians. This will include some influential "Ninety Niners", whose work bridged over into the following century. After such a formidable range of achievements, dare anyone speculate about the possibilities for the future? Short extracts will be used by way of illustration.

Ronald Wells first learned his music as a chorister at St. Thomas's Church, Moorside, then with Noel Walton, (Sir William's brother) at Hulme Grammar School and later studied singing with Ivan Mellodew at Oldham Lyceum. This was extended by membership of choirs, Choral Groups and amateur operatic societies, integrated with self-tuition.

Whilst earning his living as a schoolmaster, music provided artistic expression and welcome relaxation.

Since retirement he has been involved, amongst other activities, in occasional lecturing in the South of England.

Audio equipment kindly loaned by Audio Counsel, 12/14 Shaw Road, Oldham

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An illustrated talk by ALAN PETFORD

Alan Petford was brought up in Saddleworth and educated at the Hulme Grammar School for Boys, Oldham. Growing up amid a landscape so obviously steeped in history as the Saddleworth valleys are engendered a life--long interest in the past, especially the local and particular past. He read modern history at University College, Oxford and then went on to study in the Department of English Local History at Leicester where he took his MA in 1978.

For the past twenty years or so he has taught history in Northern Grammar Schools, and is currently Senior History Master at the Royal Grammar School, Lancaster. Since 1988 he has been a tutor for the Workers' Educational Association, teaching courses on local history for the Saddleworth Branch. He is a frequent speaker at many local history societies and has written articles for the Saddleworth Historical Society Bulletin.

Alan's interest in Ammon Wrigley began many years ago when he came across a copy of 'Songs of a Moorland Parish' in Uppermill library.

'Wrigley's ability to evoke a vanished world; insular and parochial perhaps but one that carries conviction and a genuine sense of place, remains one of his principal attractions. Like so many of his contemporaries, be they artists, architects or writers, Ammon Wrigley drew inspiration from the local and the particular at a time when many were busy discarding the past and society was becoming increasingly mobile. Perhaps this was why Ammon Wrigley's work received such acclaim in his own lifetime, since it gave a sense of identity to those becoming daily more divorced from their past.'

This lecture examines the background of Ammon Wrigley's life, its impact on his work and the significance of his writing to contemporaries.

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In the footprints of Ammon Wrigley.

An exhibition about a man, born on the Friarmere hills, of farming and weaving stock who made Saddleworth people feel special. If you are interested to know how this was achieved by a man of talent but very little schooling, who was also a humorist and sentimentalist, this exhibition is for you.

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A Floral Art demonstration by THE REV. WILLIAM McMILLAN

The Rev. William McMillan is an ordained Presbyterian clergyman serving a parish on the outskirts of Belfast. In this capacity he has travelled widely throughout America, Canada and Europe as part of his work as an ecclesiastical historian, lecturer and author while still undertaking all the daily tasks of his office.

A keen gardener and plantsman, Mr McMillan became interested in Floral Art some twenty-five years ago during a period of enforced rest while recovering from an illness. As a national and international demonstrator, he has travelled extensively throughout Ireland and England and Europe. He has also been to the USA, Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Pakistan, Thailand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand. In this connection his fund raising for charities was recognised by the National Association for Great Britain when he was made a Special Associate of Honour twelve years ago.

Within the last two years he has demonstrated at The Art in Bloom events in San Francisco as well as for the Garden Clubs of America in Miami and Memphis. At the World Show in Toronto, he carried off the prestigious Best in Show with an example of his Floral Art.

Mr McMillan's reputation and versatility in floral design was evidenced when he was invited to design and decorate the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral on the occasion of its fourteen hundredth anniversary in September 1997

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