January - MAY 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 The Polish Air Force at Exeter Airport JERRY BIRD The Last Flight of “Horlick 37” – Remembrance and Commemoration.
Jerry is Safety Lead at Exeter Airport. He has a strong interest in local RAF and WW2 aviation history. In March 1943, a Polish 307 Squadron Mosquito crashed while attempting to land at RAF Exeter, resulting in the loss of the Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Jan Michałowski, and Radar Operator, Stanisław Szkop. Michałowski founded enduring close links between Exeter and the Polish airmen.
Please note change of Programme. Professor Sorrell's talk on The Phantom Train has been postponed until 15th April
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. Wednesday 1 April 2026 Easter break No Meeting
Wednesday 8 April 2026 Easter break No Meeting
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Postponed talk 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 the longest and probably the most eventful of all deportation journeys out of France during the Second World War.
Wednesday 22nd. April Lottie Dale Falling With Style Lottie returns: Her dad was a pilot in WW2 – and she acquired his love of flying. Unable to afford flying lessons she learned how to fall out of perfectly serviceable aircraft. After her first at 31 years old in the next 17 years, she completed more than 1200 skydives having been in Air Display Teams, taken part in British Record Jumps and competed at National Level.
Wednesday 29th. April Sally Smith The Women Who Went Round the World Sally will make a welcome return visit to follow up her talk on magnificent women in the air. This talk will look at the amazing journeys of women who circled the globe, by land, sea and air including the adventures they had and some of the trials they had to overcome. (this talk was postponed from 2025)
Wednesday 6th. May John Webber followed by AGM Exeter's forgotten Royal daughter- Henrietta Stuart (short talk) Henrietta Stuart was the youngest daughter of Charles 1. John will tell the story of her survival from her traumatic early years to life in the French Court of her cousin, Louis XIV, the Sun King where she married Philippe, Duke of Orleans.
The Exeter Forum AGM will follow this 25-minute talk. Annual general meeting 6th may 2026
Nominations for committee members can now be submitted in writing to the Secretary for consideration at The Exeter Forum AGM which is being held on the 6th. May 2026.
Wednesday 13th. May Angela White The History of Expatriate Women in Hong Kong. Former Hong Kong resident Angela makes a welcome return to the Exeter Forum to describe the lives and importance of the many women who shaped Hong Kong and its connections with China since Victorian times.
Wednesday 20th. May Brian Fernley The Schneider Trophy. Brian will describe the history, significance and importance of this interwar aviation trophy. It was awarded for the winner of a demanding seaplane race and took place 12 times from 1913 to 1931. It was intended to encourage innovation in aircraft design, particularly speed. The 1931 winning aircraft built by Supermarine led to the development of the Spitfire.
