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 : [email protected]
Note: Red links will take you to the speakers website.
Note: Red links will take you to the speakers website.
6th November 2024 Antonia Keaney
'A Passion for Fashion - 300 Years of Style at Blenheim Palace'
Antonia, Blenheim’s own social history researcher at the Palace, will look at the clothes, underclothes, shoes and accessories which would have been worn by some of the more colourful characters in the Palace’s 300-year history – as well as a look at the House of Dior’s continuing special relationship with Blenheim Palace.
The part that arsenic, lead, mercury and mousetraps played in the trends of the day is considered and how, then as now, people went to the most extraordinary lengths to keep abreast of fashion. Metre high wigs, killer cosmetics and fabric dyes which would cause permanent damage to the wearer were not unusual – nor was the involvement of mice in what had to be one of the most bizarre moments in 18th century fashion!
'A Passion for Fashion - 300 Years of Style at Blenheim Palace'
Antonia, Blenheim’s own social history researcher at the Palace, will look at the clothes, underclothes, shoes and accessories which would have been worn by some of the more colourful characters in the Palace’s 300-year history – as well as a look at the House of Dior’s continuing special relationship with Blenheim Palace.
The part that arsenic, lead, mercury and mousetraps played in the trends of the day is considered and how, then as now, people went to the most extraordinary lengths to keep abreast of fashion. Metre high wigs, killer cosmetics and fabric dyes which would cause permanent damage to the wearer were not unusual – nor was the involvement of mice in what had to be one of the most bizarre moments in 18th century fashion!
4th December 2024 Mike Hurst
'Old Time Christmas'
Mike is a local historian from the Goring Gap Local History Society. He will present a light-hearted review of the social history of Christmas followed by a nostalgic look at the minutia of Christmas at home in Britain in the mid 20th century.
“We had one of those” comments’ are distinctly possible!
'Old Time Christmas'
Mike is a local historian from the Goring Gap Local History Society. He will present a light-hearted review of the social history of Christmas followed by a nostalgic look at the minutia of Christmas at home in Britain in the mid 20th century.
“We had one of those” comments’ are distinctly possible!
Note change of day
Tuesday 7th January 2025 Mark Hines
'The story of Broadcasting House: Home of the BBC'
Broadcasting House was built in 1932 to house the headquarters of the BBC. The building quickly became an architectural icon, a symbol of broadcasting recognised around the world. It was recently rescued from obsolescence, refurbished and expanded to refit it for life in the digital age. Mark was the project architect responsible for the £1.4bn conservation and remodelling work and he will tell us the complete story of the BBC from its early years through to the present day.
Tuesday 7th January 2025 Mark Hines
'The story of Broadcasting House: Home of the BBC'
Broadcasting House was built in 1932 to house the headquarters of the BBC. The building quickly became an architectural icon, a symbol of broadcasting recognised around the world. It was recently rescued from obsolescence, refurbished and expanded to refit it for life in the digital age. Mark was the project architect responsible for the £1.4bn conservation and remodelling work and he will tell us the complete story of the BBC from its early years through to the present day.
5th February 2025 Steve Capel-Davies
'Ways over water: a history of Thames crossings'
This talk will fords look at, ferries, bridges and a couple of tunnels from Roman times, presenting us with examples from the whole River Thames but also including items of local interest.
Steve has had a lifetime of working on the Thames, starting nearly 50 years ago with the Thames Conservancy before moving into private practice with Peter Brett Associates based in Reading. He has a real interest in, and deep knowledge of the history of the Thames. He is now Chair of The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWHAS).
'Ways over water: a history of Thames crossings'
This talk will fords look at, ferries, bridges and a couple of tunnels from Roman times, presenting us with examples from the whole River Thames but also including items of local interest.
Steve has had a lifetime of working on the Thames, starting nearly 50 years ago with the Thames Conservancy before moving into private practice with Peter Brett Associates based in Reading. He has a real interest in, and deep knowledge of the history of the Thames. He is now Chair of The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWHAS).
5th March 2025 Lizzie Rowe
'John Piper, his life and work'
During his long and immensely productive life, John Egerton Christmas Piper (1903-92) created paintings, drawings, photographs and prints, designed stained-glass and sets for both operas and plays, made ceramics and wrote extensively about the landscape and the arts. From an early age he was particularly fascinated by churches, cycling around Surrey as a boy to sketch them, and this interest in places and spaces lasted for the rest of his life.
