Expert speakers to tour Medway

Experts will talk about a range of subjects including the Golden Age of Hollywood and Ghosts and the Paranormal when the Wigmore Lecture series goes on tour.

The varied, stimulating and accessible talks will be held at a number of libraries across Medway and will feature expert lectures on a variety of topics.

Two of the lectures will be held in the afternoon to make them more accessible to residents.

Cllr Howard Doe, Portfolio Holder covering Libraries and Community Hubs,  said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved in the lecture series. We are pleased to welcome some fantastic guests and are happy the lectures are once again on tour across Medway. Our libraries have plenty to offer and we look forward to welcoming visitors.”

The series is presented by Medway Libraries in collaboration with Medway Council’s Arts Development Team.

Tickets have already sold out for the Wigmore Lectures at Wigmore Library in October, November and December so make sure you don’t miss out and book your place at the talks in January and February. The March lecture has limited availability. Book at any Medway Library. For more information call 01634 338319.

Wigmore Lectures On Tour
Wednesday, 1 November, 8pm Hempstead Library, Hempstead Road, Gillingham ME7 3QG
Andy Thomas – Ghosts and the Paranormal
In his many years of lecturing, mysteries researcher and author Andy Thomas has met numerous qualified, professional people with extraordinary tales to tell of vivid encounters with ghosts and other apparently ‘paranormal’ events – and has had his own experiences too. The mainstream world generally dismisses these claims as hallucinations or the result of mundane causes. But could there be real phenomena occurring that require better explanations?

Monday, 22 January, 2pm. Wigmore Library, Fairview Avenue, Wigmore, ME8 0PX
Delia Taylor – The Golden Age of Hollywood
The 1930s was the golden age of Hollywood, when people visited the cinema to forget the impact of the Great Depression. We revisit the era of Busby Berkeley musicals, the birth of technicolour, Walt Disney’s first cartoons and some of the greatest films in cinema history. A talk illustrated by film clips and music.

Wednesday, 7 February, 8pm. Twydall Library, Twydall Green, Rainham, ME8 6JY
Ann Kneif – The Bevin Boys
The Bevin Boys were British men aged 18-25 who were conscripted to work in the coal mines during the Second World War.  Find out what fate awaited these young men, some of whom were not released from service until two years after the war ended.

Wednesday, 7 March, 2pm. Lordswood Library, 33 Kestrel Road, Chatham, ME5 8TH
Ian Porter – Suffragettes
Ian Porter takes us into the world of the Suffragettes, their struggle and the characters involved. A story of prison and force-feeding and the indelible place in history of Mrs Pankhurst and Emily Davison.