| Event type: | Meeting |
| Date: | 5th May 2026 |
| Time: | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
| Venue: | Picturehouse |
| Organiser: |
Bestselling author Brian Groom gave more than 140 of us an entertaining sweep through the entwined histories of Britain and Ireland’s nations – and the people who have called them home.
Based on his new book, Brian revealed a colourful and often-contested story of the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others who have occupied these islands, along with their culture, languages and passions. He explored the role of religion and the British Empire, international diasporas and internal migration, gender relations and war - and outlined how Chester fits into the story.
Brian Groom is a journalist and author. His book Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day (2022), became a national bestseller. He is also author of Made in Manchester: A People’s History of the City That Shaped the Modern World (2024). These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales is published by HarperNorth in February 2026.