talks programme
January - April 2022
Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the onset of the Omicron variant in particular, the possibility of more stringent social restrictions cannot be ruled out. If restrictions do become tougher, it may be necessary to revert again to Zoom meetings. Any such change, and any change arising from speaker unavailability will be published on this website. Frequent checks here are therefore advised.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 5 January
Mark Norman Beyond the Hound of the Baskervilles
This talk explores the folklore surrounding the phenomenon of sightings of phantom Black Dogs in the UK, their long history and folklore, and how they inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'.
Mark Norman is a folklore researcher and author based in Devon. His book "Black Dog Folklore" , which can be purchased from the Folklore Podcast website http://www.thefolklorepodcast.com/ . Details of the copy held by Devon Libraries are available at Devon Libraries - Black Dog Folklore . This book remains the only full length study on the subject by an individual author, and he holds the UKs largest archive of data on the subject. Mark is also the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, which is enjoyed around the world and has had approaching ¾ million downloads since its launch.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 12 January
Leigh Edwards The Human Microbiome
The Human microbiome is the ecological community of microorganisms that literally share our body space. Leigh Edwards will show the importance of this community for our survival and wellbeing and how we need a broad spectrum of Probiotic Bacteria in and on our bodies to promote good health and support our immune system.
Leigh has an Honours Degree in Chemistry from the Royal Institute of Chemistry. He spent over twenty four years as an Analytical Chemist and Laboratory Computer Scientist, mainly in pharmaceuticals. He then ran his own software company for ten years. During that time, he also wrote text books on computer programming. Throughout his working career, and ever
since, he has maintained an avid interest in a wide range of sciences including genetics, food and health, computers, and cosmology.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 19 January
John Allan The Building of Exeter Cathedral
Consultant Archaeologist John Allan will show how Exeter Cathedral developed and evolved from Norman to Tudor times, and how the understanding of its development through archaeological studies affects its conservation. John will look at the stones and stained glass, and the
importance of studying different periods of development and repair. The cathedral, and its documents, are still a great source for discovery, with always something new being unearthed and discovered.
John Allan is Consultant Archaeologist to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral, and Archaeological Adviser to Glastonbury Abbey. He is an Honorary University Fellow of the University of Exeter, and Past President of the Devonshire Association. He has given many presentations on the Cathedral, the archaeology of Exeter and related historic subjects.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 26 January
Hugh de Souza & Nigel Bovey The work of Exmouth National Coastwatch Institution
NCI Exmouth works with HM Coastguard and the RNLI, keeping watch over the estuary and the beach 365 days a year. This talk will focus on the role of the Exmouth Station of the National Coastwatch Institution and its day-to-day work, including stories of incidents it has been involved with. The talk will also cover some of the hazards around Exmouth and the estuary, and how people who get into difficulties can be helped. NCI Exmouth is one of 56 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout stations around the coasts of England and Wales.
Hugh de Souza is Deputy Station Manager, Exmouth Station of the National Coastwatch Institution ( www.exmouthcoastwatch.co.uk) . Their website is at www.nci.org.uk/.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 2 February
Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust (Professor David Radstone)
An Exeter Surgeon and his mummified mistress.
David’s talk is based on the life of an 18th Century surgeon in Exeter. He was simultaneously President of the Royal Academy and of the Royal College of Surgeons, and he kept the mummified body of his mistress in his bedroom.
David is very involved with the Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust, a charity which looks after historical medical items and he will be bringing items from their collection as examples of the medical items from the time. Information about the Trust and their events can be seen on their website at https://www.demht.org/ .
David studied law in England and France and became a solicitor, with the intention of pursuing law in the Common Market (as it was then). De Gaulle said “non” and England did not join then, so he changed to medicine. He trained in Clinical Oncology in London & Oxford, became a Professor in Sheffield and moved to Exeter just after the new Peninsula Medical School
started. He retired from clinical practice in Exeter in 2014 and became a Red Coat City Guide, a trustee of Exeter Historic Buildings Trust and the Devon & Exeter Medical Society, and lately Chair of Devon Museums Group.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 9 February
Lucy Mottram The challenge of waste and recycling in Devon
Lucy will look at what happens to Devon’s waste, and the challenges of disposal and recycling. The amount of waste produced by societies is a major problem and dealing with waste can be expensive. Lucy will look at the issues of landfill and various waste management initiatives including energy recovery plants, recycling, composting and measures to reduce production of
waste.
