September 9th Jim Ellis How we remember and why we forget
How do we comprehend, remember and retrieve information, and do we all do this in the same way? Jim explains and demonstrates this with various examples, and dispels some common myths about the brain and memory. He also encourages some audience participation - but only if people are comfortable doing so.
October 14th Dr Kathryn Harkup Making the Monster - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
An exploration of the science behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Is there any science behind the science fiction? How would a real-life Victor Frankenstein have gone about creating his monster? The century before its publication saw huge advances in our understanding of science, particularly electricity and physiology. Sensational science demonstrations caught the imagination of the general public, and newspapers were full of lurid tales of murderers and resurrectionists. From stories of artificial life and experimental surgery to monsters and electrical experiments on human cadavers, Dr Harkup examines the science and scientists that influenced Shelley and inspired her most famous creation.
November 11th Bruce Winton Organising events at Hampton Court Palace and Winchester Cathedral
A glimpse at the lesser known challenges of running Hampton Court Palace and Winchester Cathedral on a daily basis, and for special events. For example, why do historic venues need sugar cubes? How do parrots and pigeons feature?
9th December Wayne Newport Pantomime - the Classic British Tradition
Illustrated talk exploring the history of Pantomime. From its origins in the Middle Ages, through to the lavish spectacular productions of today. Stories, traditions, characters - Lots of tales to tell...... Oh Yes, he has! There's no business like show business, and there is nothing like Pantomime. After all, its the only theatrical form we British ever invented.
2027 Programme
13th January
Dr Helen Fry WWII Thomas Kendrick, Spymaster
Helen is an authority on the secret listeners. Her extensive research has shed light on one of the greatest intelligence deceptions of WWII, the bugging of Hitler's generals. She will focus on Thomas Kendrick who, for 30 years,was the most senior spymaster in Europe for SIS – the British Intelligence Service (MI6).
10th February Mike Baker
“The Corn Exchange, Wallingford”
The Corn Exchange Theatre in Wallingford is owned by The Sinodun Players. This talk will go through the history of the building, how The Sinodun Players came to own it and how we put on shows.
10th March TBC
14th April Jenny Mallin
“Railways in India”
We learn how obstacles were overcome with engineering achievements to provide a suitable way for trains to travel along a series of mountains with 1:37 gradients all with the aim of trading commodities for the East India Company. We end with a lighthearted look at the difficulties faced by the author 30 years ago when trying to buy a train ticket in India.
12th May Bruno Guastalla
“Violin Making”
An illustrated talk on the multi-faceted craft of violin and cello making, the delights and difficulties in trying to get better at it, touching on history, ideas and materials.
9th June Chrissie Gaines
“Owls and Birds of Prey”
'Chrissie's Owls' is a non-profit organisation committed to the care and conservation of owls, This talk is about the work they carry out in providing owl rescue services for Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, and about owls in general. Chrissie will be accompanied by two live owls.
14th July Dr Martin Holmes
“Rishi Sunak – A Reputation Revised”
Falling to a heavy defeat in the 2024 General Election the early promise of Rishi Sunak’s Premiership had long evaporated. But was he unlucky rather than unsuccessful and a victim of his own party’s vicious ideological infighting?
8th September Dr Jane Sellwood
“Man Flu, Bird Flu, Seasonal Flu, is Covid a Flu now?”
The influenza viruses are major health hazards to both humans and animals. This talk will describe the current global picture of flu infections and how we can combat them – or not.
13th October Ian Lowry
“RAF Medmenham”
RAF Medmenham was not a typical RAF base during WWII. There were more women than usual, and many of the men were older than other RAF officers. Among these people were some of the best academic brains in Britain. There were archaeologists, geologists, physicists and mathematicians. There were sculptors, artists, musicians and writers as well as the Prime Minister's daughter. Between them, these photographic interpreters invented an entirely new science which helped to determine the outcome of the War.
10th November John Tyler
'The Changing Wildlife of the Chilterns'
This talk follows the wildlife of our area through the course of a hundred million years, from tropical seas, through Ice Ages to the present, and looks at what the future may hold?
8th December Avis Furness
“Gordon Russell of Broadway”
Gordon Russell was a design pioneer—a furniture designer, maker, calligrapher, entrepreneur, educator, and advocate of accessible, well-crafted design. Educated in the Arts and Crafts tradition of the Cotswolds, he believed that good design profoundly impacts people’s lives. His great skill lay in bridging the gap between hand and machine, craft and design, theory and practice, landscape and architecture. His influence on modern design includes the Utility Furniture produced in WWII and the famous Coventry Cathedral Chair.
