Dr W G Grace, the Great Cricketer – There can be few people, even if they know nothing of cricket, who have not heard of W G Grace. He was simply the greatest cricketer of his day, who almost single-handedly created the modern game and was also the first sporting “superstar”. This talk will cover the life of this great man from his birth in Downend, Bristol, his remarkable cricket career for Gloucestershire and England, and his move to South London where he died 100 years ago.
Dylan Thomas (Welsh Poet) – Born in Swansea, Dylan Thomas is a controversial figure with notable failings but his poetry, prose and and radio work is exceptional. This talk tells the story of his life interspersed with quotes from his work including his masterpiece. Under Milk Wood..
Inigo Jones – Inigo Jones was the son of a London cloth-worker. Yet, he rose from being a humble apprentice to become a favourite of the Royal Court of the Stuart Kings. This illustrated talk traces the life of Inigo Jones and looks at his many achievements in theatre set-design and building works that won him acclaim as the first English architect.
Sir Christopher Wren – Sir Christopher Wren is one of the most acclaimed English architects in history credited with rebuilding much of London after the Great Fire but he was also an astronomer, scientist and mathematician. This talk traces Wren’s life and his many achievements.
