Talks June - December 2026 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.
Wednesday 27 May Spring break No meeting
Wednesday 3 June
Change of Programme Robert Hesketh
Devon's Inns Robert delves into the story behind the names and background of Devon’s inns. Many of Devon's most historic buildings are inns – and many of them are also listed buildings with long and often varied histories.
Monday 8th June Coach Trip to Plymouth 1 hour boat trip included See Social Activities page for details
Wednesday 10 June Geoff Pettinger Shaldon’s hidden botanical garden. Geoff tells the story of how Maria Homeyard (who made a fortune from cough medicine) used her wealth to develop a new housing estate and a botanical garden on land above Shaldon in the 1930’s.
Wednesday 17 June John Davidson Lord Exmouth and the Barbary Pirates. For three centuries, the Barbary Pirates threatened South West England. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the British Government sent a fleet commanded by Lord Exmouth, Sir Edward Pellow, in 1816 to end the problem by diplomacy or force. This is the story of the Battle of Algiers and what happened afterwards.
Wednesday 24 June Professor Peter Aggett Is what we eat controlled at all? All living creatures have evolved to develop efficient means of acquiring adequate and safe nutrition. It is important to know and understand how these innate processes are affected by modern environmental conditions.
Wednesday 1 July Brian Fernley The Amazing Mr Cotton The story of Sidney Cotton is quite remarkable. He worked as a spy (with Ian Fleming) in WW2, and learnt to fly in WW1 hunting seals. After WW2 he took up gunrunning. He made and lost fortunes many times.
Wednesday 8 July Robert Hesketh Surnames in Devon and Beyond Robert will show that like place names, surnames are an integral part of our county’s and nation’s heritage.
Wednesday 15 July Dr. Robert Pew Not so silent Witness Robert, a General Practitioner, will recount his forensic experience working with the Police.
Wednesday 22nd. July Caroline Harlow “Reflections on my role as High Sheriff of Devon.” Caroline has just completed her Shrieval year and will explain its importance and significance. _________ Wednesday 29th.July Adrienne Hesketh "Scott Joplin’s Life and Music". Scott Joplin, composer and pianist, is probably best known for TheEntertainer, which featured in the 1970s film The Sting and MapleLeaf Rag. Adrienne will show the versatility and importance of the work from the man they called the King of Ragtime. ____________ Wednesday 5th. August Marcus Paul John Buchan Reconsidered. Marcus will discuss John Buchan, the subject of his recent well received book. John Buchan was an intellectual, politician and adventurer who during a varied career both in the UK and overseas also wrote over 100 books, including The Thirty-Nine Steps. ___________ Wednesday 12th. August Dr Peter Glanville My way to Mastermind Peter will describe the long journey to his recent appearance in the semi-final of this challenge. ______________ Wednesday 19th. August Summer break No Meeting _____________ Wednesday 26th. August Summer break No Meeting ______________ Wednesday 2nd. September Summer break No Meeting ________________ Wednesday 9th. September Lottie Dale “It did happen to a Vet Nurse.” Lottie will make a welcome return to provide more entertainment with further accounts of adventures from her lively life. _______________________ Wednesday 16th. September Susan Watts and Michael Hudd Maw Maw and More Maws. The remarkable story and family dynasty of the Maw companies — two significant Victorian enterprises that, over 161 years, produced tiles and ceramics, chemists' products, surgical instruments and the famous Maws baby feeding bottle. _______________________ Wednesday 23rd September Brian Fernley Exeter and The Battle of Britain Brian describes the effects of this epic event beyond London _______________________ Wednesday 30th September John Davidson The origins of Exeter's street names Exeter has many unusual street names, and their origins provide insights into the history, geography and politics of the city. This talk tells the story of some of these names, from the oldest recorded names to modern housing estates. _______________________ Wednesday 7th. October. Dr Robert Rew. Alaska and the Arctic. Robert describes his trips to Northwest America. _______________________ Wednesday 14th. October Vanessa Ascough. The life and adventures of Squadron Leader Archibald Stuart-MacLaren. Vanessa recounts the story of her remarkable grandfather, a pioneer aviator who led Britain's first effort to fly around the world. _______________________ Wednesday 21st. October. Ray Balkwill. The River's Voice. Ray, a renowned artist, describes his 40 years of work to capture the spirit of the River Exe. _______________________ Wednesday 28th. October. Marcus Paul. From Ireland to the Wild West. Marcus tells the true and moving story, based on their letters, of a couple who emigrated in the 1870s to the extreme frontier of Kansas, in the days of Wyatt Earp, cowboys and "Indians". Illustrated with unique photographs and maps and based on his book. _______________________ Wednesday 4th. November. To be confirmed. _______________________ Wednesday 11th. November. To be confirmed. _______________________
