PROGRAMME 2009
1st October Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Mr John Ericson
Inn Signia: The artwork and stories behind peculiar pub names
Mr. Ericson has had a wide ranging career in education and training that has given him the opportunity to lecture as well as make presentations at conferences all over the world.
Inns and public houses are a rich part of Britain’s heritage and their often idiosyncratic names and signs provide us with some fascinating stories and wonderful artwork. Why are there so many pubs called ‘The Red Lion’, ‘The White Hart’ or 'The Crown'? Who could fail to be intrigued by stories behind ‘The Drunken Duck’, 'The Blazing Donkey' or ‘The Cow and Snuffers’ or even ‘I am the Only Running Footman’ (the longest pub name in London). In a light hearted talk John shows examples of some of the most distinctive signs and tells the story of inn signs and their origins.
5th November Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Dr Neil Faulkner
Gods, Heroes and Mortals: The Greek Myths in ancient Art
Dr Faulkner is a writer, lecturer, excavator, occasional broadcaster and has appeared on Channel 4's Time Team and BBC2's Timewatch. He is Features Editor of Current Archaeology, Hon. Research Fellow, Bristol University, Hon. Lecturer at UCL and Director of numerous Archaeological sites in the Mediterranean
Neil Faulkner is a writer, lecturer, excavator, and occasional broadcaster. He has appeared on Channel 4's Time Team and BBC2's Timewatch, and is Features Editor of Current Archaeology. Fully illustrated with images from ancient art, his talk will explore the complexities and mysteries of the Greek myths. Through the famous stories of pagan gods, larger-than-life heroes, and a gallery of monsters and wicked women, we will enter the 'thought-world' of the ancient Greeks.
3rd December Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Mr Colin Booth
Bach: Christmas in Leipzig
Colin Booth, who lives locally, specializes in both making and playing early keyboard instruments. His lecture about Bach's life and work will use musical examples, both recorded and played live.
Colin Booth lives locally and makes harpsichords as well as playing them. He will give a lecture illustrated with both musical excerpts and images. Many music-lovers hold J. S. Bach to be the greatest musician who ever lived, and harpsichordist Colin Booth is one of these. Colin has not only made a particular study of Bach's method of composition (resulting in a recently published book: 'Did Bach really Mean That?') but has also grown to admire and love Bach the man. Like many great composers, Bach's life contained tragedy and everyday difficulty which he strove to overcome through his music. Colin's lecture will use musical examples, both recorded and played live at the harpsichord to illustrate crucial events in Bach's life. He will also focus upon Christmas celebrations at his workplace in Leipzig.
PROGRAMME 2010
January 7th Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Ms Louise Schofield
From the Land of the Golden Fleece: Scythian Gold
Ms Schofield was curator of Greek Bronze Age and geometric Antiquities in the British Museum from 1987 – 2000. She now writes books and runs archaeological projects in Turkey, Greece and Ethiopia. Her latest book, 'Mycenaeans', was published by the BM in 2007.
According to ancient Greek legend Jason and his fellow heroes went in search of the Golden Fleece – a journey full of perils that took them far from home. These perils have their roots in the very real dangers of the Black Sea whose waters the heroes braved in the fulfilment of their quest. They travelled to the land of the Scythians - a nomadic tribe of warrior horsemen who roamed the territory between the Danube and the Don, with the Black Sea coast its southern boundary. Their fabulous treasures - weapons, armour, jewellery, items of personal adornment and horse-trappings - all made of gold, silver and bronze - have been found in their grave tumuli and most of them are on display in the Heritage Museum in St Petersburg. Images of these exquisite works of art will help to illuminate for us the lives of the Scythians and the contacts they had with their neighbours the Persians and the Greeks (who had built cities on the Black Sea coast).
4th February Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Dr Timothy Mowl
The Historic Gardens of Somerset
Dr Mowl is a member of Bristol University's Dept. of Archaeology and Anthropology. He has seen a need for a country-wide analysis of historic gardens and landscapes and has, over the last 6 years, visited more than 540 gardens all over the West country. Dr Mowl has already published books on eight counties. He is currently researching and writing the next volume in his series on Somerset, to be published in 2010.
Timothy Mowl has embarked upon a nationwide survey of the Historic Gardens of England and has already published books on eight counties. In 2009 he will be researching and writing the next volume in his series on Somerset, which will be published early in 2010. His lavishly illustrated lecture will chart his Somerset year and offer new insights into gardens known, present sites unknown or lost, and convey the exciting discoveries he has made in the county. Above all the talk will be lively, provocative and controversial.
4th March Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Dr Frances Wood
Did Marco Polo Go to China? Tea, Spaghetti and Manuscripts
Frances Wood is curator of the Chinese collections in the British Library, author of a number of books on China. Notable amongst these is 'Hand Grenade Practice in Peking', recounting her experiences when a student in Peking during the mid-seventies.
The title tells it all – another provocative lecture and will suggest new thoughts on Marco Polo. Frances Wood is curator of the Chinese collections in the British Library and author of a number of books on China. All over the world, children learn about China by following in the footsteps of Marco Polo who is not only credited in the popular imagination with having virtually discovered China. He is also believed to have either taken spaghetti to China or brought noodles back.. In China, he is venerated for having brought China to the attention of Europe. Examination of the varied and often beautifully illustrated manuscripts of Polo's description of the world reveals a rather different picture.
1st April Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Ms Liz Lane
How Composers Compose – Musical Innovation, Inspiration and Industry: A Composer’s Perspective
Liz Lane is a professional composer and arranger who started writing music at the age of six. With the help of musical excerpts, she describes the process of creating music – from developing an embryonic musical idea to editing for a performance. She is currently completing a PhD in Composition
Liz Lane is a professional composer and arranger who started writing music at the age of six. With the help of images and musical excerpts she describes the process of creating music, from developing an embryonic musical idea to editing for a performance. Currently completing a PhD in Composition, she also discusses the wider aspects of a composer’s life, such as making a living, gaining commissions, collaborating with other musicians and the fear and joy of a first performance.
RE-SCHEDULED LECTURE FROM JANUARY
April 15th Thursday 7.30 p.m.
Ms Louise Schofield
From the Land of the Golden Fleece: Scythian Gold
Ms Schofield was curator of Greek Bronze Age and geometric Antiquities in the British Museum from 1987 – 2000. She now writes books and runs archaeological projects in Turkey, Greece and Ethiopia. Her latest book, 'Mycenaeans', was published by the BM in 2007.
According to ancient Greek legend Jason and his fellow heroes went in search of the Golden Fleece – a journey full of perils that took them far from home. These perils have their roots in the very real dangers of the Black Sea whose waters the heroes braved in the fulfilment of their quest. They travelled to the land of the Scythians - a nomadic tribe of warrior horsemen who roamed the territory between the Danube and the Don, with the Black Sea coast its southern boundary. Their fabulous treasures - weapons, armour, jewellery, items of personal adornment and horse-trappings - all made of gold, silver and bronze - have been found in their grave tumuli and most of them are on display in the Heritage Museum in St Petersburg. Images of these exquisite works of art will help to illuminate for us the lives of the Scythians and the contacts they had with their neighbours the Persians and the Greeks (who had built cities on the Black Sea coast).