St Mary's Street Shops - Wallingford
Programme
If you would like to suggest a speaker, please complete this form and send to the Programme Secretary : prog.wtlp@gmail.com
February 2nd, 2022 ‘The Future of Infectious Diseases – Are We All Doomed?’ – Dr Noel Snell
Throughout history, epidemics of infectious disease have spread around the world, sometimes killing 50% or more of their victims - yet mankind has survived. New strains of old diseases, and entirely novel infections (new at least to humans) continue to occur, with apparently increasing frequency. Will humanity continue to be lucky?
Noel Snell is a physician and biologist with a particular interest in respiratory infections. He is now retired from clinical practice at the Royal Brompton Hospital, but continues to teach and participate in research as an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College.
Throughout history, epidemics of infectious disease have spread around the world, sometimes killing 50% or more of their victims - yet mankind has survived. New strains of old diseases, and entirely novel infections (new at least to humans) continue to occur, with apparently increasing frequency. Will humanity continue to be lucky?
Noel Snell is a physician and biologist with a particular interest in respiratory infections. He is now retired from clinical practice at the Royal Brompton Hospital, but continues to teach and participate in research as an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College.
March 2nd, 2022 ‘The Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Gardening the World' - Will Reid
This presentation by a representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will provide an overview of the organisation – its history, principles and the sites it cares for in the UK and around the world – and will then look in detail at how the horticulture in these sites is managed and cared for. The CWGC is continually developing its horticultural practices based on the changing environments of its cemeteries, so that to this day these remain beautiful spaces that blend into the landscape familiar to those who are commemorated within them. Find out more by clicking here.
This presentation by a representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will provide an overview of the organisation – its history, principles and the sites it cares for in the UK and around the world – and will then look in detail at how the horticulture in these sites is managed and cared for. The CWGC is continually developing its horticultural practices based on the changing environments of its cemeteries, so that to this day these remain beautiful spaces that blend into the landscape familiar to those who are commemorated within them. Find out more by clicking here.
April 6th, 2022 ‘Saints and Sinners' - Marigold Brass
Probus member Marigold Brass will give us an insight into her adventures in family history, picking out some of her more colourful forebears and explaining how she found them, what they did and the circumstances in which they lived.
Probus member Marigold Brass will give us an insight into her adventures in family history, picking out some of her more colourful forebears and explaining how she found them, what they did and the circumstances in which they lived.
May 4th, 2022 ‘Scandal in High Society Oxfordshire’ - Julie Ann Godson
Julie Ann Godson studied Modern History at the University of Oxford and worked for twenty years in publishing and design. Her latest book, Scandal in High Society Oxfordshire, tells twenty tales of the upper classes in trouble, involving secret love affairs, blackmail, murder and extortion! She will be offering signed copies of her book for sale on the day at the discounted price of £10.
Julie Ann Godson studied Modern History at the University of Oxford and worked for twenty years in publishing and design. Her latest book, Scandal in High Society Oxfordshire, tells twenty tales of the upper classes in trouble, involving secret love affairs, blackmail, murder and extortion! She will be offering signed copies of her book for sale on the day at the discounted price of £10.
June 1st, 2022 ‘Writing Henry I and His Abbey’ - Lindsay Mullaney
Over the years Lindsay Mullaney has been involved in many projects surrounding Reading Abbey and its founder Henry I. They include setting up the Hidden Abbey Project, which commissioned a Ground Penetrating Radar survey of the nave and the chancel, leading to several interesting insights, and the Hidden Abbey Stones Project, to locate surviving pieces of the Abbey.
Over the years Lindsay Mullaney has been involved in many projects surrounding Reading Abbey and its founder Henry I. They include setting up the Hidden Abbey Project, which commissioned a Ground Penetrating Radar survey of the nave and the chancel, leading to several interesting insights, and the Hidden Abbey Stones Project, to locate surviving pieces of the Abbey.
July 6th, 2022 ‘Famous Local Folk: Blue Plaques of South Oxfordshire’ - Marie Louise Kerr
Who has walked the hallowed streets of our villages and towns? Why not learn more about the famous people who called our area home – and who merited blue plaques to mark their stays!
Marie-Louise Kerr has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the heritage sector, including ten years as a curator looking after museum collections and developing exhibitions. She has cared for a wide variety of collections such as regimental, textile, social history, archaeology and the history of science.
Who has walked the hallowed streets of our villages and towns? Why not learn more about the famous people who called our area home – and who merited blue plaques to mark their stays!
Marie-Louise Kerr has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the heritage sector, including ten years as a curator looking after museum collections and developing exhibitions. She has cared for a wide variety of collections such as regimental, textile, social history, archaeology and the history of science.