His home for many decades was Fawley Bottom Farmhouse near Henley-on-Thames. The house is located at a spot where three counties meet and, appropriately enough, became a meeting place for many of the most famous and cultural luminaries of the day. This talk will aim to bring together all the disparate strands of Piper’s life and work, presenting you with many memorable and beautiful images.
Lizzy is an art historian who studied Classics at Oxford University before completing an MA in Classical and Byzantine Art at the Courtauld Institute in London. Initially an editor in book-publishing, she also worked at English Heritage as a guidebook editor. She currently lives in Oxford where she teaches Art History in primary schools and gives guided tours and talks.
'John Piper, his life and work'
During his long and immensely productive life, John Egerton Christmas Piper (1903-92) created paintings, drawings, photographs and prints, designed stained-glass and sets for both operas and plays, made ceramics and wrote extensively about the landscape and the arts. From an early age he was particularly fascinated by churches, cycling around Surrey as a boy to sketch them, and this interest in places and spaces lasted for the rest of his life.
His home for many decades was Fawley Bottom Farmhouse near Henley-on-Thames. The house is located at a spot where three counties meet and, appropriately enough, became a meeting place for many of the most famous and cultural luminaries of the day. This talk will aim to bring together all the disparate strands of Piper’s life and work, presenting you with many memorable and beautiful images.
Lizzy is an art historian who studied Classics at Oxford University before completing an MA in Classical and Byzantine Art at the Courtauld Institute in London. Initially an editor in book-publishing, she also worked at English Heritage as a guidebook editor. She currently lives in Oxford where she teaches Art History in primary schools and gives guided tours and talks.
2nd April 2025 Jonathon Stamp
'The Lost Library of Herculaneum - Villa of the Papyri'
The ‘Villa of the Papyri’, unearthed in 1750 during excavations at Herculaneum on the Bay of Naples, was the richest privately owned Roman villa ever discovered. Even more importantly, it was also the site of the only library from the ancient world ever to be found in situ - from which it derives its current name.
This will be a talk exploring the extraordinary story of the Villa's excavation. It will focus on recent game-changing scientific breakthroughs, (some achieved at the local Harwell Science and Innovation Campus), that suggest the papyrus scrolls found in the Villa could finally be read in their entirety, after more than two and a half centuries spent trying. It will also investigate the tantalising possibility that there are more scrolls still to be found in an as yet unexcavated part of the Villa'.
'The Lost Library of Herculaneum - Villa of the Papyri'
The ‘Villa of the Papyri’, unearthed in 1750 during excavations at Herculaneum on the Bay of Naples, was the richest privately owned Roman villa ever discovered. Even more importantly, it was also the site of the only library from the ancient world ever to be found in situ - from which it derives its current name.
This will be a talk exploring the extraordinary story of the Villa's excavation. It will focus on recent game-changing scientific breakthroughs, (some achieved at the local Harwell Science and Innovation Campus), that suggest the papyrus scrolls found in the Villa could finally be read in their entirety, after more than two and a half centuries spent trying. It will also investigate the tantalising possibility that there are more scrolls still to be found in an as yet unexcavated part of the Villa'.
7th May 2025 Dr Jane Selwood
'Water: How we use it, and abuse it'
The talk will cover sewage treatment, drinking water treatment, national and global water issues.
Jane is a retired Clinical Scientist who led national and international research projects as head of the Health Protection Agency Water Virology Unit. This research interest in the virus content of sewage, fresh and marine water has led to a wider appreciation of the global importance of water issues.
'Water: How we use it, and abuse it'
The talk will cover sewage treatment, drinking water treatment, national and global water issues.
Jane is a retired Clinical Scientist who led national and international research projects as head of the Health Protection Agency Water Virology Unit. This research interest in the virus content of sewage, fresh and marine water has led to a wider appreciation of the global importance of water issues.
4th June 2025 Simon Keable-Elliott
'Utterly Immoral: Robert Keable and his scandalous novel'
Robert Keable was a Chaplain in WW1 who, after the war, wrote a novel called "Simon Called Peter", which shone a light on life behind the front lines during the war. The central story centred on an affair between a chaplain and a nurse. The book was considered to be so "utterly immoral" by F Scott Fitzgerald, that he mocked it in The Great Gatsby. It became a huge international bestseller and despite being banned in parts of America, it went on to spawn a Broadway play and the sequel became a Hollywood movie. The author's life was truly extraordinary. As a child he was an evangelical preacher. He won a scholarship to Cambridge, became a priest, worked in Zanzibar as a missionary and wrote devotional books. He left the church after a year as a teacher and an affair with a lorry driver; fled to live in Tahiti and 'married' a Tahitian princess.
