January 14th
Mike Baker - "Cyber Crime and Cyber Warfare"
The talk covers some of the basic techniques used by cyber criminals and explains how they work, with examples. It will go on to illustrate how similar cyber techniques are used as part of cyber warfare.
February 11th
Louise Camby -"Capturing the Curvature of the Earth on Concorde"
This is your chance to hear about the experience of flying on Concorde, and more. What about that awful fatal accident in Paris? Why doesn't Concorde fly any more? In her talk Louise gives lots of facts, memorabilia, and photos of her trip and of all the BA Concordes in their final resting place having visited them all.
March 11th
Mike Payne -"The History of Pinewood Studios"
A look at one of Buckinghamshire's most famous sites and the rollercoaster development of the studios over the last 80 years. Featuring many famous faces and some personal memories of stars and personalities who have worked there.
April 8th-Alan Fitzgerald -"Does Britain Really Make Anything Anymore"
The 2026 AGM will be held on 8th April at 1.45 for 2pm start. This will be followed by refreshments before the talk by Alan Fitzgerald. 'This presentation will examine what's happened to British industry since the Industrial Revolution. Following a retrospective of Britain's contributions to the world's economies, it will focus on events since the end of the second world war that have affected Britain and shaped its industrial heritage. Finally, it will examine the technologies that need to be adopted to ensure our survival as a leading industrial power.
May 13th-Jennifer Cowling "Those Extraordinary Things We Say"
We all use phrases such as 'a turn up for the books', 'cupboard love', 'being taken to the cleaners', 'sod's law', 'having a whale of a time', or 'tickled pink' in our daily conversation, oblivious to the fact that many of our listeners have no idea what we're talking about. Why is our language so strange and difficult to analyse at times? What are its origins? A light-hearted look at English figures of speech and how we use them.
June 10th Paul Barwick -The Salisbury Novichok Poisonings
Focused on the events of March 2018, we explore the infamous plot to kill a former Russian spy here in the United Kingdom with a deadly poison called Novichok, and the terrible consequences for the residents of Salisbury.
July 8th John Tyler The Ridgeway
The Ridgeway can claim to be one of the oldest trackways in Europe, stretching nearly ninety miles from Ivinghoe to Avebury, and over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day. This talk offers a blister-free walk along this ancient chalk path, describing both its prehistory and the rich wildlife that it supports today.
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 specatular 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 Pantimime. After all, its the only theatrical form we British ever invented.
