PRESENTATION SPEAKER: 2026

Friday, 6 February 2026

SOME STATISTICS

While my American Tour Group talk (see my previous post) is something of a one-off my schedule of talks to my more general clients, both old and new, comprises some 100 talks to 84 different groups in 2026.

I now have 18 different talks to offer my clients and much to my surprise the most popular talk is a tie between my two newest talks, A Tale of Two Houses and Four Famous Murders.

Hardwick Hall

The ever popular Gunpowder Plot, Highwaymen and Model Villages (probably my all-time 'best seller') take joint second place.

The History of the English Canals continues to be a popular choice alongside the newer talk, Around the World with Ten Famous Monuments and Buildings.

STATELY HOMES and AMERICANS

Much to my surprise I've been asked to again give a talk to the American tour group, see my post of 12th of June 2025.

This time, after my talk, they will be visiting Nostel Priory and the York Treasurer's House so I've put together an introductory talk for both venues.

Nostel Priory

It's a little shorter in time to my usual talks, about 35 rather than 50 minutes, but that seems to be more what they want.

It's unlikely to be of much use in future, unless I'm asked to repeat the talk for the same group, presumably next year. We shall see, but it's a pleasant challenge to talk English history to Americans.

My Current Programme

MY LATEST TALK - 4 Famous Murders - The story of four infamous crimes of the 20th century, the murderers, their trial and sentence and their victims.

Around the World with Ten Famous Monuments and Buildings - The stories and the people behind some world famous monuments and buildings such as the Eiffel Tower, The Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben.

Stand and Deliver - The Highwaymen, from Dick Turpin to Claude Duval, the story of those ‘Gentlemen of the roads’, and of that infamous highway woman, the 'wicked lady' herself Katherine Ferrers.

When the saints go marching in - The stories behind all those saints we know so well, Christopher, Nicholas and Valentine, as well as the patron saints of the four countries of the British Isles, and some you might not know!

Votes for Women - The story of the suffragettes and suffragists and their struggle for emancipation from 1865 to 1928 including a pen-picture of the principal protagonists.

Model Villages and the rise of the Philanthropic Movement - From Saltaire to Bournville, how and why the Industrial Model Village developed during the 19th century.

Crime & Punishment - From the Anglo Saxons onwards. - The development of the law under the Normans, the beginnings of the prison system and the eventual abolition of all other forms of punishment, including capital punishment, up to the present day.

The History of the English Canals - From their beginning in 1759, their construction and design, the post-war decline and the later restoration movement.

The Pontefract Murder - The story of Cardwell & Barrett and the murder which shocked a small town in 1918.

After You’re Dead - The history of grave robbing and dissection including the notorious Burke and Hare with some light-hearted asides.

Barnbow - The development of the Barnbow Munitions Works during WWI and the tragic accident there in 1916.

Remembrance - The establishment of War Memorials and the Unknown Warrior after WWI, which would include wherever possible the war memorial or memorials in the location of the talk.

Culloden - Bonnie Prince Charlie’s last battle, the last one fought on British soil, it's causes and aftermath.

Stay Safe On-Line - How to protect yourself from and recognise both computer and telephone scams. A non-technical guide to help recognise and avoid there pernicious tricks.

Armistice - The fascinating story of how the First World War came to an end in 1918

Wonderful Things - The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and a description of some of the treasures found there.

The Gunpowder Plot - Guy Fawkes and the plot to blow up Parliament on 5th November 1605. The people behind the plot, it's reasons, ultimate failure and what happened afterwards.

PRESENTATION SPEAKER

Friday, 6 February 2026

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