January - April 2026 7th January 2026 Dr. Todd Gray 'Devon's Home Front Diaries, 1937 to 1945.' We welcome back Todd Gray who will talk about the experiences of people during their everyday lives in Devon in the build up to the Second World War and through the war itself as shown through their diaries.
Wednesday 14 January Dr David Jenner Antarctic landscapes and wildlife David Jenner makes a welcome return to the Exeter Forum for another talk featuring his wonderful photography. David has recently visited Antarctica, and he will show aspects of the fantastic wildlife in this talk.
Wednesday 21 January Stuart Raine The sinking of the Lusitania and its aftermath Stuart will look at the tragedy of the Lusitania and the controversy surrounding its loss in World War 1. He will also reveal the links between this event and changing attitudes towards the war in Europe in the United States.
Wednesday 28 January Annual Christmas Lunch Christmas Lunch – no speaker. the Devon Hotel [email protected] Time is 12pm for 12.30pm.
Wednesday 4 February David Westcott Richard III and the Princes in the Tower David’s talk will investigate the reign of one of England’s most controversial Kings, Richard III, who visited Exeter 2 years before he was killed in battle. He will look at the various stories surrounding the fate of the Princes in the Tower during Richard III’s reign.
Wednesday 11th February John Dean Scars that Shine The Madonnas of Pervyse, Mairi Chisholm and Elsie Knocker - WWI Women Heroes. Exeter born Elsie Knocker and her Scottish colleague Mairi Chisholm were called the Madonnas of Pervyse in recognition of their front line care of casualties and innovations in the Belgian trenches of WW1.They received national honours.
Wednesday 18 February Caroline Stephens General Health, Feel energised & fabulous everyday! Caroline’s talk will describe what being healthy means and how we can both maintain our general health and improve our energy levels and feelings of wellbeing.
Wednesday 25 February Dame Julia Slingo My role at the Met Office. Dame Julia Slingo served as Chief Scientist at the Met Office for nearly 8 years. She was made a Dame in the 2014 New Year Honours for her services to weather and climate science. Before joining the Met Office she was the Director of Climate Research at the University of Reading.
Wednesday 4 March 2026 John Davidson Jack Rattenbury: Fisherman, Privateer, Pilot, Free Trader; Rob Roy of the West. Jack Rattenbury lived in Beer, Devon. During his lifetime he had an honest trade as a pilot and fishermen, was recruited into the Royal Navy on various occasions, and was actively involved in smuggling. This talk will look at his exciting career, both legitimate and on the wrong side of the law.
Wednesday 11 March 2026 Tom Acres A Legacy of Care: Why Step One Still Matters Today This talk explores Step One’s long-standing legacy of support and shines a light on each of our services, what they do, and the difference they make. It will highlight the growing needs within our communities and explain why Step One continues to play a vital role in supporting people at every stage of their journey.
Wednesday 18 March 2026 Professor Martin Sorrell The Phantom Train Professor Sorrell will describe antifascist Francesco Fausto Nitti’s two-month journey on a deportation train from the South West of France to Dachau. Initially planned to last three days this was longest and probably the most eventful of all deportation journeys out of France during the Second World War.
Wednesday 25 March 2026 Emma Laws Treasures of Exeter Cathedral. Exeter Cathedral Librarian Emma is returning to tell us about some of the wonderful treasures in the Cathedral’s historic collection.
