James Balme - History Presenter

27/02/2026

The Rambles through History Archives ..

The Mainwarings and St Lawrence - Rambles through History

Welcome to episode eight of Rambles through History. This episode entitled 'The Mainwarings and St Lawrence' tells the story of the Mainwaring family of Over Peover and their association with St Lawrence's church since at least the 15th century. The Mainwarings built and lived at Peover Hall that stands next to the church and St Lawrence's was the burial place for the family for over 600 years. Join James as he takes a full tour of the churchyard and throughout the church as he tells the history of each of four carved stone monuments and effigies of the Mainwaring family starting way back in 1410 AD. James also highlights many of the wonderful artefacts that remain today from medieval times including weapons and armour !!!!!
This is a 'Must not miss' episode and we are sure that you will enjoy the history of this wonderful church.

Welcome to episode eight of Rambles through History. This episode entitled 'The Mainwarings and St Lawrence' tells the story of the Mainwaring family of Over...

23/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ETLK2Jj9X/

On a steep embankment shaded by archaic yew trees in the quiet backwater of Warburton Village close to nearby Lymm stands an ancient religious timber framed structure that has been associated with worship and prayer since as far back as the 11th century.

17/06/2022

The Beauty of Church Bells and Towers - Flight Across Cheshire.

Welcome to my latest new feature entitled 'The Beauty of Church Bells and Towers'. In this film join me as I fly around a hand picked selection of ancient Cheshire churches filming from the air showing these buildings in their natural landscapes. I also visit and climb two bell towers to take a look at the bronze bells that have hung in each tower for many hundreds of years. Church bells are rarely seen by visitors or the public and to be able to give you the chance to see them in their natural working environment is something special.

As well as visiting the bell towers join me as I fly you to other Cheshire churches to see these magnificent buildings from a different perspective in a relaxing six minute flight across Cheshire.

All the churches featured here today also have their own individual full episode available giving an in-depth history of each church. These are available in our Rambles through History and History Walks playlists on Tvpresenter4history.

Welcome to my latest new feature entitled 'The Beauty of Church Bells and Towers'. In this film join me as I fly around a hand picked selection of ancient Ch...

12/06/2022

Welcome to Tvpresenter4history as we feature a brand new discovery of an ancient bronze church bell dedicated to St Agatha and bearing full Latin inscriptions as well as a date of 1577 AD being marked upon the bell.

This stunning new find is creating a great deal of interest and the beauty of this large heavy church bell that also carries a religious icon of God in 'Extreme Humility' cannot help but attract interest from enthusiasts and historians alike !!

In this film see the bell and its stunning decoration with Latin script and religious icon as well as a chance to hear the chime of the bell dated to

1577 AD

Welcome to Tvpresenter4history as we feature a brand new discovery of an ancient bronze church bell dedicated to St Agatha and bearing full Latin inscription...

03/06/2022

https://www.facebook.com/101603021558780/posts/541304857588592/

01/06/2022

Since being a teenager I have had a great interest in British history, but in particular the historical buildings that still stand today from past centuries.

In 2007 YouTube was starting to spark into life and I saw an opening and a platform where I could finally start to share my historical research in the form of short films with other people who had a similar interest in the history that surrounded them. For the next twelve years I continued to write and present history features to a growing online audience covering many historical subjects but still I felt that I could do so much more.

It was in March 2020 when I was privileged to become the history columnist for Cheshire Life magazine allowing me to share further with the public the historical importance and significance of the churches across Cheshire and beyond and of course telling the stories of these wonderful historical buildings.

What I find extremely encouraging is that I am now working with each church that I feature to bring the history of the building to life. I actively encourage every church that I feature to use my films freely as they wish to generate more interest from visitors and to encourage the public to visit and see the history for themselves. Now for 2022 I'm busy writing and creating 25 brand new episodes, visiting and telling the history of more churches.

Since being a teenager I have had a great interest in British history, but in particular the historical buildings that still stand today from past centuries....

28/05/2022

Explore Churches/National Churches Trust

Why not wander around a churchyard this weekend?
If you need some inspiration about what to look for, take five and enjoy some of the episodes from new YouTube playlist highlighting 'Ancient Churchyards of Cheshire'.

See the playlist here:
https://t.co/Q9TgdHjlfX

https://twitter.com/ExploreChurches/status/1530431928255631360?t=jOLTtTsigbBBmsXWtETu5A&s=19

24/05/2022

Brand New Episode of Rambles through History Out Now ......
'A Castle fit for a King'............... Link available here .......

Welcome to our brand new episode of Rambles through History entitled ' A Castle fit for a King' filmed at Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales..........
Join me as I pay a visit to Rhuddlan to see for myself the rich medieval history of this small Welsh town.
Rhuddlan is first mentioned in recorded history towards the end of the eighth century. In the year of 796 the English won a battle at Rhuddlan and around this time they took control of the area. In the year of 1073 a Motte and Bailey castle was built near to the present Rhuddlan castle under the command given by William I. In 1277 Edward I oversaw the construction of a new castle to be built in Ruddlan and around the 22nd August 1277 Edward moved his headquarters to Rhuddlan itself.

Welcome to our brand new episode of Rambles through History entitled ' A Castle fit for a King' filmed at Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales..........Join present...

20/05/2022

Rhuddlan is first mentioned in recorded history towards the end of the eighth century. In the year of 796 the English won a battle at Rhuddlan and around this time they took control of the area. In the year of 1073 a Motte and Bailey castle was built near to the present Rhuddlan castle under the command given by William I. In 1277 Edward I oversaw the construction of a new castle to be built in Ruddlan and around the 22nd August 1277 Edward moved his headquarters to Rhuddlan itself.

Coming soon is my brand new episode of Rambles through History - A History of Rhuddlan, telling the history of the town and its passage through history from the 8th century onwards.

Rhuddlan is first mentioned in recorded history towards the end of the eighth century. In the year of 796 the English won a battle at Rhuddlan and around thi...

10/05/2022

Welcome to our Rambles through History May 2022 update. April saw the writing of more new episodes for filming throughout late Spring. Unfortunately due to two family bereavements within ten days and then myself and my partner contracting the Covid virus filming was put on hold until the start of this week. I'm pleased to be able to confirm that filming has now begun once again to record new episodes of Rambles through History in the coming weeks and these will be released shortly.

Welcome to our Rambles through History May 2022 update. April saw the writing of more new episodes for filming throughout late Spring. Unfortunately due to t...