21st January, 2019: ‘Unknown Iran’ – Dr. Javad Hashemi
Dr. Hashemi gave us an insight into how Iran has developed since ancient times into the country it is today. We were given a brief history of the geographical area and countries surrounding Iran and how people from these countries have settled in different areas of Iran influencing the culture, language and architecture of Iran over centuries. We were also shown how the landscape of Iran varies across the country from desert to fertile land, gardens and mountains.
Dr Javad Hashemi
18th March, 2019: ‘Back-stage Stories from Birmingham REP’ – Linda Hisgett
Linda and her colleagues gave us a light-hearted, behind-the-scenes look at some lesser known incidents in, and aspects of the history of Birmingham Repertory Theatre (‘the Rep’).
Birmingham Rep
15th April, 2019: ‘The Work of the RSPB at Middleton Lakes’ – Nick Martin (RSPB Site Manager)
Nick Martin from RSPB at Middleton gave a very detailed and informative talk about the site, from when it started to how it is today. We learnt a lot about the wildlife it attracts and how it is continually improving.
Nick Martin
20th May, 2019: ‘Local Rogues, Villains and Thieves’ – Vanessa Morgan
Vanessa Morgan gave us semi-dramatised excerpts from her collection of factual stories from the 19th Century which feature local murders, bank robberies, train robberies and other crimes.
17th June, 2019: ‘The Trial of King Richard III’ – Eddie Smallwood
King Richard III has often been accused of the murder of his two nephews, the princes in the Tower. Eddie Smallwood asked us to become involved in a fictional dramatisation of ‘The Trial of Richard III’ so that we could weigh the evidence one way or the other. Unanimously, we agreed that Richard was innocent of the charge!
15th July, 2019: ‘Tunes from the Appalachian Mountains’ – The Harvesters Trio
The musicians in The Harvesters Trio play about 10 different instruments between them. They brought us some tunes, traditional songs and dances ‘from the back porch’ in the Appalachian Mountains of North America, as well as telling us something of the history of music from this area.
19th August, 2019: ‘Spaced Out in the Sixties’ – Andrew Lound
Andrew Lound first came to us in 2016 with a talk on ‘The Titanic’. He returned to tell us about another of his research interests – the space programme of the 1960’s. He showed us ‘a wonderful soundtrack, stunning images and amazing video’ as he recounted the development of space exploration.
16th September, 2019: ‘The Restoration of Middleton Hall’ – Brian Teall
Brian told us more about discoveries at this unique site, where no fewer than five houses from different periods have been found.
21st October, 2019: ‘There’s Nothing Like a Good Conspiracy’ – Mike Watkins
Mike Watkins gave a humorous talk on conspiracy theories.
18th November, 2019: ‘The Life of Alfred Wainwright and what he inspired Hugh Sharp to do’ – Hugh Sharp
Hugh Sharp gave a talk on the life of Alfred Wainwright, who devoted thirteen years of his life to writing, ‘The Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells’. Hugh told the story of Wainwright and included the long distance footpaths he himself has walked since 2000.
Hugh Sharp