I've added another new talk to my repertoire - 'Crime and Punishment, from the Anglo Saxons to the Present Day'.
Like all my talks it's illustrated with Power Point slides, 35 in this case, and takes about 50 minutes to deliver.

I now have a total of 14 talks, truly there is something there for everyone.

Unlike some speakers I provide all my own equipment, computer, projector, screen and extension lead - and I've had all my equipment PAT tested for safety.
All you would need to provide is a table and a convenient power outlet.

On Saturday the 17th March I gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Federation of Family History Societies, as a prelude to their AGM, on the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR).
This follows a similar one I gave to the Yorkshire Group of Family History Societies in February.

I've now decided to offer this to any society or group who are struggling with this new and complex piece of legislation. If you're interested and would like to know how the GDPR will affect your organisation please let me know.
The talk and visual aid covers all the essential elements of compliance with the GDPR and comes with a comprehensive information pack for each attender.
Fees are dependent on number of attenders and distance travelled, contact me for more details.

Had a very pleasant visit to Selby on Tuesday the 20th March to talk to the Selby and District Family History Group.
They had chosen the Pontefract Murder talk, even though it has no Selby connection but they seemed to enjoy it just the same. I think this illustrates the fact that although this murder was committed in Pontefract, it could have occurred anywhere, and the circumstances surrounding the case, the detection of the culprits, their trial and eventual execution, can be of interest to any group anywhere.

New Talk

My talk on the history of England's canals is now finished along with a PowerPoint presentation of over 30 slides.

It covers the period from the building of the Bridgewater canal in the 1760s up to the present day and the transformation of the canals from privately-owned commercial waterways into a state-owned leisure and tourist facility.

A New Almshouse Talk

I've made some changes to the Kingdom of Alms, making it not just about Pontefract.

It now includes details of those almshouses built on the great estates, such as the Gascoigne Estate at Aberford

 
and those constructed by the Victorian industrialists during the 19th century, such as these at Saltaire

 and I hope it will now appeal to groups outside Pontefract.

More About WWI

For anyone out there with an interest in WWI, especially as 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on November the 11th, I have two talks which may be of interest: 
'Armistice' - the factors both political and military leading up to its signing, and;
'Remembrance' - the instigation of war memorials and the bringing home of the Unknown Warrior after WWI. 

Both fully illustrated with many rare photographs.

I also have a video version of the Remembrance talk which includes a black and white film made at the time detailing the return of the Unknown Warrior. 

This takes slightly longer than the still image version and you should allow about one and a quarter hours for the entire presentation. 

Stay Safe On-Line

I've been having a second look at my talk on computer security, 'Stay Safe On-Line'.
I think the original is rather too technical, and covers topics of less interest to the average home user so I've re-configured the talk and presentation to make it more user friendly.
I'll keep the original for those who might find it more useful, let's see how it goes.