TALKING TUESDAY
TALK
Tuesday 8 September 2026 | 2.00pm – 4.00pm | Cumbria’s Postal Paths – Talk by Alan Cleaver BOOK HERE
£5 per person – Booking is essential
Talking Tuesday – Explore, Discover, Discuss
Each month, Talking Tuesday brings you a fascinating topic, delving into local history, global adventures, and stories that spark curiosity. Join us for an engaging afternoon of learning, conversation, and connection at The Beacon Museum.
Please note:
✨ Places are limited, so we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.
✨ Any cancellations within 72 hours won’t be issued a refund.
Tuesday 8 September | Cumbria’s Postal Paths | Alan Cleaver
2–4.00 pm | £5 per person
Alan Cleaver, author of The Postal Paths, talks about the Cumbrian postal routes walked – and sometimes cycled – by rural postmen and women. These routes could be up to 20 miles long through beautiful but difficult terrain. Alan will outline the routes (which are all public paths) and reveal something of the loyal public servants who walked them six days a week in all weathers. All rural post has, since the mid-1970s, been delivered by van. And Alan will ask whether there is a future for the handwritten letter in an age of texts, emails and other digital messaging.
PREVIOUS TALKS
Tuesday 7 July | Mildred Warner Washington Gale: From Virginia to Whitehaven | Karla
2–4.00 pm | £5 per person
Uncover the fascinating story of Mildred Warner Washington Gale, grandmother of George Washington, as we explore the early beginnings of the Warner and Washington families in America. From the family’s roots in colonial Virginia to Mildred’s unexpected journey to Whitehaven after the death of her husband, the talk with examine how this small Cumbrian port became briefly connected to one of America’s most famous families.
Tuesday 9 June | Spices | Mike
Spices have been used for thousands of years as medicines, religious offerings, preservatives, dyes, and potent symbols of social status and immense wealth.
Step into the rich, aromatic world of spices and discover the stories that changed the course of history. From ancient trade routes to the modern kitchen, this lively talk reveals how these small but powerful ingredients have shaped cultures, driven exploration, and transformed the way we eat. Expect fascinating insights, surprising connections, and a fresh perspective on the flavours we thought we knew.
Tuesday 12 May | Uncovering our Ancient Past – The Soutergate Skull | Matthew and Hayden
In 2021, a human skull was discovered on the banks of the Furness peninsula. After the police had recovered the remains, radiocarbon dating took place and dated the individual to the middle of the Roman period (130-340AD).
The skull was then acquired by The Beacon Museum for the collection, and the museum embarked on a research project to learn more about this individual and the life they may have led.
Tuesday 14 April | Cumbrian Powerhouse 19th Century Style – Iron, Coal, Limestone and Steel | Mike James
Cumbria’s geology is an extraordinary combination of minerals and rocks that shaped the landscape and lives of generations. What started as a tropical sea led to a myriad of industrial activity for Cumbria and the West in particular. The close proximity of haematite, coal and limestone helped support the Industrial Revolution whilst one of the local products, railway track, supported the growth of railways across the world. Whilst the industry has largely gone today it has left a legacy of very collectable minerals and a thriving business making paint and pigments from the haematite at Florence Mine. The talk will take you on a journey from the formation of the Earth to the geology of the region and finally how it all came together to create the industrial powerhouse of the 19th Century
Tuesday 10 March | Rise and Fall of Maritime West Cumberland | Alan Bell
What caused this rise and fall?
West Cumberland had no influence on England’s Maritime past until Stuart times.
It then rose gradually to become significant. Whitehaven; becoming the second busiest port in England, Workington, Harrington, and Maryport, also became important. They all declined over the next few centuries.
Tuesday 10 February | Postal History in West Cumbria | Mike Mapleton | CANCELLED
Tuesday 11 November | Riotous Whitehaven | Dr John little
Whitehaven has never been as quiet as it seems. Between 1749 and 2017, at least twenty riots shook the town, each one leaving its own mark on local life. In this engaging illustrated talk, Dr John Little explores some of these dramatic events as reported in the newspapers of the day. From civic unrest to community disputes, the accounts reveal not only the disturbances themselves but also the humour, fears, and resilience of the people who lived through them.
Born in Whitehaven and with family roots stretching back centuries on the Solway Plain, Dr Little brings a deep personal connection to the history and culture of the area. His talk promises a vivid journey into the passions and politics of Whitehaven’s riotous past.
Tuesday 21 October | Circus | Elaine Thomson
Roll up, Roll up! Take your seats in the Portal to experience the magic that only the Circus can bring! Be transported through 100 years of Whitehaven’s hidden history of visiting Showmen and Performers, Menageries and spectacular Equestrian Shows.
Hear about a Death in the Circus in Mr. Ord’s Amphitheatre, Van Amburgh’s One-Day Only Processional of Wild Beasts, Mr. Powell’s New Olympic Circus and Wombwell’s Immense Zoological Collection that required 45 horses to pull it!
Not forgetting the mile-long train that brought Buffalo Bill into town, and of course George Biddall’s Phantasmagorical Machine – the Ghost of which still haunts the third floor of the Beacon itself…
Discover the circus magic! Prepare to be amazed! Expect the unexpected! A world of wonder awaits – Let the show begin!
Tuesday 9 September | A Rum Story or Two
This month, we’ll take you on a journey across the globe to uncover the story of rum. Discover why Malaya and Crete are key to its history, how rum is made – including right here in the UK – and the links to Sir Francis Drake and Captain Bligh. We’ll finish with the tale of two Cumbrian families and how fortunes of £60 million were lost.
A mix of history, intrigue, and local connection – rum as you’ve never heard it before.