Climbing 7,000ft up through tea estates to the Raj-era hill station of Darjeeling, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a triumph of civil engineering. Opened in 1881 it was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. Many of the trains are still hauled by the British-built steam locomotives dating back to 1892. Paul Whittle’s talk […]
Speaker Dr Bob Cruthers
Brian Cumming’s talk will provide a unique insight into what it’s like living at the world-renowned Royal Hospital Chelsea, the retirement and nursing home for about 300 veterans of the British Army. The Royal Hospital was built in 1682 on the command of King Charles II and under the direction of the architect Sir Christopher […]
Speaker Alan Chalmers spent 40 years at Wimbledon’s Centre Court as the All England Club’s steward with special responsibility for looking after the seating arrangements and security of the competitors, their guests and assorted VIP guests, his first being Frank Sinatra. He has many anecdotes from 1976 onwards.
Travel journalist and cruise ship speaker Graeme Payne explores how royal jubilee celebrations have evolved from a celebration of the monarch to jubilation by the people.