This talk describes the life of George Blake, possibly the Soviet Union’s most dangerous spy. Blake went from being a religious zealot to Communist adherent in a few years, affected, he said, by the American influence and bombings in Korea, and his disappointment in the church. He revealed a great deal of secret information including the UK/US tunnel under Berlin. After capture and an horrendous 42 year sentence, he escaped from prison and now lives in Moscow.

The Branch ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING followed by a Talk – “An Artist’s View of 19th Century Rural Britain” Felicity Herring Felicity Herring has a BA in history and economics and an MA in Fine Art Valuation. She is an experienced Art Society lecturer and also lectures on cruise ships. She is a member of the […]

Oxfordshire Branch private tour of Broughton Castle. Broughton Castle is a moated and fortified manor house , the core of the house was built in 1306 and the gatehouse in the early fifteenth century, but most of what you see today dates from the 1550’s. It was a centre of opposition to Charles I and […]

Devon & Exeter branch invite you to a dinner & talk on the subject of ‘Celestial Images: Saints and Sinners, Intersections of Astronomy, Art and Religion' by Professor Michael Mendillo from Boston University, Massachusetts. Celestial imagery of constellations spans human history, from cave art to modern digital representations of the sky.  Images of astronomy and […]

To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic David Hearn will talk about Liverpool’s strategic role in this crucial battle of World War Two. Ticket price includes a two course lunch at the Athenaeum For further details please contact Sue Davies at [email protected]

Lunch followed by a talk on 'The Norfolk Wherries' by Brain Hedge

Professor Niger Biggar, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford will deliver a talk on Ethics and Empire. From the 18th century until the years after the Second World War  Britain ruled an enormous  empire. Attitudes to this have changed over the last 100 years, moving from popular pride to doubt and guilt. […]

The talk follows the trajectory of Susan M. Sandover, who was lucky enough to have chosen an enlightened, forward-thinking Libyan career diplomat, Bashir, to spend her life with. They supported each other through the traumas, difficulties, and terrifying experiences associated with the Gaddafi regime of US and NATO bombings, coups, a revolution and a blasphemy […]

The ESU Buckinghamshire Branch invites you join them for a fascinating talk by Edward Thonne on the Suffragettes and the Hughenden Vote. 7.00pm Wednesday 2nd October Church House Hughenden Manor Event is Free with contribution for refreshments. For Bookings - contact Simon Kearey [email protected] 07956 183262

Nick Dobson is new to us as a speaker but he has many strings to his bow – he will take us on a virtual tour of London by tube, stopping off to look at places of historical interest on the route. Refreshments are available from 10.15am and the talk will start at 10.45am.