2-3pm, Wednesday 18 November 2026
The origins and roles of apothecaries are introduced, followed by a study of a 17th-century Nantwich apothecary, Raphe Walley. Walley’s interesting family history is discussed briefly. Many insights into the medicines and ingredients in his shop in Town Square were uncovered following the discovery of the probate inventory of its contents. The talk explores some of the remedies he would have supplied, and how efficacious, or otherwise, they would have been.
Dr Helen Cooke: After graduating in chemistry at the University of Manchester, Helen worked briefly in scientific publishing and then as a librarian and lecturer at UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology), where she also completed her PhD on the history of chemistry. After 20 years at UMIST, Helen moved to the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, working for 10 years in the USA and UK. Now retired and living in Nantwich, Cheshire, she volunteers for the Royal Society of Chemistry and Nantwich Museum, which has provided opportunities to feature chemistry through talks, publications and exhibitions.
Please email membership@hslc.org.uk for the Zoom link to this free online talk.