Lectures

Lectures for the season 2026 – 2027

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Linby is a small village and civil parish in Nottinghamshire, According to Nottinghamshire legend, the pancake was invented in the village. Local lore states that during the Viking era, local women successfully baked flat cakes to celebrate the defeat and chasing off of the invading Danish Vanguard. This talk examines the truth behind the story, the history of Pancakes and of Pancake Day.

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Brilliant and versatile as a scientist, engineer, mechanic and businessman, James Keir’s versatility and kindly nature made him a great friend and much valued colleague, when he left Scotland to join the pioneering circle of Birmingham’s Lunar Society.

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When we think of the innovators, engineers and scientists, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, we instinctively think of men. This talk will look at three women and their achievements which have largely been overlooked and forgotten in the mists of time. The first of these was amongst those responsible for saving more human lives than anyone else in history, the second was an entrepreneur and businesswoman, and the third an inventor and patent holder and one of the first women to be regarded as an engineer.

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Joanne will tell us about how she got the job, what it entailed, how good Lord Lichfield was to work for and the famous people she met whilst she worked there. Patrick, 5th Earl of Lichfield was an internationally renowned English photographer. As a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II, he enjoyed an intimate relationship with the British Royal Family, allowing him to capture uniquely relaxed, candid royal portraits alongside high-profile commercial and fashion

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Sarah Moody is the Public Engagement Coordinator for the west and west central regions of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  She says that one of the most significant sites in her region is Cannock Chase War Cemetery and one of the most enjoyable aspects of her role is to be able to visit there, often with tour or school groups.  Sarah’s talk is especially relevant to today.

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Perhaps one of England’s most important Egyptologists. A prepared lecture  about a man born in Lichfield and who was responsible for supplying The British Museum with thousands of Egyptian artefacts. Serving as the British Consul-General in Egypt from 1816 until his death, he built massive collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts that became cornerstones for major institutions.

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Boscobel House and its Royal Oak tree, played a starring roll in English history, when in 1651, it became a refuge for Charles ll. He was fleeing for his life after his Civil War defeat in the Battle of Worcester.  You’ll learn how Charles hid for 14 hours in the Royal Oak before spending a cramped night in a priest’s hole.

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Drawing on his experience of being a travel agent in the 70s & 80s, the talk focuses on the popularity of the package holiday, from its low-key start with Thomas Cook to the multi-million-pound industry we have today. We weave our way through the trends in accommodation, destinations, and transport….and reminisce a little as we travel through the years.

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Sarah Bellamy was a convict on the First Fleet to Australia. She was one of the longest-living first fleeters.  She was convicted on the 9 July 1785 for robbing a purse full of cash and promissory notes containing 630 shillings. Bellamy was sentenced to seven years transportation.  It took 252 days to reach Botany Bay.

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Although often thought of as ‘mad’, this extremely clever monarch laid the foundations of science and industry in 18th century England.  He left us with the richest country in the world.

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This afternoon we welcome the brilliant Max Keen with another of his entertaining and informative talks, this time on Clive of India.
Major-General Robert Clive was an English soldier, administrator, and the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency.  Arriving in India as a penniless 19-year-old clerk for the East India Company, his ruthless military leadership established the foundation of British dominance across the subcontinent. His legacy remains deeply polarizing; he is simultaneously remembered as a brilliant military commander who secured an empire and a corrupt, greedy speculator whose actions devastated local populations.

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Modern tourism encourages us to try and experience far off destinations in a very short period of time.  
This talk looks at the results!

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Dragonflies are the essence of summer and source of beauty and inspiration. They are some of the largest insects alive today: masters of the air and supreme predators.  This is a ‘light’ introduction to the lifecycle of dragonflies and uses many of Kevin’s own photographs.                     

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