12th July
No meeting in August
2026
2nd November 2026: DAVID LUSTED “HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS, ILLUSTRATED WITH FILM CLIPS”
David Lusted is a Film and Popular Culture Scholar, retired from lecturing in Film Studies at Southampton Solent University after working in Universities in London, Reading, Winchester and Warwick. Earlier he taught in Primary, Secondary and Adult Education before joining the British Film Institute as an Education Officer where he worked for 14 years. He has lectured in Several European Countries, New Zealand and twice toured Australia.
During David’s presentation, we will hear about Stars such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier and others from that era.
He will talk about films released by MGM Studios for example “On The Town” “Singing in the Rain” and “Easter Parade” Many films were taken from Stage Productions including “Mary Poppins” with Julie Andrews and “My Fair Lady” with Audrey Hepburn.
Much later, Rock n Roll and Teenage Culture Films filled the screens, with Musicals such as. “Grease” with Olivia Newton John and John Travolta. Later came “The Lion King “ “Frozen” and “A Star Is Born” THIS IS JUST A TRAILER……….
Monday 11th January 2027:
JACQUI FURNEAUX: “SEVEN YEARS FROM INDIA TO BRISTOL ON AN ENFIELD BULLET!”
Jacqui Furneaux is a Traveller, Motorcyclist, Writer and Speaker.
She has written 2 books which have both been published, “HIT THE ROAD JAC” and “ON THE ROAD AGAIN”. She has also written for many magazines and has been interviewed for podcasts and on radio stations.
In 1998 after bringing up a family and being a nurse and health visitor, Jacqui set out on a year’s journey for the first time ever on her own. She started backpacking in Thailand and explored many South-East Asian countries armed only with wide open eyes and a guide book. Six months into the trip and feeling quite the adventurous explorer, Jacqui went to Pakistan and India before returning to the UK. Jacqui loved travelling but her other passion was motorbikes. She had owned various Japanese motorbikes but had never had an Enfield!
Jacqui’s talk will reveal the story of her unexpected and unplanned lengthy journey through 20 countries with her trusty 500cc motorbike. It tells the reasons for her epic trip and how a 6 month holiday became a 7 year way of life in Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Hear how a 50 year old nurse becomes a mechanic and adapts to life on dusty roads and goat tracks from the mountains to the sea, from barren deserts to lush jungles.
Jacqui’s talk will not only appeal to motorcyclists and travellers but to anyone who could do with a bit of inspiration to follow a dream.
FEBRUARY
Monday 8th February 2027
Brian Greenan: “FRANK SINATRA AND THE MAFIA”
Brian Greenan talked to us last year about the Brink's Mat Gold Bullion Robbery
He is an accomplished Speaker, Compere, Presenter, Facilitator, Auctioneer, Conference Host and Event Manager. He works for many of the UK’s highest profile Charities and prestigious Corporate National organisations.
Brian’s first career was as a Scotland Yard Detective with the Criminal Intelligence Branch as an Intelligence Officer and an expert in Covert Surveillance. He was involved in the investigations of many famous cases against major organised crime figures and international criminal cartels.
Brian’s talk will take us back to the 1920’s when the Mafia took control of crime across the US and part of their Business Plan was to use “Stars” to draw high rollers into their Casinos.
So, was Frank Sinatra a member of the Mafia??
MARCH
Monday 1st March
ANDY SMITH: “LOVE AND LAUGHTER”
Andy is a performance poet, entertainer, author, and former business communicator who has two artificial limbs, a wonderful wife, three fine children and a whippet. (And two feisty chickens until Basil Brush made their acquaintance).
He drives, walks, talks and engages live or digital audiences with stimulating poetry and related commentary…interspersed with humour, thought-provoking insights and the occasional smattering of history.
Andy also presents the lighter side of disability whilst motivating audiences of all ages and abilities to make the most of what they’ve got.
Come and peep into the pleasures and pitfalls of Andy’s transition from emotional hooligan to contented spouse in this poetic presentation that meanders through the mysteries of human relationship, and administers a healing dose of humour on the journey.
5th April: A.G.M. followed by our speaker, Tony Eaton
MAY
MONDAY 10th MAY 2027:
PAUL BARWICK “Gareth Williams and the Mystery of the Body in the Bag”
Paul Barwick spent a career in the Police Service (34yrs) with many roles and responsibilities. He retired from a national role in Counter Terrorism and National Security in 2019. He began his public speaking role on the subject of real life international espionage and has grown a wide audience of social groups, national associations and interested parties. These include U3A’s, Probus Associations and many other independent learning and social groups.
Paul’s talk will begin in 2010 when MI6 spy Gareth William’s body was found naked in his Pimlico flat. He was locked inside a North Face sports bag placed inside his bath. This real life espionage intrigue exploded onto our television screens as sensational details were provided about Gareth’s life and death. Police could find no DNA or fingerprints anywhere in the vicinity. The front door was locked, from the inside!
Who would want to kill this mild mannered math genius?
This presentation delves beneath the sensational media headlines, into Gareth’s murky world of espionage. We trace Gareth’s life from a young boy with enormous mental capacity to the man who may have known too much.
Paul will confront the various possibilities as to his demise and who may be responsible for this grisly death.
MONDAY 7TH JUNE 2027
STEVE DIMMER: “THE REDOUTABLE MISS ROUTLEDGE”
You may remember Steve Dimmer who gave his talk in April 2026 about The Life and Crimes of Agatha Christie.
Steve has been an established storyteller and entertainer for 30 years. He is also an established playwright.
He is back to give his talk about “The Redoubtable Miss Routledge”
Steve’s talk will be an hour long PowerPoint presentation celebrating the remarkable life of one of Britain’s best loved actresses, DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE. Through numerous clips and photos we will witness the amazing talent of this wonderful lady, illustrating her versatility, her gift for comedy and her considerable musical ability.
Hetty Wainthropp is here, Alan Bennett is here, Beatrix Potter is here and how could any assessment of DAME PATRICIA’S career be complete without seeing her in full throttle as the snobbish HYACINTH BUCKET (pronounced BOUQUET!)?
Monday 12th July t.b.c
Monday 6th September t.b.c
Monday 4th October (in Stage 2) t.b.c.
Monday 1st November t.b.c.
Linda Sage: Life Behind Bars
Linda Sage is a renowned Criminal Psychologist, Writer, Radio Host and Speaker.
Linda spent 40 years working in England’s top category prisons with the UK’s most violent criminals, including the Krays, Myra Hindley and Peter Sutcliffe. She has conducted extensive interviews and assessments of offenders in an attempt to uncover what motivates their behaviour and her insights have aided law enforcement and legal terms.
Linda is regularly asked to sense-check gritty TV dramas, having been so close to perpetrators and spends time campaigning against domestic abuse and stalking.
She has worked closely with many UK serial killers. She will share shocking insider knowledge on how they spend their time behind bars and how they view their crimes. Linda is passionate about educating people on the workings of criminal minds.
Linda’s talks not only captivate and shock audiences but leave them with a deeper understanding of the workings of criminal minds.