How Oxfordshire helped the Spanish Civil War - Banbury history lecture
Historian Liz Woolley returns to Banbury next week to tell the fascinating story of how Oxfordshire was involved in the Spanish Civil War.
This talk, on Thursday, September 10 at 7.30pm, tells the story of how the people of Oxfordshire responded to the Spanish Civil War between 1936 – 39.
More than thirty people went to Spain to fight or as doctors and nurses, while thousands more joined in fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns at home.
Yet more Oxfordshire families welcomed and housed hundreds of Basque refugees who had fled to Britain to escape the fighting.
“These events accompanied profound political changes, in Oxford in particular, and the uniting of ‘town’ and ‘gown’ in a popular front never seen before (and perhaps since) in the city,” said Deborah Hayter of Banbury Historical Society which is hosting the talk.
Liz Woolley is a freelance local historian, researcher and guide specialising in Oxford and Oxfordshire. A popular speaker, she is highly regarded for her focus on ‘town’ history as opposed to ‘gown’, with particular interests in industrial, social and working-class history.
Her expertise spans the history of local pubs, cinemas, women's history and Oxfordshire during the World Wars.
Lectures take place in the Education Studio of Banbury Museum, with access via Spiceball Park Road and the canal towpath. Non-members are welcome – fee £5.
The Banbury Historical Society library, held in the Museum, is available for research on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. It holds a comprehensive collection of works on Banbury and Banburyshire.