STOUR VALLEY U3A

2018 SPEAKER PROGRAMME

DATE SUBJECT SPEAKER

10th January A TUDOR CHRISTMAS Sarah Doig & Tony The festive season under Henry VIII & Elizabeth I using words, & Jane Scheuregger

music & images, including instruments from the period. Many of Ancestral Voices

today’s carols & Christmas traditions originated in the Medieval

& Tudor eras. Hear carols as you may not have heard them before!

14th February SCOTT, AMUNDSEN & THE RACE to THE SOUTH POLE Robert Burridge

The speaker concentrates on the personalities of both men, their Historical subjects

leadership styles and the equipment they used to show their speaker

characters & their epic achievements in the face of huge difficulties

14th March THE LIFE and ART of SIR ALFRED MUNNINGS Marcia Whiting

An illustrated presentation exploring his life story & wide ranging Curatorial Associate,

subject matter, including portraits, landscapes & rural scenes, as The Munnings Art

well as the horse paintings for which he was so well known. Museum

11th April GM CROPS – WHERE ARE WE NOW? Dr Penny Hundleby

Dr Hundleby covers what Genetically Modified technology is, Crop Genetics

how it has developed from the first GM crops, how the new John Innes Centre technology of gene editing fits in, the current situation worldwide Norwich & what is in the pipeline.

9th May WILLIAM PRETTY – A SUFFOLK FAMILY Roger Kennell AND CORSET MANUFACTURER Local Historian

This illustrated presentation follows the major corset making

business of William Pretty & Son at Ipswich (& its outpost

factories) which was part of the Footman Pretty department store,

now Debenhams.

13th June CHOCOLATE Tony Diamond

The history of the colourful discovery of chocolate & the spread Historical subjects

of the hot drink to Europe, astonishing aspects of chocolate & an speaker

overview of the financial importance of chocolate to the UK.

11th July. ROUND THE WORLD ON A CONTAINER SHIP Peter Hesketh

Positively not a cruise! As a lone passenger for most of 4 months Former Police Officer

Peter explains the attraction of, & comments on, life at sea when & Merchant Navy Purser

the ships spend so little time in port.

12th September REMEMBRANCE AND THE GREAT WAR Taff Gillingham

A VERY BRITISH VIEW Historian

Taff Gillingham advises film makers, emphasising the need for

historical accuracy. He will give a different perspective on the

1914/18 War.

10th October SILK WEAVING IN SUDBURY Richard Heap

The talk will cover the history of silk weaving and how it came to Production Director

Sudbury; the Silk Road from China to Sudbury; how silk yarns are Stephen Walters & Sons

processed; the silk trade, partnerships & relationships with supplier Ltd

and customer, and how the company engages with the local

community and the environment.

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14th November THE COAST OF EAST ANGLIA David Simmonds

The East Anglian coast is full of contrasts and has much beauty, National Trust speaker

history and wildlife. David Simmonds’ talk focuses especially on & volunteer.

National Trust coastal properties in Essex and Suffolk.

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