The Wigmore lectures programme
The Wigmore lectures are returning to the refurbished Wigmore Community Hub. The 2021 to 2022 season promises an entertaining mix of:
- history
- reminiscences
- music
- folklore.
We look forward to seeing old faces and meeting new ones. Click the names of the lectures below to find out more:
- The Wreck: SS Richard Montgomery - Colin Harvey
- A local newspaperman - Bob Ogley
- Kent Yuletide traditions - Suzanne Corbie
- The golden age of comedy songs - Janet Ayers and Matt Parsons
- The story of English freedom - Andy Thomas
- Reminiscences of an immigrant: my life in Soviet Russia, 1970 to 1990 - Irina Fridman.
The Wreck: SS Richard Montgomery
by Colin Harvey
Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 8pm
World War 2 wartime wreck, the SS Richard Montgomery, lies sunk 200 yards off a busy shipping lane off the northern coast of the Isle of Sheppey.
This wreck still has more than 1,400 tons of bombs and munitions aboard.
The talk features 3 films, shown together, about the tragic demise of the vessel and the reaction to the accident.
A local newspaperman
by Bob Ogley
Wednesday 17 November 2021 at 8pm
The story of a young journalist who joined a local newspaper at the age of 16 and is still writing stories every week at the age of 82.
His adventures have been many and varied, his mistakes costly, his colleagues colourful and his career full of humorous incidents.
Bob Ogley has written 22 books, mainly on themes related to the history of Kent.
Kent Yuletide traditions
by Suzanne Corbie
Wednesday 15 December 2021 at 8pm
Capture the mood of a traditional Kentish Christmas with this festive talk by Suzanne Corbie on the old Yuletide traditions that continue to thrive in Kent. She will be looking at:
- when they originated
- what they meant
- how they have evolved.
Suzanne will be looking at how Kent folk used to make merry over the Yuletide season and explore:
- hoodening
- wassailing
- morris dancing
- mumming plays
- plant lore
- superstitions
- folklore.
The golden age of comedy songs
by Janet Ayers and Matt Parsons
Wednesday 19 January 2022 at 8pm
Following their much-enjoyed music hall performance, Janet Ayers and Matt Parsons return to Wigmore Library, and this time it’s all about comedy songs from the 1920s and 1930s.
They will be asking and answering questions such as:
- how did songs about birds, bears and bananas become so popular?
- who were the stars and songwriters that made it all happen?
- what do these songs mean to us today, over 100 years later?
Be prepared to be amazed, educated and entertained.
The story of English freedom
by Andy Thomas
Wednesday 16 February 2022 at 8pm
From the rebellions of Boudicca against Roman invaders to the peasants’ revolt and the modern poll tax riots.
From the revolutionary ideas of Cromwellian times to influential movers and shakers such as:
- Thomas Paine
- the Suffragettes
- George Orwell.
Freedom has always been a key issue in English history. Andy shines a captivating light on some of the most significant leaps and shows how they still resonate today. (Rescheduled from March 2020.)
Reminiscences of an immigrant: my life in Soviet Russia, 1970 to 1990
by Irina Fridman
Wednesday 16 March 2022 at 8pm
Irina Fridman, now living in the Medway towns grew up in the USSR.
In this fascinating talk she describes what life was like for a young girl in Soviet Russia.
Booking and event information
Tickets cost £4.50 each or £22 for a seat at all 6 lectures. Payment is required at the time of booking.
Bookings can be made by:
- phoning 01634 337 799
- visiting any Medway community hub or library.
You will get a booking reference, not a paper ticket. You will need to show your booking reference at the lecture entrance.
Please bring your own cup for refreshments (drinks only) that will be available during the evening.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information
Face masks are not essential at this event but would be preferred.
You must not attend if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Thank you in advance for being considerate.