MAY 5^th           BANK HOLIDAY

MAY 12^th     A TALE OF THREE SCHOOLS: Preserving Tavistock’s Educational Heritage.               By Dr Will Hay

WILL HAY:  Dr Will Hay, PhD is a former Lecturer at the University of Plymouth, where he taught Social Work students and specialised in Criminal Justice. He is a member of the LifeStories Project steering group, and has a particular interest in oral history and preserving the memories of Tavistock's residents

TALK: The 'A Tale of Three Schools' project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is part of the Life Stories Project based at TASS (Tavistock Area Support Services). It delves into the experiences of ex-students during the 1920s to 1960s, from three schools in Tavistock, namely Dolvin Road Secondary Modern, the Grammar School and the later Comprehensive. We’ve been exploring the students’ school memories and the impact of their schooling on their lives that followed, with volunteers undertaking interviews in person and at a distance by phone. The interviews have produced a wealth of information. Dr Will Hay will share with you the results of this interesting project, giving a fascinating insight in to school experiences during this period. 

MAY 19^th        MORE STORIES OF THE PINWILL SISTERS     By Helen Wilson                                                                   

HELEN WILSON: Helen was born and brought up in Plymouth, Devon, and studied for a BSc and PhD in Environmental Science as a mature student at the University of Plymouth, teaching there for a number of years. Since retiring, she has developed interests in local history, architecture and churches. Her main project over the last decade has been studying the life and work of the Pinwill sisters, ecclesiastical woodcarvers. This research led to numerous speaking engagements across Devon and Cornwall and in 2021 developed into the production of a book entitled ‘The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters’.

TALK: In 1890 the Pinwill sisters established an ecclesiastical woodcarving company in Ermington and then Plymouth that became one of the best in Devon and Cornwall. After many years researching the Pinwill sisters, Helen Wilson has met or corresponded with numerous people who had associations with them, including descendants of employees and people who had business dealings with them. Some of these had remarkable stories to tell that often led to new discoveries and revelations. After an introduction to the Pinwills, Helen will relate some of these wonderful stories that enhance the talk she presented in 2024.

MAY 26^th      BANK HOLIDAY

JUN 2^nd        A CULTURE OF CARE       By Laura Quigley

LAURA QUIGLEY:  Laura Quigley is a voluntary Carer Ambassador with Devon Carers, with 20 years experience of caring in Devon for dementia, end of life, autism and mental health. Since 2019, she has been trying to be part of the solution, helping advise local NHS services and other organisations to improve support for those seeking help with their caring role. She is an unpaid carer.                        

TALK:  Caring and social care systems continue to make headlines as we struggle to care for the most vulnerable in our society. As we attempt to find solutions, this talk will discuss the context, issues and some of the options, and consider how we can better support carers as well as the cared-for.  Information about services from Devon Carers will be available for those seeking support, but please note, there is no guarantee that individual cases will be discussed. 

JUN 9^th     GALILEO and THE ROMAN INQUISITION              By Jan Diamond

JAN DIAMOND: Travel has always been a big part of Jan’s life. She has lived in Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Egypt. Travel has fostered a fascination with the world at large, and a love of learning about new lands, their peoples and cultures.  Her love of art and history caused Jan to fall in love with Italy, the Italian Renaissance and the wider Mediterranean. She is now teaching, training and coaching, and has been a speaker for the last 10 years.

TALK: Galileo Galilei – or simply ‘Galileo’ – the ‘Father of Observational Astronomy’, of ‘Modern Physics’, of the ‘Scientific Method’ – and the ‘Father of Modern Science’. 

Galileo developed the telescope for scientific observations of celestial objects, thus confirming the phases of Venus and observing the four largest satellites of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, the moon, sunspots, and more. Galileo was part of the European intellectual movement in which beliefs concerning God, the Church, Humanity and nature were being questioned as never before, and which initiated revolutionary ideas about faith, philosophy and science – and the world’s very place in our universe!                                                                                                                                              The Medici – Godfathers of the Italian Renaissance: For over 200 years, this ambitious Florentine family, were Patrons of the arts, did science and were scholars of genius. As Renaissance men they changed the western world, creating the greatest works of the Italian Renaissance and left an extraordinary legacy in their wake. As Galileo’s reputation spread through Italy and Europe and as three generations of Medici Dukes inherited positions of extraordinary power, all were eager to share in his celebrity status. They therefore appointed him as mentor of the young Medici Princes and Galileo gave them the gift of education – a gift they would never forget!                                                                                                             The Roman Inquisition: Galileo, even with the mighty Medici behind him, was to find himself commanded to appear before the most terrifying authority of the age – L’inquizione – the Roman Inquisition.  Imprisoned, his books banished, facing torture, Galileo was left literally fighting for his life! And on his death the church decreed there would be no public mourning for him! How could this happen to this man who modern science venerates?  This story tells of the rise and fall of one of the greatest names in the world of modern science.

JUN16^th       THE POWER OF THREE – THE STORY OF THOMAS FOWLER                          By Pamela Vass

PAMELA VASS: I am an author offering talks on the West Country stories that have inspired my writing, many where fact has definitely been stranger than fiction! My audiences include historical and scientific societies, literary festivals, Women’s Institutes, U3A’s, libraries, church and social groups, museums and Rotary.

TALK: One of the original pioneers of the computer was born over 200 years ago in Great Torrington, Devon. His name was Thomas Fowler. This talk reveals the pride and passion of a charismatic self-taught inventor who was determined to succeed despite his humble origins and unorthodox path to mathematical brilliance. It is a story of stunning resilience and ingenuity in the face of professional prejudice, betrayal and heart-breaking twists of fate. It is a story of an invention destined to re-write the history of computing.