Lucy is Waste Management Officer (Education and Communities) for Devon County Council.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 16 February
Brian Banks The mystery of bog bodies and what we can learn from them
For centuries the peat bogs of Western Europe have been giving up their grisly secrets. Ancient - and not-so-ancient - bodies of men, women and children have been exposed to the light as people exploit the natural resources of Sphagnum bogland, and each one brings fresh mystery to the riddle of the bog bodies. Were they unfortunate souls who lost their footing in the wetlands of the
past, or ancient kings offered as sacrifices to appease the gods? Criminals condemned to be erased from society, or the victims of casual murder in a violent past?
Brian will look at where bog bodies are found, how they are preserved and what they can tell us about life in the past. Come and explore the world of the bog bodies together, as we discover that nothing about them is as simple as it first appears.
Award winning Lecturer Brian is City College Plymouth’s Access to Biology Lead. He is making a welcome return to Exeter Forum for another talk about aspects of our human history.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 23 February
Amyas Crump Odette - a love of the Blackdown Hills
Local historian and author Amyas Crump will talk about how Odette, a young mother of three from Devon became a WW2 SOE Agent in France being subsequently awarded George Cross.
Odette WW2 SOE Agent - a name that many will remember from the 1950 Herbert Wilcox film starring Anna Neagle, Trevor Howard and a young Peter Ustinov, or perhaps her biography that the film was based on. For Amyas, the biography was a chance find, its chapter relating something of her local connections prompting much further research, and following in her footsteps around the Westcountry, France and Italy, meeting with her family along the way.
Amyas, born on the Blackdown Hills, is perhaps better known through various talks, articles and books on railways. A couple of years ago he managed to get a new GWR train named in honour of Odette and her colleagues who failed to return.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 2 March
David Jenner Orchids of the UK – a photographic celebration
David Jenner will make a very welcome return to the Exeter Forum for another of his
wildlife talks beautifully illustrated by his own photography. David has photographed nearly all of the UK wild orchids and he will particularly focus on the common and rarer species found in Devon.
David is a local GP and has a passionate interest in biology and wildlife. He is an expert photographer, particularly in the use of close-ups.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 9 March
Kevin Cox Where have all the birds gone?
Kevin Cox is Chair of the RSPB Council, the governing body of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds , and he has been a trustee since 2011. He was actively involved in magazine publishing and was Chairman and Chief Executive of Origin Publishing, a company he founded in 1996 and subsequently sold to BBC Magazines. His interest in international conservation led to his involvement with the World Land Trust where he is a Council member and Chair of its trading
company. He is a former Chair of Devon Birds and a member of the BTO, WWT and Devon Wildlife Trust amongst other conservation organisations. He lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor where he and his wife manage 150 acres of woodland and meadows as a nature reserve.
Kevin’s talk will look at the decline of many of our bird species, especially local ones, but also further afield; and what we can do to help them recover.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 16 March
Dr Todd Gray Devon & African enslavement at the time of emancipation:
an impartial analysis of the evidence
In 1834 enslaved people across the British Empire were emancipated. The records of compensation paid to the estate owners reveal which Devonians were involved in slavery, and their analysis reveals surprising details about the nature of Devon at the time. This lecture avoids the assumptions commonly made about Devon by focusing on the historical evidence.
Dr Todd Gray is an Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter, and the author of a number of books on Exeter including his books on the Slave Trade available through stevensbooks.co.uk .
Todd is making a welcome return to the Exeter Forum.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 23 March
Mike Richards Humour in the Police Force
Mike Richards spent over 30 years policing in Devon and Cornwall and this light-hearted talk details some of his experiences as a teenage Cadet in Tiverton, through his training to be a Constable, and several events over the years that made him chuckle or otherwise had a lasting effect on him. There will be some black humour and the odd sanitised profanity or double entendre.
