Join England and Wigan Warriors Captain, Rachel Thompson for a talk on Women in Rugby.
Discover the history of Rugby League in the borough and internationally. Don’t miss the main gerrumonside! exhibition running until 19th November at Museum of Wigan Life and book onto one of the following talks:
Hear stories of how rugby league led the way in social progression by breaking down barriers and how the game continues to do so in the 21st century. Daniel is a rugby league historian, podcaster, and author of the book ‘Broken Time’. There will also be the opportunity to purchase signed copies of his book on the day.
Tony Collins uncovers the hidden history of rugby’s black pioneers of the 1930s by examining the early lives and careers of Roy Francis and George Bennett. He looks at their experiences of growing up in South Wales and explores the reasons why they chose to ‘Go North’ to play rugby league. Their stories bring to life the history of Britain’s black community in the decades before the Windrush Generation and illustrate how rugby league opened its doors to black athletes at a time when other sports refused to do so.
In celebration of the Rugby League World Cup, join Frank Orrell, former photographer for the Wigan Evening Post, Wigan Observer, the Reporter group, and Rugby League newspaper for this fascinating illustrated event as he talks about his time spent photographing rugby league. The talk will be accompanied by a slideshow of photographs of Wigan Rugby League Club from the 1960s up to 2009, as well as local amateur and grassroots rugby.
In 1946, as the world was still reeling from the effects of the Second World War, a squad of rugby league players set sail on HMS Indomitable to the other side of the world. Martin Whitcombe’s grandfather, Frank Whitcombe, was one of the players on this legendary tour and this talk will bring to life the most successful Great Britain tour team of all time - a group of men who encapsulated the Lions spirit more than any other, before, or since. There will be the opportunity to see original film footage, photographs and memorabilia relating to the tour, including the original Lance Todd Trophy, and to buy a signed copy of Martin’s book - The Indomitables.