6th February – Paul Dyson – Camping Wild in Botswana & Climbing
Mera Peak in Nepal
 

Paul Dyson shares two unforgettable travel experiences, from camping in the
wilderness of Botswana and observing wildlife at close quarters, to the
challenge of climbing Mera Peak high in the Himalayas. Combining adventure,
landscape and personal insight, this talk offers a vivid account of life on
safari and the demands and rewards of high-altitude mountaineering. A
fascinating journey across two very different parts of the world.
 

13th February - Dr John Florance – Sherlock Holmes: Literature’s First Super Sleuth
 

Dr John Florance explores the origins and enduring appeal of Sherlock
Holmes, the character who set the standard for the modern detective.
Tracing Holmes’s place in Victorian literature and popular culture, the talk
examines why his methods, personality and powers of deduction have
proved so influential and long-lasting. An engaging insight into one of
literature’s most iconic figures and the world that created him.
 

20th February – Ann Featherstone – The Blackpool Widow
 

Ann Featherstone presents the gripping true story known as The Blackpool
Widow, a case that shocked Edwardian Britain. This talk explores the events,
personalities and social attitudes surrounding the crime, revealing how
justice, media attention and public fascination combined to make it one of
the era’s most notorious cases. A compelling examination of crime, society
and scandal in early twentieth-century Britain.
 

27th February – Stephen Flinders - The Old Curiosity Boxes
 

Get into groups as Stephen Flinders presents a fascinating talk inspired by the series
The Old Curiosity Boxes. Exploring collections of intriguing objects and forgotten
treasures, Stephen reveals the stories behind everyday items and what they tell us
about life in the past. An entertaining and insightful journey into social history,
discovery, and the enduring appeal of antiques.