Simon Keable-Elliott has written a biography of his remarkable grandfather, Robert.
'Utterly Immoral: Robert Keable and his scandalous novel'
Robert Keable was a Chaplain in WW1 who, after the war, wrote a novel called "Simon Called Peter", which shone a light on life behind the front lines during the war. The central story centred on an affair between a chaplain and a nurse. The book was considered to be so "utterly immoral" by F Scott Fitzgerald, that he mocked it in The Great Gatsby. It became a huge international bestseller and despite being banned in parts of America, it went on to spawn a Broadway play and the sequel became a Hollywood movie. The author's life was truly extraordinary. As a child he was an evangelical preacher. He won a scholarship to Cambridge, became a priest, worked in Zanzibar as a missionary and wrote devotional books. He left the church after a year as a teacher and an affair with a lorry driver; fled to live in Tahiti and 'married' a Tahitian princess.
Simon Keable-Elliott has written a biography of his remarkable grandfather, Robert.
2nd July 2025 Carol Anderson
'The Ascott Martyrs: the women who went ‘over the hills to glory’
For a short time in the early 1870s, the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood achieved national fame, perhaps even notoriety, when 16 women (two with their babies) were jailed for supporting men striking in an attempt to force their employers to improve their meagre wages.
The women’s story sheds light on the conditions for agricultural labourers, who at that time made up the bulk of the rural population, and the early history of agricultural trade unionism in Oxfordshire. The extensive press coverage of the events of 1873 also reveals much about the everyday lives of these women whose actions presented such a startling contrast to the popular idea of passive, submissive, apolitical, Victorian womanhood.
Carol is Chair of The Ascott Martyrs Educational Trust
'The Ascott Martyrs: the women who went ‘over the hills to glory’
For a short time in the early 1870s, the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood achieved national fame, perhaps even notoriety, when 16 women (two with their babies) were jailed for supporting men striking in an attempt to force their employers to improve their meagre wages.
The women’s story sheds light on the conditions for agricultural labourers, who at that time made up the bulk of the rural population, and the early history of agricultural trade unionism in Oxfordshire. The extensive press coverage of the events of 1873 also reveals much about the everyday lives of these women whose actions presented such a startling contrast to the popular idea of passive, submissive, apolitical, Victorian womanhood.
Carol is Chair of The Ascott Martyrs Educational Trust
6th August 2025 Ann and John Ford
'Morris Minors in the media'
This presentation will be informative, light-hearted and often amusing, but definitely NOT all about engines and gearboxes. And look out for some 1950s and 1960s touches!
John Ford ably assisted by his wife Ann, ran a successful business hiring out their collection of Morris Minors (and some other classic cars) to film, TV and publishing companies spanning the period 1990-2015. Ann’s presentation, supported with a comprehensive photographic display and other memorabilia, includes personal recollections of major films and TV sitcoms. The cars were frequently used as ‘props’ in magazine advertising.
Eventually, they diversified to weddings, and some of them were very unusual indeed. They sometimes transported VIPs such as Members of Parliament and pop stars to charity events.
Questions and audience participation to view the display is encouraged at the end of the presentation.
'Morris Minors in the media'
This presentation will be informative, light-hearted and often amusing, but definitely NOT all about engines and gearboxes. And look out for some 1950s and 1960s touches!
John Ford ably assisted by his wife Ann, ran a successful business hiring out their collection of Morris Minors (and some other classic cars) to film, TV and publishing companies spanning the period 1990-2015. Ann’s presentation, supported with a comprehensive photographic display and other memorabilia, includes personal recollections of major films and TV sitcoms. The cars were frequently used as ‘props’ in magazine advertising.
Eventually, they diversified to weddings, and some of them were very unusual indeed. They sometimes transported VIPs such as Members of Parliament and pop stars to charity events.
Questions and audience participation to view the display is encouraged at the end of the presentation.
