What they didn't teach you in history at school: a thought
provoking and naughty view of the past! (Stuart Orme)
Did you know that the first electrical
appliance was not designed for use in the kitchen...? These and
other fascinating and facts are in a talk which is not recommended
for those who are easily shocked! A humorous look at some bits of
history that the Victorians wouldn't have approved of, as well as
destroying some myths about the past and posing some more thought
provoking questions about the way we look at history. Duration: 90
minutes (Illustrated)
Robin Hood: Myth or Reality? (Stuart Orme)
He's our most famous hero, yet did he even exist? If so, was he
from Yorkshire rather than from Nottingham? This entertaining talk
looks at the development of the Robin Hood stories from the
earliest ballads to modern film and TV adaptations, as well as the
historical evidence behind the legend to try and answer the
question: Robin Hood, myth or reality? Duration: 90 minutes
(Illustrated).
Jack the Ripper (Stuart Orme)
In the autumn of 1888 a number of prostitutes were murdered on
the streets of Whitechapel in London in a grisly fashion by an
unnamed killer who was never caught. Dubbed 'Jack the Ripper' by
the press, the killer has passed into legend, but what was the true
story behind the myth? Who were the Ripper's victims and why do we
remember these atrocities? Who was Jack the Ripper? These and other
questions will be answered as part of this talk, as well as a look
at the story of the possible victim from Peterborough. This talk is
not recommended for those of a nervous disposition. Duration: 90
minutes (Illustrated).
Towton 1461: An archaeological anatomy of Britain's bloodiest
battle (Stuart Orme)
Fought in a snowstorm on Palm Sunday 1461, the battle of Towton
is the largest and bloodiest in British history. What events led to
this enormous conflict, what happened during the battle? Using the
latest archaeological evidence, you'll hear what the experience was
like for the men who fought there - without the chivalry. You'll
also get to handle replica weapons and costume for this one!
Duration - 90 minutes (Illustrated).
Landships: The Tank in World War I (Stuart Orme)
Was the Tank the wonder weapon of World War I, a triumph of
ingenuity over desperation, or a propaganda tool? This talk looks
at the invention and development of the tank in World War I,
particularly from the British perspective, and asks what (if
anything) these lumbering behemoths achieved. The bizarre and
eclectic contraptions invented by many nations will also be
revealed... Duration - 90 minutes (Illustrated).
The Devil's Wind: The Indian Mutiny in 1857 (Stuart Orme)
One of the most horrific and bloody events in Indian and British
colonial history, the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58 horrified the
Victorians and has been remembered by some as the 'first war of
Indian Independence'. 150 years on, this talk tries to provide a
balanced view of the reasons for the Mutiny and what followed, and
of the bloody atrocities committed by both sides. Duration: 90
minutes (Illustrated).
Wellington's Secret Service (Stuart Orme)
Military intelligence is nothing new... find out about the
complex system of spies, code-breakers and partisans established by
the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic wars, how the Battle
of Waterloo should never have happened and hear about the true
stories of the men who made James Bond's exploits look tame - and
it all really happened 200 years ago! Duration - 90 minutes
(Illustrated).
Battlefield Ghosts (Stuart Orme)
As long as there have been battles there have been reports of
ghostly activity after - and even during - the action. This lively
talk considers some of these ghost stories from throughout history
and all over the world - from ghostly Roman soldiers to the famed
Angels of Mons, and asks if there are such things in heaven and
earth... Duration - 90 minutes (Illustrated).
A Hollywood History of Warfare (Stuart Orme)
A light-hearted look at war films - not just from World War II.
How much has Hollywood got right - and wrong - and does it matter
anyway?! Illustrated by clips from many and varied films, this will
take you from Alexander the Great to Jarhead - or ancient times to
the present! Duration - 90 minutes (or up to 2 hours!) TV, Video
& DVD required (Illustrated).
Many of Peterborough’s most popular cultural and sporting
facilities are part of Vivacity, an independent,
not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.
Find out more about
the trust on the Vivacity website.