October marks 11 years since Olivia Smedley began giving public talks sharing the stories of people who have been forgotten, overlooked, or were in danger of being forgotten.
Over the years, she has spoken about figures including suffragist Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, crime writer Lucy Malleson, better known as Anthony Gilbert, local shop owner and band leader Cath Jones, and now Thomas Bower.
Her latest talk, on Thomas Bower, will take place on 20th October at 2pm in Sandbach Town Hall, “a particularly fitting venue as it was designed by Bower himself”, she said.
Entitled “Sewers to stately homes: the life and work of the architect Thomas Bower”, the talk will explore his life, work and lasting contribution to the town. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Ms Smedley told the “Chronicle”: “My first major subject was Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, one of the most influential campaigners for women’s rights in the 19th century.
“When I first began speaking about her, there were immediate calls for greater recognition of her achievements.
“Three years later, in 2018, the Elizabeth Group was formed. Since then, a garden and a road have been named in her honour, and a statue has been erected to celebrate her life and work.
“Thomas Bower holds a special place in my speaking journey because he is my first male subject. I discovered him almost by accident while researching the Sandbach Millennium Tapestry.
“What began as a brief reference soon developed into a fascination with his story, and I realised that here was another important figure whose life and achievements deserved to be remembered and shared with a wider audience.
“After 11 years of researching and speaking about forgotten lives, I remain convinced that history does not preserve itself.
“Stories have to be told and retold if they are to survive. I hope that, in some small way, my talks have helped to keep these remarkable people in the public memory.”
