Summer Programme

30th April          New Orleans to New York – Roger Browne

Roger’s talk focuses on the links and influences between Jazz, born in New Orleans, and the heyday of Musical Theatre in New York. Many of the melodic structures used by the great American composers for their stage productions were inspired by the music of the Jazz greats, and many of those well known tunes have, in turn, found their way into much of the modern jazz musician’s stock repertoire.

Recalling a lifetime of performing music in both genres, Roger illustrates with live examples on the piano and with stories of the people and events that have made his journey in music so memorable.

14th May       The History of Yorkshire’s Seaside Resorts – John Heywood

Between the two great rivers of the Humber and the Tees, there are over one hundred miles of glorious Yorkshire coastline, with many iconic seaside resorts.

John describes his talk as “a vintage coach tour along the Yorkshire coast and through history”, entertainingly telling the story of the development of the best loved coastal resorts, all the way back to the 17th century!

28th May        The Tale of Beatrix Potter – Janet Niepokojczycka

This is the story of the beloved author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter. Brought up in a Victorian middle class family, Beatrix was tutored at home by governesses and spent annual holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, where she was able to pursue her fascination with the world of natural history. This curiosity and passion for learning, combined with her artistic talents, eventually led to the publication of her first book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” – but there is so much more to learn about the life of this remarkable woman.

For many years, Janet was a Blue Badge Guide working in Cumbria, taking tourists to visit the places of interest around the Lake District - but by her own admission, Beatrix Potter’s house at Hill Top Farm was always her favourite spot.

11th June        Scientist or Politician – Who Has the Answer to Crime? - Professor Gloria Laycock OBE

Professor Laycock began her career as a prison psychologist and then moved to the Home Office Research Unit, where she remained for over 30 years, dedicating her time to research and development in policing. In 2001, Gloria was the founding director of the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at UCL, aiming to bring scientists from multiple disciplines into a collaboration with the police and find new ways to reduce and prevent repeat crimes.

In a down to earth way, Gloria will share some insights into her work, that has shaped policies within policing right across the world.

25th June      Annual Educational Visit to Hardwick Hall (See our “News” section for more details)

9th July         A Solo Walk Across Africa – Fran Sandham

Inspired by the great explorers, Fran Sandham left behind the daily grind of London to undertake an extraordinary adventure - walking solo across an entire continent from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast on the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean near Zanzibar, a distance of over 3,000 miles!

This talk is a funny and engaging account of Fran’s epic walk and the many ups and downs he endured, including his futile attempt to train a donkey to carry his 80lb backpack!

23rd July         Don’t Shoot the Messenger! – Peter Stemmer BEM

Full of anecdotes, this entertaining talk is about the history of Town Crying. What did a Town Crier do, and why do we still have Town Criers today?

Peter has been the Town Crier for Darlington since 1985 and delivers his talk in full livery!

6th August            Social afternoon with Quiz

20th August         Social afternoon with Book & Jigsaw Exchange

Autumn Term: 3rd September

AGM: 17th September