Mike is a former Police Chief Inspector who on retirement developed an interest in local history. He is both a Redcoat and Cathedral guide and assists in the training of trainee guides for both organisations. He lives in Exeter with his wife and has three children.
Mike previously spoke to the Exeter Forum on The History of Southernhay and more recently, just before Covid struck, A History of the Victoria Cross.
Mike is a member of Exeter Forum, and enjoys walking, golf, meeting people and learning new skills.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 30 March
Stephen Powles Otters – coming to a river near you
Stephen will follow up his wildlife photography talk with this celebration of the life of the Otter in Devon. His talk includes rare videos of otters on a tributary of the Exe and insights into the life of these wonderful but elusive animals.
Formerly a vet, Stephen changed career to pursue a lifelong passion for wildlife, wildlife photography, filming and conservation. Stephen’s material has made a number of TV appearances, featured in the national press and won major awards. His photography concentrates on interesting and challenging wildlife subjects, many of which are close to his home, and sometimes inside it.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 6 April
Keith Walton Exeter's Historic Churches and their Roles in Medieval Times
This talk will focus on the surviving 7 Medieval Churches in the centre of Exeter and their role in the development of religion in the City. Keith will look at the patterns of worship in historical times, the relationship with the Cathedral and the many roles Churches were expected to perform.
Keith Walton is Chair of the Parochial Church Council of the Central Parish of Exeter.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 13 April
Martin Young & Jonathan Smith Chernobyl and its effect on the local environment
Martin and Jonathan will talk about their visit to Chernobyl in Ukraine. This is the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, which occurred in 1986 leaving surrounding areas highly contaminated. The talk focuses on the circumstances that led to the explosion at the nuclear power plant and its impact on the local environment. Pictures will be shown of the surrounding exclusion zone, much of which is densely forested and includes the city of Pripyat, whose 50,000
inhabitants were evacuated days after the explosion. The city remains eerily deserted to this day; its infrastructure now totally overwhelmed by nature in what has effectively become the world’s greatest accidental rewilding project.
Martin Young is a retired senior meteorologist and Jonathan Smith is a former IT
specialist and research chemist.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 5 January
Mark Norman Beyond the Hound of the Baskervilles
This talk explores the folklore surrounding the phenomenon of sightings of phantom Black Dogs in the UK, their long history and folklore, and how they inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'.
Mark Norman is a folklore researcher and author based in Devon. His book "Black Dog Folklore" , which can be purchased from the Folklore Podcast website http://www.thefolklorepodcast.com/ . Details of the copy held by Devon Libraries are available at Devon Libraries - Black Dog Folklore . This book remains the only full length study on the subject by an individual author, and he holds the UKs largest archive of data on the subject. Mark is also the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, which is enjoyed around the world and has had approaching ¾ million downloads since its launch.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 12 January
Leigh Edwards The Human Microbiome
The Human microbiome is the ecological community of microorganisms that literally share our body space. Leigh Edwards will show the importance of this community for our survival and wellbeing and how we need a broad spectrum of Probiotic Bacteria in and on our bodies to promote good health and support our immune system.
Leigh has an Honours Degree in Chemistry from the Royal Institute of Chemistry. He spent over twenty four years as an Analytical Chemist and Laboratory Computer Scientist, mainly in pharmaceuticals. He then ran his own software company for ten years. During that time, he also wrote text books on computer programming. Throughout his working career, and ever
since, he has maintained an avid interest in a wide range of sciences including genetics, food and health, computers, and cosmology.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 19 January
John Allan The Building of Exeter Cathedral
Consultant Archaeologist John Allan will show how Exeter Cathedral developed and evolved from Norman to Tudor times, and how the understanding of its development through archaeological studies affects its conservation. John will look at the stones and stained glass, and the
importance of studying different periods of development and repair. The cathedral, and its documents, are still a great source for discovery, with always something new being unearthed and discovered.