3rd September 2025 Dr Katherine Bradley
'Creative Women - the history of women involved in the Arts and Crafts Movement in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds'
The Arts and Crafts movement flourished from the 1880s until the 1930s. In Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds this was mainly through William Morris and his wife and three daughters and Charles Ashbee and his wife. Many talented and creative women contributed to the arts and crafts, ranging from printing, bookbinding, weaving, embroidery, and design. This talk will focus on some of these women such as May Morris; the bookbinder Katharine Adams, the textile designers Phyllis Baron and Dorothy Larcher and the illustrator, stained glass designer and embroiderer, Mary J. Newill.'
Katherine has long been fascinated by women’s history. She gives talks on various aspects of 19th and 20th century women’s history linked to Oxfordshire. She taught history and social sciences at the Open University and history at Oxford Brookes. She was a co-founder of the annual Oxford International Women’s Festival.
'Creative Women - the history of women involved in the Arts and Crafts Movement in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds'
The Arts and Crafts movement flourished from the 1880s until the 1930s. In Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds this was mainly through William Morris and his wife and three daughters and Charles Ashbee and his wife. Many talented and creative women contributed to the arts and crafts, ranging from printing, bookbinding, weaving, embroidery, and design. This talk will focus on some of these women such as May Morris; the bookbinder Katharine Adams, the textile designers Phyllis Baron and Dorothy Larcher and the illustrator, stained glass designer and embroiderer, Mary J. Newill.'
Katherine has long been fascinated by women’s history. She gives talks on various aspects of 19th and 20th century women’s history linked to Oxfordshire. She taught history and social sciences at the Open University and history at Oxford Brookes. She was a co-founder of the annual Oxford International Women’s Festival.
1st October 2025 Anna Dillon and Jonathon Davidson
'Downland'
Downland is a recently published book of paintings and poems by artist Anna Dillon and writer Jonathan Davidson. They have each known the Berkshire Downs for most of their lives, and the book is a creative guidebook to the most popular stretch of the Ridgeway National Trail, including where it descends to cross the Thames at Streatley.
Using projections of some of her stunning paintings, Anna will talk about her work as a painter based in Aston Tirrold while Jonathan will talk about why the Downs are so inspiring to writers as well as painters. Copies of Downland will be available for sale following the presentation.
'Downland'
Downland is a recently published book of paintings and poems by artist Anna Dillon and writer Jonathan Davidson. They have each known the Berkshire Downs for most of their lives, and the book is a creative guidebook to the most popular stretch of the Ridgeway National Trail, including where it descends to cross the Thames at Streatley.
Using projections of some of her stunning paintings, Anna will talk about her work as a painter based in Aston Tirrold while Jonathan will talk about why the Downs are so inspiring to writers as well as painters. Copies of Downland will be available for sale following the presentation.
5th November 2025 Philip Chamberlain
'Farming today and tomorrow – how to achieve sustainability'
Crowmarsh Battle Farms Ltd, Benson is one of Wallingford’s most notable neighbours, currently farming about 3500 acres around our area, some of which is owned and some contract-farmed for other landowners. Philip Chamberlain is Chairman of the company and the third generation of the family who have been farming here since 1894. The farm is now managed by his two sons and the fourth generation have recently entered the family business. The farm has been a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Demonstration Farm since 1996.
The farm is an all-arable enterprise, growing wheat, barley, oil seed rape, beans and poppies, underpinned by sound crop rotations and a determined habitat creation scheme. Farming has evolved dramatically in recent years and the farm has pioneered use of satellite-guidance, soil and crop mapping to help fine tune management decisions.
Philip will talk about the risks and challenges of farming in a changing world and how farming is responding to the latest threats.
'Farming today and tomorrow – how to achieve sustainability'
Crowmarsh Battle Farms Ltd, Benson is one of Wallingford’s most notable neighbours, currently farming about 3500 acres around our area, some of which is owned and some contract-farmed for other landowners. Philip Chamberlain is Chairman of the company and the third generation of the family who have been farming here since 1894. The farm is now managed by his two sons and the fourth generation have recently entered the family business. The farm has been a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Demonstration Farm since 1996.
The farm is an all-arable enterprise, growing wheat, barley, oil seed rape, beans and poppies, underpinned by sound crop rotations and a determined habitat creation scheme. Farming has evolved dramatically in recent years and the farm has pioneered use of satellite-guidance, soil and crop mapping to help fine tune management decisions.
Philip will talk about the risks and challenges of farming in a changing world and how farming is responding to the latest threats.