TRAINS, band music and a family of mine owners all feature in a new series of talks from the Askam and Ireleth Local History Group.

The group holds its meetings on Thursdays, from 7.30pm, in the Duddon Road Methodist Church, Askam, and all are welcome.

It all starts on March 16 with the visit of local historian and author Gill Jepson.

Her talk is called “Views of old Barrow in Furness” and is based on her latest book and her collection of photographs.

On April 20 there is a “Memories and Memorabilia Night” with a chance to look through the group’s archives.

Members are keen to catalogue the group’s collection of photographs, maps, charts and archives.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Roll up your sleeves and come along and put some names to pictures, share your memories and who knows you might find some surprises in your own family history.”

Another “Memories and Memorabilia Night” will be held on November 16.

On May 18 Geoff Holme will present a talk called “An Edwardian Tour of Furness and the Lake District with the Furness Railway”.

This is based on the elegant tours of the southern Lake District by boat and train.

Dan Elsworth from the Ulverston-based Greenlane Archaeology will be the speaker on June 15 with “Strathclyde, Cumbria and Furness”.

By the 10th century, the kingdom of Strathclyde encompassed much of what is now modern Cumbria.

How much of the County came under the control of Strathclyde is debated, but evidence suggests that it included some of Furness and Cartmel and continued to have an influence into the 12th century.

On July 20, Swarthmoor Hall, near Ulverston, comes under the spotlight in a talk by the Reverend Dr David Jackson.

One of the key mine-owning families of South Cumbria is the topic for Robert Wheatley on August 17.

His talk is called “The Kennedy’s of Stone Cross” and looks at how family members played a key role in the development of the Roanhead mines.

As Victorian speculators they shaped the landscape, economy and heritage, but what happened to this family and its vast wealth?

On September 21, Barrow archivist Susan Benson presents a talk called “The Barrow Archives” revealing the wealth of information held in the Furness archives and providing pointers for researchers into communities and their history.

Peter Burt has the topic “Askam Town Silver Band” on October 19 with a look at the history of the village music makers.