The Wigmore lectures programme

The Wigmore lectures are a varied and accessible range of talks presented by Medway Libraries which take place between October and January.

The lectures are returning for the 2025 to 2026 season.

Book a place

Booking for the Wigmore lectures will open on Monday 30 June.

More about the lectures

Philip Barham: The King's Mercenary - 15 October 2025

This talk is about the life and bloody times of Matthias Hawkeslade, Captain of Horse in the King's army during the English Civil War 1642 to 1651.

All talks are given in the character of Matthias Hakeslade, a mercenary who fought in the Thirty Years' War, and upon the outbreak of civil war in England, joined the forces of King Charles.

Talks are presented in full authentic battle gear.

Christoph Bull: Good, Bad or Ugly - 19 November 2025

This talk is about the secret history of public libraries and the zany things that went on in them.

A collection of tales that will interest and astonish what people might think about libraries - anything but quiet or sedate.

The talk covers Medway and many Kent towns.

Toni Mount: Christmas in the Middle-ages - 17 December 2025

Imagine Christmas without turkey, roast potatoes, crackers, cards and even Father Christmas. Come to that without electric light and central heating too - how did the people of medieval England celebrate Christmas? Was it a time of magic? Of feasting and gift-giving? Of entertainment, Christmas shows and pantomime?

Based on many years of studying the everyday lives of ordinary medieval people, this talk will help you discover that our forefathers were not much different from ourselves when it came to Christmas time.

Stuart Bligh: William Harrison - Clipper Ship Captain - 21 January 2026

This talk focuses on William Harrison who was born in a village in Kent in 1833, went to sea aged 17 and became a master mariner aged 27.

It covers the research done to uncover William’s incredible but tragic story including his early life, his family and his career and voyages at sea.

The talk highlights how anyone interested can unearth similar stories using archives and records including those available online.

Dave Burton: Louis Brennan - 18 February 2026

A look at the life and times of Gillingham based inventor Louis Brennan who during his lifetime created the world's first:

  • guided missile
  • self balancing monorail
  • helicopter to hover
  • stairlift
  • and much more.

Louis Brennan was a true genius and many years ahead of his time.

The talk is accompanied by a display of models and artifacts.

Jacqueline Aviolet: The History of the Victoria Sponge cake - 18 March 2026

This talk will look at the history of the Victoria sponge and facts about its ingredients.