Welcome to Forgotten
Burton Stories

Celebrating local history and heritage through community plays, books and talks that raise funds for three Burton upon Trent charities.

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A man in a suit, bow tie and trilby hat (Vale Rawlings) sits for a portrait in 1914.

Friendship, Love & Truth - a book about the life of Vale Rawlings in early 20th century Burton upon Trent - is out now!

The Orton and Spooner family.
Image courtesy of
Andrew Warwick-Thompson.

All profits from plays, books and talks about Vale Rawlings, Orton and Spooner and Lily Thomas go to Burton-based charities.

Lily Thomas, First World War humanitarian, who sent food,
medicine and clothes into
prisoner of war camps.

Latest News

Last call for 'Against the National Interest' tickets

There are less than two weeks to go until we perform Against The National Interest - our story of World War One conscientious objector Vale Rawlings - at Derby Museum and Art Gallery as part of the 2026 Derby Peace Week. A few tickets are still available for this one-off performance, on Sunday September 20th, from the Derby Museum website. Doors open at 12.30 and the talk - with live performance elements - will run from 1pm to 3pm including an interval. A standard ticket cost

Afternoon tea and a talk

We're delighted to be partnering with Langan's Tea Rooms in Burton upon Trent to run an afternoon tea and a talk event in September. Elaine Pritchard takes up the story. EDITED: We are delighted to share that this event has now sold out. Sunday September 27th, 2026, is the date for our first-ever afternoon tea and a talk event at Langan's Tea Rooms on George Street, just off Station Street and Guild Street in Burton upon Trent. There will be the chance to enjoy one of Langan'

Against the National Interest

Elaine Pritchard explains about the anti-war protesters who feature in the September event she has written for Derby Peace Week. This week we've had our first read-through for Against the National Interest , a unique event that I've been invited to write and perform as part of this year's Derby Peace Week. Poster shows Vale Rawlings and images of Wormwood Scrubs Joining me, at Derby Museum on Sunday, September 20th, from 1pm, will be three actors who will help me stage this t