JUN 23^rd        JOHN FOULSTON – 19^th Centuary Architect                                              By Ursula Myers and David Pearce

URSULA MYERS: Retired University Lecturer, NT Volunteer Researcher and Tour Guide and Local Historian

DAVID PEARCE: Architectural Historian

TALK: John Foulston was a London based Architect who in 1810 won a competition to design a new theatre and hotel complex in Plymouth. He subsequently settled in the area, designing many more buildings for Plymouth and other west country towns, including a number of buildings in Tavistock  which will be the main focus of this talk.

JUN 30^th       FORGOTTEN NO MORE: The Unyielding voice of EMILY HOBHOUSE

SPEAKER:  A Volunteer from The Emily Hobhouse Museum.

TALK: Emily Hobhouse was born in the village of St Ive, Cornwall, in 1860. Though little known in Britain today, she played a significant role during the Second Anglo-Boer War, particularly through her work exposing the conditions of British-run concentration camps in South Africa.

This talk traces Emily’s life from her early years in the Victorian Rectory she called home, through to her involvement in the South African Conciliation Committee and the South African Women and Children Distress Fund. It explores her journey to South Africa in 1900, her detailed observations and reports on the camps, and the public and political response her advocacy provoked.

Emily’s work extended beyond the war — she returned to South Africa to lead social upliftment initiatives and remained committed to humanitarian causes throughout her life. Drawing from archival material, quotes, and the immersive storytelling approach developed for The Story of Emily, this talk offers an informative look at Emily Hobhouse’s values, her work, and her legacy.

JUL 7^th  THE ICELANDIC “COD WARS” – 1958-1978    By Dr Peter Brinsden           

DR PETER BRINSDEN: Peter is a retired Consultant Gynaecologist and Specialist in Reproductive Medicine. He served in the Royal Navy as an Obstetrician/Gynaecological surgeon for 20 years, retiring from the Navy in 1982 in the rank of Surgeon Commander. He then specialised in reproductive medicine (IVF and related treatments), finally becoming Medical Director of Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, the World’s first IVF (Test-tube baby) Clinic, founded by the pioneers Robert Edwards (Nobel Laureat) and Patrick Steptoe, who together created Louise Brown, the first IVF baby.

TALK:  Between 1958 and 1976, Britain went to ‘war’ with Iceland – these were, in fact, more like ‘confrontations’ which at times became quite physical, with ships ramming each other and trawl lines being cut. The issue was the excessive fishing of cod by the British and other EU countries in Icelandic waters. The lead up to these ‘wars’, the confrontations, the political background and the role of the Royal Navy in protecting British fishing vessels are described in this talk.

JUL 14^th   IT’S A ROLL OVER!  TAVISTOCK ABBEY and LORD JOHN RUSSELL

By Simon Thompson

SIMON THOMPSON  Simon Thompson was a professional archaeologist working for 20 years at the Museum of London, before moving with his family to Tavistock. Here, as a volunteer with Tavistock Forward, he helped bring about the digitization of the 1752 Wynne map – now freely available online at the National Library of Scotland.  He is currently involved with the TASS Lifestories project as well as Tavistock Heritage Trust’s ‘Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey’ project.

TALK: John Russell, founder of the Bedford dynasty, had a remarkable career - serving four Tudor monarchs, but somehow managing to keep his head! Along the way he was gifted the 558-year-old Tavistock Abbey four months after its dissolution: it was to remain a family asset for the following 372 years. This talk will focus on Russell’s life and achievements, but will also touch on hopes for the abbey's future.

JUL 21^st     A CELEBRATION OF DEVON WILDLIFE        By Gavin Haig

GAVIN HAIG:   Practised as a surgeon and doctor with a passion for attracting wildlife into our gardens. Developed award-winning Wildlife Garden at Tiverton Hospital.

TALK: Reminds us that we are privileged to be surrounded by a whole host of glorious plants, and creatures. The illustrated talk emphasises the beauty and fascination of wildlife, and how to admire, encourage, and provide food and nesting sites for birds, butterflies, and small mammals.

When I lived at Spillifords, on the banks of the river Exe, I opened the wildlife garden to the public ,via the National Gardens Scheme. We had an astonishing variety of wild creatures, and dozens of wild plants and herbs. This all combined perfectly with my profession, of being a Surgeon, and busy Doctor…coming home to a sanctuary of trees, small mammals, butterflies, and birds, lifted my tired spirits, and restored my well-being.On the strength of this, I developed a wildlife garden at Tiverton District Hospital, for patients and staff, and Lo and Behold it won a NATIONAL COMPETITION in 2018.  

JUL 28^th     V E DAY  -  8^th MAY                                         By Baz Hamblyn

BAZ HAMBLYN: After 25 years flying in the RAF as a navigator, Barry ran a training company for airline pilots for the next 25 years after doing a favour for a friend.

His wife had a lavender business, growing 15 varieties of lavender and producing a range of lavender products (he was the tractor driver).The shop was too large for sole use so Barry closed his training company and indulged his passion for selling antiques. He is now a trustee of our small but beautiful local museum

TALK:  VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY – the day the Nazi military surrendered to the allies: the British Empire, The United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Free French Army. It happened on the 8^th May 1945. We had pushed the Nazis out of North Africa and what remained of the Nazi Afrika Korps surrendered in Tunisia on 13^th  May 1943. The allies landed in Sicily on 10^th July 1943 and slowly pushed North through Italy. The D-Day landings in Normandy started on 6^th June 1944 and eleven months later the Germans surrendered. VE-Day was declared a public holiday to celebrate the end of the second world war and, oh boy, was it celebrated. Britain had been at war with the Axis powers, Germany and Italy, for almost six years but now it was over.