Click on any of the links below to take you to a short description of the presentation or event
Christiane Bouissié of the Pézenas Twinning Association talked to us about the activities of one of our fellow Pézenas associations which is forging links between our town and Market Drayton in the UK
The Western Isles where it hardly ever goes below 7c or above 17c: fresh air, white sand beaches, excellent seafood, flowery fields, ancient history! The only part of Britain where the majority of the population speak Gaelic. Join Katherine for a 'tour' of the landscape, language, music, migration, tragedy, tweed, and brief stories of two women native to the islands whose actions resonate to the present day...
The Magical Kingdom at the Roof of the World. Tucked between Tibet and Bhutan, annexed by India in 1975, famous for its monasteries and mountains, its temples and its tea. Our globetrotting friend brings us photos and tales of this ancient and remote gem.
YPRES 1914 “Paris by Xmas!” exclaim the German papers. Ypres, Belgium, November 1914. French, British and Belgian troops have been desperately resisting the advance of the massive German Army. Now the Germans target the tattered remnants of the British Army for a break-through. A brWednesday 3 June 2026: Raymonde: French public holidays
Remembering the East Lancashire Loom Breakers of 1826: Catherine Boyle. In an age when we are seeking to understand the benefits and threats of AI for our lives and work, some are reflecting on whether there are historical parallels in the widespread uprisings of the 19th century as Britain became the world’s first industrialised nation. As we approach the 200th anniversary of these events, Catherine will tell the story of her 4 x great grandfather, Simeon Wright, convicted in 1826 as one of the East Lancashire ‘rioters’. This has been the start of a journey, leading Catherine to discover other aspects of her Lancashire heritage from poetry in desperate times to the uplifting and still thriving brass band tradition.
Denis commenced by discussing ancient computing devices such as the abacus. He proceeded with early mechanical devices such as the 19th century analytic engines. The 2nd world war made great advances and stored program computers were created soon after the war. Computers became faster and more powerful. Computer networks were developed and allowed the creation of the World Wide Web.
Claude Alranq is the Founder of the “Théâtre de la Carriera” (1968) and an artisan of the renaissance of southern French and Occitan theatre. Alranq wrote, directed and performed some fifty works closely linked to local and international events, in the diverse Francophone settings, both in France (Pays d'oc, Bretagne, Catalogne, Pays Basque...) and elsewhere (Mali, Kanaky and Outremer...).
Denis Anthony/Katherine Duffy: The home of Lady Jane Grey - queen of nine days, and the only village to have moved a motorway (M1) which would have destroyed Bradgate Park - given for the quiet enjoyment of the people of Leicestershire by industialist Charles Bennion.
Elfie Majoie: Elfie gave us an insight into the mysteries which can be unravelled via DNA testing. She explained how the tests work and how testing can be used to trace close relatives. She shared with us the story of how, such a test unravelled a family secret which had been hidden for decades.