August 3rd, 2022 ‘Who Has Done More for Health? The Doctor, the Scientist or the Engineer?’ - Professor David Perrett
Professor David Perrett is Professor Emeritus of Bionalytical Science at Queen Mary, University of London and Chairman of Greater London Industrial Archaeological Society. He lectures on a wide range of topics in the fields of general (popular) science and industrial archaeology.
Professor David Perrett is Professor Emeritus of Bionalytical Science at Queen Mary, University of London and Chairman of Greater London Industrial Archaeological Society. He lectures on a wide range of topics in the fields of general (popular) science and industrial archaeology.
September 7th, 2022 ‘Working with Veteran Soldiers in Burma’ - Sherry Scott
Sherry Scott spent 25 years looking after the Burmese old soldiers who fought alongside British forces during the Second World War but were forgotten by the Gunta and successive UK governments. She has visited Burma each year for the last 30 years to deliver money to those in need and raised over £1,000,000. On her return from Burma she had to report to the Duke of Edinburgh and was awarded the MBE for her work in the country.
Sherry Scott spent 25 years looking after the Burmese old soldiers who fought alongside British forces during the Second World War but were forgotten by the Gunta and successive UK governments. She has visited Burma each year for the last 30 years to deliver money to those in need and raised over £1,000,000. On her return from Burma she had to report to the Duke of Edinburgh and was awarded the MBE for her work in the country.
October 5th, 2022 ‘World War 2 Rationing and Cooking for Victory' - Karen Wiles
During this entertaining talk we will learn why rationing was necessary in WW2 and how the rationing system worked. The Ministry of Food tried to get the British public to eat some surprising things: some definitely didn’t take off, others became firm favourites. Discover the cost of eating out and find out how the British public kept the country going with the Dig for Victory campaign, keeping chickens, rabbits and pigs in their back gardens.
During this entertaining talk we will learn why rationing was necessary in WW2 and how the rationing system worked. The Ministry of Food tried to get the British public to eat some surprising things: some definitely didn’t take off, others became firm favourites. Discover the cost of eating out and find out how the British public kept the country going with the Dig for Victory campaign, keeping chickens, rabbits and pigs in their back gardens.
November 2nd, 2022 ‘The Brinks-Mat Robbery' - Brian Greenan
How did 2.5 tons of gold just disappear? Brian Greenan was a Scotland Yard detective who took part in the investigation into the 1983 Brinks-Mat Robbery when £27 million worth of gold was stolen. He will give us the inside story of the police investigation and the Brinks-Mat connections with the 2015 Hatton Garden Heist.
How did 2.5 tons of gold just disappear? Brian Greenan was a Scotland Yard detective who took part in the investigation into the 1983 Brinks-Mat Robbery when £27 million worth of gold was stolen. He will give us the inside story of the police investigation and the Brinks-Mat connections with the 2015 Hatton Garden Heist.
December 7th, 2022 ‘Working with the Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace' - Sarah Slater
Some ghostly tales for our Christmas meeting … Sarah Slater began working at Hampton Court Palace as a State Apartment Warder and Tourist Guide in 2008. Wearing one of her costumes, Sarah will give us a glimpse of what it is like to wander the galleries late at night, and explore the history, stories and sightings of the ghosts that have been reported over the last few hundred years.
Some ghostly tales for our Christmas meeting … Sarah Slater began working at Hampton Court Palace as a State Apartment Warder and Tourist Guide in 2008. Wearing one of her costumes, Sarah will give us a glimpse of what it is like to wander the galleries late at night, and explore the history, stories and sightings of the ghosts that have been reported over the last few hundred years.
January 4th, 2023 ‘Landscape of the Southwestern USA' - Janet Lello and Bernard Novell
Janet Lello, a Probus member and geography teacher, and Bernard Novell, a keen photographer, will take us on a visual journey of the southwestern states of the USA, with special reference to the landscape and its remarkable geology.
Janet Lello, a Probus member and geography teacher, and Bernard Novell, a keen photographer, will take us on a visual journey of the southwestern states of the USA, with special reference to the landscape and its remarkable geology.
February 1st, 2023 ‘The Corn Exchange, Wallingford' - Mike Baker
March 1st, 2023 ‘To the Roof of Africa: Climbing Kilimanjaro' - Graham Horn
We are familiar with the iconic view across the African plains of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. But what about the scenery and flora on the mountain, and what is it like to do the walk and stand on the top? Blue Badge Tourist Guide Graham Horn will show us the pictures and tell the stories.
We are familiar with the iconic view across the African plains of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. But what about the scenery and flora on the mountain, and what is it like to do the walk and stand on the top? Blue Badge Tourist Guide Graham Horn will show us the pictures and tell the stories.