Video

The Coronation of King Charles III April 2023

In this talk I'll explain what's going to happen and why and what to look out for when you watch the Coronation. 

Making of the UK 21 March 2023

This is the culmination of this term's talks - how did the UK come about and what is it made up of.   To enable you to make more sense of the symbolism in the Coronation of King Charles III.

Scotland 2 14 March 2023

Learn about the Stone of Scone which will be used for the Coronation of  Charles III and politics in Scotland, the rise of the SNP, collapse of Scottish Labour and a look a the leadership race to be next First Minister in Scotland. 

Scotland part 1 7 March 2023

Scotland's history up to the first devolved Parliament in 1998, via great heros, wars and treaties and the Acts of Union creating the Kingdom of Great Britain. 

Wales part 2 28 February 2023 

Welsh language and poetry, Wales's industrial development, independence and devolved powers and finally two great recipes - with some film recommendations along the way - it's all here!

Wales Part 1 21 February 2023

The first part of my history of Wales covers the early English Welsh conflicts before annexation by England, controversy over the Prince of Wales and an introduction to the country.  

Palestine Part 2    7 February 2023

From the the Second World War and the end of the British mandate to the present day.  A necessarily brief look at the major events along the way and Britain's role and legacy. 

Palestine Part 1             31 January 2023

Britain's role in the history of Palestine.  From the fall of the Ottomon Empire at World War 1, to the deals done between the British and the Arabs this talk looks at the role the UK played in creating the situation in Palestine today. 

Falklands part 2              24 January 2023

How the war was covered in the British press; memorials to the dead; how the Falkland Islands have developed in the past 40 years and more about the ongoing relationship with Argentina.  

And why there is a significant community of Welsh speakers in Patagonia!!

The Falklands War part 1, 17 January 2023

The build up to the War, failed diplomacy and the ten weeks of the conflict.  

New Year Honours 2023 10 January 2023

The first Honours list from the new King.  Find out who got what and take a walk through some of the people in the UK "you should have heard of", as well as some you might like to know about.