FEBRUARY 2026 LECTURE: Early ‘Steam Engines’ in Lancashire: Mapping Newcomen-type engines in Prescot and Whiston during the Eighteenth Century

Thomas Newcomen's invention of an engine for draining mines and its first use in a coal mine in 1712, heralded the 'Industrial Revolution' in Britain. Their installation in Prescot and Whiston was at the forefront of the development of the South West Lancashire Coalfield in the eighteenth century and there is evidence that the first Newcomen-type engine in Lancashire was installed in Whiston in 1719.

Wednesday 18 February 2pm via Zoom

Speakers: Ben Croxford is the Historic Environment Record Officer for Merseyside working for the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service. He has previously worked as an archaeologist across the UK and on excavations in Italy and Tunisia. He is a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and the Merseyside Archaeological Society. Maurice Handley is a former Chartered Mechanical Engineer.  After retiring, he followed a number of part time courses at the University of Liverpool and was awarded a Diploma in Landscape Interpretation. He has a  long-standing interest in archaeology, geology and industrial history.

Their talk will use maps and plans, coupled with documentary evidence and recently published information about the supply of components, enabling a reassessment of the location, dates of installation and ownership of Newcomen-type engines in Prescot and Whiston.

All are welcome; please email the Council Secretary, Dr Andrew Hobbs, at: secretary@hslc.org.uk

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