2026

10th November 2026
Tony Tutton – The Music and Memories Show (this replaces previously advertised Bob Dylan)
Tony was born in Walthamstow in 1947 (a “Baby Boomer”), His working life was in the Fire & Security industry, but his first love was music. He gave his first performance on stage at the age of six. Tony celebrated 70 years in the music business in 2023 and presented to us previously on the life of Buddy Holly.
This time Tony will present his Music and Memories Show with singalong hits from 1950s, 60s and 70s. He will take us through a Visual and Audio musical trip through 3 great decades including Cliff Richard, The Drifters, Bud Holly, The Beatles, Tom Jones, John Denver, Neil Diamond and many more.

8th December 2026
Michael Buck – Michael’s Merry Santa 2026
Michael lives locally and trained at a top London Drama College and has many years of improvisational performance experience. His unique shows are aimed at older audiences to reminisce, bring laughter and engagement. 
Michael will present his Merry Santa 2026 performance which will include traditional sing-along songs, cracker jokes, Christmas games with lots of fun & laughter. Just perfect for our Christmas meeting.

2027

12th January 2027
Tony Harris – Margaret Thatcher
At previous meetings Tony has brought Henry VIII and Winston Churchill back to life for us. This time he dons the two-piece blue suit and brings his handbag as Mrs Thatcher. We’ll learn what she kept in the bag, why she didn’t pursue a career in music and all the highlights (and low lights) of her time in Westminster.
Margaret Thatcher was the most divisive Prime Minister our Country has ever known. On the one hand she was celebrated as the first female to become PM but on the other she was despised by unions and workers who found her cold and unfeeling. Wherever you stand on the Maggie issue there’s no doubt it’s an incredible story told to us by one of our favourite speakers.

9th February 2027
Martin Orkin – The Beatle Story Part 1 – Beatlemania
Martin has visited us twice before. In 2023 he presented ‘Revivals of the Beatles’ and in 2024 ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’.
This time he will present Part 1 of his presentation ‘The Beatle Story Part 1 – Beatlemania. It will cover the early years of The Beatles and how they got started on the road to amazing success! Martin will discuss this wonderful group, who made so many fantastic recordings during the era of Beatlemania: 'Love Me Do', 'She Loves You', 'I Want to Hold Your Hand', 'A Hard Day's Night', 'Help!', 'Day Tripper' and 'We Can Work It Out'. We will hear snippets of each of these great records and many more, as Martin tells their story.

9th March 2027
Martin Attridge – Amazing Snippets from the 18th Century
Martin previously spoke to us about ‘The Great Fire of London’; he will return to present to us on 'Amazing Snippets from the 18th Century!' 
His talk will cover:
- How did  the Hanoverians come to rule in 1714?
- What produced the infamous Gin Craze in London?
- Who caused our calendar to lose 11 days in September 1752?       
- Which taxes did  William Pitt introduce to fight the nation's wars?
- How was Admiral John Byng made a tragic scapegoat by the Navy?

13th April 2027
Lloyd Cowley – The History of the Ukelele
Lloyd is a Hertfordshire-based ukulele specialist who performs, teaches, runs workshops and more. His musical career started with the recorder, moving on to the trumpet at 7 years old and then the tuba. He bought his first ukelele at 16. He studied music at the University of Southampton and performed in the university bands.
For this meeting he will take us on an interactive walk through the ukulele's past – with demonstrations. He will bring about 15 ukuleles along for us to try them if we wish. His talk will take us on a journey through the ukulele’s colourful history – from its origins in Portugal and Hawaii to its rise in vaudeville, wartime, and modern pop culture.

11th May 2027
Elizabeth Eastwood – The Queen of Herts
Elizabeth is a Blue Badge Guide, a member of the St Albans Tour Guides and trains new tour guides.  She is also guide at Windsor Castle and around Hertfordshire.
At our May meeting Elizabeth will talk to us about Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother who was a local girl and had close family ties with Hertfordshire. And it was in Hertfordshire that the Tudor dynasty was born and where both Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I began their reigns. Less well known are the other Queens who often stayed in the county at the various royal palaces. This talk looks at royal women in Hertfordshire. And why King’s Langley owes its origins to a palace built by a Queen.

