TALKS PROGRAMME
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019
6th November Rachel Trethewey Before Wallis - Edward VIII's Other Women
Devon author, Rachel Trethewey will be talking about her latest book "Before Wallis", which tells the story of the other women in Edward VIII’s life before he met Mrs Simpson. Recreating the decadent atmosphere of the interwar years, the book follows the future king’s relationships with Rosemary Leveson-Gower, Freda Dudley Ward and Thelma Furness.
Rachel Trethewey was born and educated in Torquay. After leaving Torquay Girls’ Grammar school she read History at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. While at university she won the Philip Geddes Prize for student journalism. Her subsequent journalistic career involved working on the women’s pages of the Daily Mail and Daily Express. When she returned to Devon she became education correspondent on Westcountry Television. After marrying and starting a family she went to Exeter University where she completed an MA in Victorian Studies and a PhD in English. Before Wallis is her third book, she has also written "Mistress of the Arts" and "Pearls Before Poppies".
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13th November General Assembly Members Only
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20th November Todd Gray Mob and Street Violence in Exeter
People may think of Exeter as a quiet country town – but centuries ago the city was known for its disorderly and violent mobs with a reputation as ruffians who would impose their own brand of rough justice in public
In 1853 the vicar of St Sidwell claimed, from his pulpit, that ‘Exeter is given over to the tyranny of a mob’. The evidence suggests Exonians were more likely to join in mobs than residents of other towns and cities, and Todd will show examples of mobs and their causes.
Dr. Todd Gray is an Honorary Research Fellow in the History Department of the University of Exeter, his main research interests being principally focused on Devon, particularly Exeter, but he has pursued a wide range of topics which help to determine some of the ways in which Devon was both alike and dissimilar to other parts of the country. His research has resulted in the publication of over 40 books, some of which will be available for purchase at the meeting.
Todd's talk will be based on the research for his book Not One of Us: Individuals set apart by choice, circumstances, crowds or the mob in Exeter, 1451–1952 , published by Exeter Local History Society and The Mint Press, ISBN 978-1-903356-72-2.
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27th November John Jameson A Cornish Hairdresser Goes to War
John's maternal grandfather followed several uncles and his grandfather in the barbering and hairdressing trade. Although from St Agnes, Cornwall, he served a four year apprenticeship in Plymouth before qualifying as a hairdresser and perfumier. He was conscripted into the Army during the First World War and his service was recorded through the large number of postcards sent to John's grandmother, who fortunately retained them. John's talk will be based on this record, a very personal account of the experiences and effects of war.
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4th December Mike Richards The Victoria Cross (and Local Connections)
Mike will explain how he became interested in the history of the Victoria Cross, highlights some local, national and international recipients, brings us right up to date and then poses a conundrum which might stimulate debate !
Mike is a former Detective Chief Inspector who, on retirement developed an interest in local history. He is a former chair of the Exeter Redcoat Guides, a guide at Exeter Cathedral and now helps to train new recruits within both organisations.
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11th December Members A Seasonal Anthology of Words and Music
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18th December No Meeting
25th December No Meeting
Devon author, Rachel Trethewey will be talking about her latest book "Before Wallis", which tells the story of the other women in Edward VIII’s life before he met Mrs Simpson. Recreating the decadent atmosphere of the interwar years, the book follows the future king’s relationships with Rosemary Leveson-Gower, Freda Dudley Ward and Thelma Furness.
Rachel Trethewey was born and educated in Torquay. After leaving Torquay Girls’ Grammar school she read History at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. While at university she won the Philip Geddes Prize for student journalism. Her subsequent journalistic career involved working on the women’s pages of the Daily Mail and Daily Express. When she returned to Devon she became education correspondent on Westcountry Television. After marrying and starting a family she went to Exeter University where she completed an MA in Victorian Studies and a PhD in English. Before Wallis is her third book, she has also written "Mistress of the Arts" and "Pearls Before Poppies".
_______________________________________________________________________
13th November General Assembly Members Only
_______________________________________________________________________
20th November Todd Gray Mob and Street Violence in Exeter
People may think of Exeter as a quiet country town – but centuries ago the city was known for its disorderly and violent mobs with a reputation as ruffians who would impose their own brand of rough justice in public
In 1853 the vicar of St Sidwell claimed, from his pulpit, that ‘Exeter is given over to the tyranny of a mob’. The evidence suggests Exonians were more likely to join in mobs than residents of other towns and cities, and Todd will show examples of mobs and their causes.
Dr. Todd Gray is an Honorary Research Fellow in the History Department of the University of Exeter, his main research interests being principally focused on Devon, particularly Exeter, but he has pursued a wide range of topics which help to determine some of the ways in which Devon was both alike and dissimilar to other parts of the country. His research has resulted in the publication of over 40 books, some of which will be available for purchase at the meeting.
Todd's talk will be based on the research for his book Not One of Us: Individuals set apart by choice, circumstances, crowds or the mob in Exeter, 1451–1952 , published by Exeter Local History Society and The Mint Press, ISBN 978-1-903356-72-2.
_______________________________________________________________________
27th November John Jameson A Cornish Hairdresser Goes to War
John's maternal grandfather followed several uncles and his grandfather in the barbering and hairdressing trade. Although from St Agnes, Cornwall, he served a four year apprenticeship in Plymouth before qualifying as a hairdresser and perfumier. He was conscripted into the Army during the First World War and his service was recorded through the large number of postcards sent to John's grandmother, who fortunately retained them. John's talk will be based on this record, a very personal account of the experiences and effects of war.
_______________________________________________________________________
4th December Mike Richards The Victoria Cross (and Local Connections)
Mike will explain how he became interested in the history of the Victoria Cross, highlights some local, national and international recipients, brings us right up to date and then poses a conundrum which might stimulate debate !
Mike is a former Detective Chief Inspector who, on retirement developed an interest in local history. He is a former chair of the Exeter Redcoat Guides, a guide at Exeter Cathedral and now helps to train new recruits within both organisations.
_______________________________________________________________________
11th December Members A Seasonal Anthology of Words and Music
_______________________________________________________________________
18th December No Meeting
25th December No Meeting