John Allan is Consultant Archaeologist to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral, and Archaeological Adviser to Glastonbury Abbey. He is an Honorary University Fellow of the University of Exeter, and Past President of the Devonshire Association. He has given many presentations on the Cathedral, the archaeology of Exeter and related historic subjects.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 26 January
Hugh de Souza & Nigel Bovey The work of Exmouth National Coastwatch Institution
NCI Exmouth works with HM Coastguard and the RNLI, keeping watch over the estuary and the beach 365 days a year. This talk will focus on the role of the Exmouth Station of the National Coastwatch Institution and its day-to-day work, including stories of incidents it has been involved with. The talk will also cover some of the hazards around Exmouth and the estuary, and how people who get into difficulties can be helped. NCI Exmouth is one of 56 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout stations around the coasts of England and Wales.
Hugh de Souza is Deputy Station Manager, Exmouth Station of the National Coastwatch Institution ( www.exmouthcoastwatch.co.uk) . Their website is at www.nci.org.uk/.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 2 February
Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust (Professor David Radstone)
An Exeter Surgeon and his mummified mistress.
David’s talk is based on the life of an 18th Century surgeon in Exeter. He was simultaneously President of the Royal Academy and of the Royal College of Surgeons, and he kept the mummified body of his mistress in his bedroom.
David is very involved with the Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust, a charity which looks after historical medical items and he will be bringing items from their collection as examples of the medical items from the time. Information about the Trust and their events can be seen on their website at https://www.demht.org/ .
David studied law in England and France and became a solicitor, with the intention of pursuing law in the Common Market (as it was then). De Gaulle said “non” and England did not join then, so he changed to medicine. He trained in Clinical Oncology in London & Oxford, became a Professor in Sheffield and moved to Exeter just after the new Peninsula Medical School
started. He retired from clinical practice in Exeter in 2014 and became a Red Coat City Guide, a trustee of Exeter Historic Buildings Trust and the Devon & Exeter Medical Society, and lately Chair of Devon Museums Group.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 9 February
Lucy Mottram The challenge of waste and recycling in Devon
Lucy will look at what happens to Devon’s waste, and the challenges of disposal and recycling. The amount of waste produced by societies is a major problem and dealing with waste can be expensive. Lucy will look at the issues of landfill and various waste management initiatives including energy recovery plants, recycling, composting and measures to reduce production of
waste.
Lucy is Waste Management Officer (Education and Communities) for Devon County Council.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 16 February
Brian Banks The mystery of bog bodies and what we can learn from them
For centuries the peat bogs of Western Europe have been giving up their grisly secrets. Ancient - and not-so-ancient - bodies of men, women and children have been exposed to the light as people exploit the natural resources of Sphagnum bogland, and each one brings fresh mystery to the riddle of the bog bodies. Were they unfortunate souls who lost their footing in the wetlands of the
past, or ancient kings offered as sacrifices to appease the gods? Criminals condemned to be erased from society, or the victims of casual murder in a violent past?
Brian will look at where bog bodies are found, how they are preserved and what they can tell us about life in the past. Come and explore the world of the bog bodies together, as we discover that nothing about them is as simple as it first appears.
Award winning Lecturer Brian is City College Plymouth’s Access to Biology Lead. He is making a welcome return to Exeter Forum for another talk about aspects of our human history.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 23 February
Amyas Crump Odette - a love of the Blackdown Hills
Local historian and author Amyas Crump will talk about how Odette, a young mother of three from Devon became a WW2 SOE Agent in France being subsequently awarded George Cross.
Odette WW2 SOE Agent - a name that many will remember from the 1950 Herbert Wilcox film starring Anna Neagle, Trevor Howard and a young Peter Ustinov, or perhaps her biography that the film was based on. For Amyas, the biography was a chance find, its chapter relating something of her local connections prompting much further research, and following in her footsteps around the Westcountry, France and Italy, meeting with her family along the way.
Amyas, born on the Blackdown Hills, is perhaps better known through various talks, articles and books on railways. A couple of years ago he managed to get a new GWR train named in honour of Odette and her colleagues who failed to return.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 2 March
David Jenner Orchids of the UK – a photographic celebration
David Jenner will make a very welcome return to the Exeter Forum for another of his
wildlife talks beautifully illustrated by his own photography. David has photographed nearly all of the UK wild orchids and he will particularly focus on the common and rarer species found in Devon.