8th June 2027
Bob Sinfield – Blasts from the Past
Bob is an actor, broadcaster and scriptwriter, specialising in comedy. He has written for many famous comedians including Bob Monkhouse and Jasper Carrott. He spent 25 years scripting every star on the box, from Lenny Henry and Maureen Lipman to Tracey Ullman and Rory Bremner.
He previously presented to us on ‘The Gag Trade - Misadventures in TV and Radio Comedy.’ He returns to share ‘Blasts from the Past where he will revisit some of history's most colourful characters, including Thomas Edison, Charles Darwin and the roguish diarist Samuel Pepys.

13th July 2027
Bill Lindsay - William Schaw Lindsay MP: from cabin boy to shipping magnate
Bill will talk about William Schaw Lindsay MP and his journey from cabin boy to shipping magnate. He will include readings from Lindsay's diaries which are held in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Lindsay was Bill’s great-great-grandfather and had an amazing life. He was born in Ayr in 1815, he was orphaned aged 10, ran away to sea as a teenager and within 9 years was a captain of an ocean-going vessel. He retired from the sea, acted as a coal shipping agent in N E England, moved to London to set up a shipbroking Company which very quickly became one of the largest in Britain. He then became an MP. His ships were involved in emigration, the Crimean War, and the American Civil War. He met many famous Victorians and his diaries are full of anecdotes on them. They include Brunel, Nightingale, Dickens, Disraeli, Lincoln, Queen Victoria, and many more. Bill recently published his forefather’s biography.

No talk in August – Summer Break

14th September 2027
Martin Orkin – The Beatle Story Part 2
Martin returns to present Part 2 of the Beatle Story. In this second part he will tell us about the intriguing era of 1966-1970, during which they created some of their finest work! 
This will include wonderful records such as ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’/’Penny Lane’, ‘Yellow Submarine’/’Eleanor Rigby’, ‘Hey Jude’, Get Back’, ‘Come Together’/’Something’ and ‘Let It Be’. There is something for everyone here. From the most tender of ballads to heavy duty rock, by way of some full-blown psychedelic sounds! 

12th October 2027
Mike Ruff - Stories & Songs from the Music Hall (includes live music)
After a rich and varied career of over 35 years Mike is slowing down – a bit. His focus is now on his books and the talks. He is an accomplished, professional musician and entertainer who performs a solo Music Hall show under the stage name The Magnificent Mike Ruff.
Whether delivered as an interactive educational talk, a lively concert, or a blend of both, his performances transport audiences back to the brassy, vibrant heyday of British public entertainment.

9th November 2027
Paul Barwick – Spies, Lies and Scandal-Inside the Profumo Affair
Paul has spoken to us before on the Novichok Affair, the Litvinenko Murder and The Libyan Siege and returns this month to talk about the Profumo Affair - the 1960s British political scandal involving War Secretary John Profumo and 19-year-old model Christine Keeler. At the same time Ms Keeler had a fling with a Russian Naval Attache (and KGB agent, Yevgeny Ivanov).
Profumo denied the affair damaging Harold Macmillan's Conservative government and leading to his resignation as Prime Minister. This intriguing story has many victims -including Stephen Ward and Mandy Rice Davis. Christine Keeler, imprisoned, ridiculed and abused by a vengeful establishment.

14th December 2027
The Willson Consort – Christmas Music Through the Ages
The Willson Consort is a well-known English recorder and early music ensemble led by Lynn Willson. They are based primarily in St Albans.
At this Christmas meeting Lynn Willson will act as both a speaker and musical guide take us on a fascinating historical journey through seasonal compositions, interspersed with live musical demonstrations from the consort.

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