Hubert Farrell ('Bert') Starkey MA, MEd (1926-2011) A Fellow of The Royal Historical Society, he was one of Runcorn's leading historians. His best known books were 'Old Runcorn', which remains the definitive history of the town, 'Schooner Port', a fascinating account of Runcorn's maritime past, and 'Iron Clipper', the story of the ill-fated Warrington built ship RMS Tayleur. Bert Starkey championed the cause of listing Runcorn's historic buildings and was one of the first volunteers to work at the archaeological dig at Norton Priory in 1971. Together with W. E. ('Bill') Leathwood and C. A. ('Alex') Cowan, he was a founder member and vice-president of The Runcorn and District Historical Society (est.2000).