Area Society: Lancashire

'Committed to the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles and their natural environment by supporting the development of a network of independent volunteer amphibian and reptile groups ... Each Group works with the species in its locality, and these provide the "grass roots" of native herpetofauna conservation in the UK; undertaking survey and monitoring, practical conservation tasks, public events and outreach and liaising with stakeholders including local planning authorities, land owners, other conservation bodies, and the wider public.'

'Founded in 1955 with the aim of helping bring together the community of craft Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. Rather than set up another organisation for individual craft people we chose the path of becoming an Association of Guilds - an umbrella body to which regional or local Guilds are affiliated. The aim is to support those regional Guilds by operating at a larger scale with National Conferences, National Exhibitions, Competitions, publications and recognised qualifications certifying individuals' high level of achievement and competence in their chosen craft. We now have over 100 member Guilds representing over 5000 crafts-people.'

'Exists to promote and enhance the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts, and their habitats. We are the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales, with a network of around 60 local voluntary badger groups, and supported by thousands of supporters and followers ... They are a great way to get involved, meet other badger enthusiasts and make a difference to your local badgers.'

'The national organisation which represents numismatic societies throughout the United Kingdom. It exists to promote the study of numismatics by bringing these societies and their members together to share and increase their interest and expertise in coins, tokens and currency ... BANS holds an annual weekend congress, organised by the local numismatic society, in a different attractive place each year ... BANS sponsors one of the talks at the annual weekend congress, the Marion Archibald Memorial Lecture ... BANS runs an annual autumn lecture course, with a more specifically educational programme. As at the congresses, the lectures are given by the leading museum, trade and amateur experts.'

'Butterflies and moths are a vital part of our wildlife heritage and are valuable as sensitive indicators of the health of our environment. The stark fact is that butterflies and moths continue to decline at an alarming rate, despite Butterfly Conservation's best efforts over the last 40 years ... Butterfly Conservation's strength derives from its Branches and the 40,000 members they embrace ... Branch members are some of Britain’s most enthusiastic volunteer conservationists. Public events are held all year round, including butterfly walks, moth events and countless conservation days.'

'The Society was founded in 1982 when cottage garden plants were becoming "unfashionable". Those starting the Society wanted to protect this vanishing planting style. They were concerned that, in the move to easily maintained gardens, hard landscaping was becoming more important than the plants ... The Society has around 35 regional groups, some with as few as seven members and some with over 200. Most groups meet monthly and have talks in winter and visits to gardens and plant sales in spring and summer.'

'GeoConservationUK has a membership of over 50 Local Geoconservation Groups, previously known as RIGS Groups (Regionally Important Geological and geomorphological Sites) across the British Isles. GeoConservationUK exists to promote local geological/geomorphological sites for education and public benefit and works towards a British Isles perspective, focusing on the common purposes and issues of local interest to Groups.'

'We are the charity that campaigns to protect and restore the country's 7,000 miles of inland waterways ... We campaign locally and nationally for the waterways – supporting restorations, lobbying parliament, championing regeneration and raising waterways users concerns ... Our members and volunteers are waterways-lovers from all walks of life who want to preserve and improve the network for future generations.'

'Our members come from across the physics community whether in industry, academia, the classroom, technician roles or in training programmes as an apprentice or a student. However our reach goes well beyond our membership to all who have an interest in physics and the contribution it makes to our culture, our society and the economy ... Activity organised by nations and branches includes physics-related events such as visits for members, physics talks, member visits and public engagement activities.'

'We are the IET and we inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world. As a diverse home across engineering and technology, we share knowledge that helps make better sense of the world in order to solve the challenges that matter. It’s why we are uniquely placed to champion engineering ... Local Networks are groups of members that come together to deliver a series of activities designed to promote the importance of science, engineering and technology to the general public, encourage young people to enter the profession and provide opportunities for engineers to share and develop knowledge and network with each other.''

'Founded in 1883 to promote the study of the history of Lancashire and Cheshire. Its sphere includes archaeology (both traditional and industrial), economic and social history, architecture and the arts, and folklore. Its range extends from antiquity to the more recent past. Although the Society is based on Manchester, its studies and activities embrace the region. Membership is open to all individuals and societies who are interested in the various historical aspects of the two (pre- 1974 reorganisation) Counties Palatine ... The Society aims to hold annual day schools, either self-promoted or occasionally in association with other organisations.'

In the UK, meetings are held in Lancashire, where there are 13 branches including the Heraldry group and Irish Ancestry group, and in London ... At Branch Meetings you will find family history and heraldry experts who are knowledgeable over a wide area of the UK - north of Liverpool and Manchester, right up to the Cumbrian and Yorkshire Borders ... Each Branch organises its own programme of events and activities ... Non-members are welcome at any of the Branch meetings.'

A Record created to provide access to the Entries in Open Lectures and Talks for Area and Regional Federations of Local History Societies. Each Federation is given an Entry in the relevant BROWSE by LOCALITY Category on this Website. Click on the appropriate Tag to discover the Entry of interest.

'One in four of our native mammals is threatened with extinction, and many others are in decline. With Britain now recognised as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, urgent action is needed. We are working to give our wildlife a better future ... Local mammal Groups bring together people with a shared enthusiasm for the local environment and the mammals within it. They work to share knowledge and raise awareness, survey and monitor local mammals, provide local expertise and training in field skills, hold talks and events, and support the work of the Mammal Society.'

'Members can attend any Branch or Society Meeting free of charge ... All of our Branches organise monthly meetings at which both in-house and invited speakers talk on topics which will be of interest to Branch members. Admission is free to members, a small charge is payable by non-members.'

'The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) believes old buildings have a future. From cottages to castles and from churches to cathedrals we are here to help buildings and the people who care for them. Through our unique training schemes, courses, advice and research we help people put our expertise into practice ... Held every spring and autumn, the SPAB's popular lecture series offers three or four informal talks linked to an engaging historic building or conservation theme ... One of the benefits of being a member of the SPAB is access to our Regional Groups, who arrange visits, events, and meetings across the country.'

'The Wildlife Trusts is a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, on a mission to restore a third of the UK's land and seas for nature by 2030. We believe everyone, everywhere, should have access to nature and the joy and health benefits it brings. No matter where you are in the UK, there is a Wildlife Trust inspiring people about nature and standing up for wildlife and wild places. Each Wildlife Trust is an independent charity formed by people getting together to make a positive difference to wildlife, climate and future generations. Together we have more than 850,000 members, over 42,500 volunteers, 2,000 staff and 600 trustees.'

'Formed in 1980 to maintain interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War. It does not seek to glorify war and is non-political ... Belonging to The Western Front Association provides you with the opportunity of meeting like-minded people to learn, share, explore and exchange information and knowledge in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.'