A TALKS day covering everything from gunpowder to limestone quarrying is being hosted by the Cumbria Industrial History Society next month.

The society’s autumn conference is called Industries of South Westmorland and is being held on Saturday, October 15 at Preston Patrick Memorial Hall, near Crooklands.

It starts with a talk by Peter Standing called “Man and Limestone” which looks at quarrying and lime burning in South East Cumbria.

Lime has been burnt for centuries to provide lime to improve fields, it has been used as building stone and as an important ingredient in the furnace mix for producing iron.

Marcus Hecock will look at the development of the Low Gatebeck Gunpowder Works from 1851 to 1936.

After a buffet lunch, Geoff Pegg will look at the history of Holme Mills and Roger Bingham will tell delegates about the industries of Milnthorpe.

Places at the conference cost £12, or £20 with the optional buffer lunch, and can be made through CIHS bookings at 5 Parkside Drive, Arnside, Cumbria LA5 0BU, send an email to cihscon@btinternet.com or check the website at http://www.cumbria-industries.org.uk