David is a local GP and has a passionate interest in biology and wildlife. He is an expert photographer, particularly in the use of close-ups.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 9 March
Kevin Cox Where have all the birds gone?
Kevin Cox is Chair of the RSPB Council, the governing body of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds , and he has been a trustee since 2011. He was actively involved in magazine publishing and was Chairman and Chief Executive of Origin Publishing, a company he founded in 1996 and subsequently sold to BBC Magazines. His interest in international conservation led to his involvement with the World Land Trust where he is a Council member and Chair of its trading
company. He is a former Chair of Devon Birds and a member of the BTO, WWT and Devon Wildlife Trust amongst other conservation organisations. He lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor where he and his wife manage 150 acres of woodland and meadows as a nature reserve.
Kevin’s talk will look at the decline of many of our bird species, especially local ones, but also further afield; and what we can do to help them recover.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 16 March
Dr Todd Gray Devon & African enslavement at the time of emancipation:
an impartial analysis of the evidence
In 1834 enslaved people across the British Empire were emancipated. The records of compensation paid to the estate owners reveal which Devonians were involved in slavery, and their analysis reveals surprising details about the nature of Devon at the time. This lecture avoids the assumptions commonly made about Devon by focusing on the historical evidence.
Dr Todd Gray is an Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter, and the author of a number of books on Exeter including his books on the Slave Trade available through stevensbooks.co.uk .
Todd is making a welcome return to the Exeter Forum.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 23 March
Mike Richards Humour in the Police Force
Mike Richards spent over 30 years policing in Devon and Cornwall and this light-hearted talk details some of his experiences as a teenage Cadet in Tiverton, through his training to be a Constable, and several events over the years that made him chuckle or otherwise had a lasting effect on him. There will be some black humour and the odd sanitised profanity or double entendre.
Mike is a former Police Chief Inspector who on retirement developed an interest in local history. He is both a Redcoat and Cathedral guide and assists in the training of trainee guides for both organisations. He lives in Exeter with his wife and has three children.
Mike previously spoke to the Exeter Forum on The History of Southernhay and more recently, just before Covid struck, A History of the Victoria Cross.
Mike is a member of Exeter Forum, and enjoys walking, golf, meeting people and learning new skills.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 30 March
Stephen Powles Otters – coming to a river near you
Stephen will follow up his wildlife photography talk with this celebration of the life of the Otter in Devon. His talk includes rare videos of otters on a tributary of the Exe and insights into the life of these wonderful but elusive animals.
Formerly a vet, Stephen changed career to pursue a lifelong passion for wildlife, wildlife photography, filming and conservation. Stephen’s material has made a number of TV appearances, featured in the national press and won major awards. His photography concentrates on interesting and challenging wildlife subjects, many of which are close to his home, and sometimes inside it.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 6 April
Keith Walton Exeter's Historic Churches and their Roles in Medieval Times
This talk will focus on the surviving 7 Medieval Churches in the centre of Exeter and their role in the development of religion in the City. Keith will look at the patterns of worship in historical times, the relationship with the Cathedral and the many roles Churches were expected to perform.
Keith Walton is Chair of the Parochial Church Council of the Central Parish of Exeter.
_______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 13 April
Martin Young & Jonathan Smith Chernobyl and its effect on the local environment
Martin and Jonathan will talk about their visit to Chernobyl in Ukraine. This is the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, which occurred in 1986 leaving surrounding areas highly contaminated. The talk focuses on the circumstances that led to the explosion at the nuclear power plant and its impact on the local environment. Pictures will be shown of the surrounding exclusion zone, much of which is densely forested and includes the city of Pripyat, whose 50,000
inhabitants were evacuated days after the explosion. The city remains eerily deserted to this day; its infrastructure now totally overwhelmed by nature in what has effectively become the world’s greatest accidental rewilding project.
Martin Young is a retired senior meteorologist and Jonathan Smith is a former IT
specialist and research chemist.
_______________________________________________________________________
