Dart Valley

Monthly Meetings

2nd THURSDAY of the month at the Flavel, except August, 10 for 10.30 am.

For the full programme of talks for 2024 please download the leaflet '2024 Speaker Programme' on the right.

Dates for your Diary
Meetings
Thu Apr 11th Wonderful World of Glass
Dr F E Burroughs

From his own collection, he brings historic and valuable items of glass for members to examine for themselves, to illustrate the history of glassmaking from 3,000 B.C. to the present day. Francis is an acknowledged expert, and often asked to lend pieces and speak about them for various television antique programmes.
Thu May 9th The Heritage of Gilbert and Sullivan
Bernard Lockett

A historical background, assessment and overview of their works; to consider the vast amount of social and political satire in the shows, the reasons and a wry look at how much is relevant today; Finally, to consider the world-wide popularity of G & S in the 21st Century.
Thu Jun 13th The Secret Lives of the Elements
Kathryn Harkup

The periodic table appears as an orderly row of elements which never break the rules. Kathryn reveals that there are personalities, passions, quirks and historical oddities behind those ordered rows. It is a sprawling family tree with its own black sheep, wayward cousins and odd uncles. She tells weird and wonderful stories of discovery, inspiration and revolution. Some elements are relatively anonymous others are seen in a new light and old friends have surprising secrets to share.
Thu Jul 11th Gold Rushes of the Pacific
Katrina Gulliver

This talk looks at the history of the gold rushes of Australia, California, and Alaska.
Thu Sep 12th Galileo and the Roman Inquisition
Janet Diamond

A world renowned scientist, astronomer and engineer, the inventor of the thermoscope, various military compasses and more, Galileo developed the telescope for scientific observations of celestial objects which confirmed the phases of Venus, observed the four largest moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and more. He was appointed mentor of the Medici Princes but even with the mighty Medici’s behind him he was imprisoned by the Roman Inquisition, his books banished, and he faced torture. The story tells of the rise and fall of one of the greatest names of modern science.
Thu Oct 10th Magnificent Women and Flying Machines
Sally Smith

Just 18 months after two Frenchmen made the world’s first flight in 1783 a fearless British woman hopped into a flimsy balloon and flew across the London sky for nearly an hour. Since then, many British women have followed their dreams into the sky. This talk describes these women who achieved firsts in various forms of aviation right up to the first woman in space focussing on personalities, social history and what the women did.
Thu Nov 14th Topic to be confirmed.
Jung Chang

Jung Chang is the best-selling author of “Wild Swans” and “Mao: The Unknown Story” which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, except in China where her books are banned. Her books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have won many awards. Jung has a PHD in Linguistics and has received honorary doctorates from a number of universities in the UK and USA.
Thu Dec 12th A Biologist in Antarctica
John Spicer

What it is like to live and work in Antarctica, the wildlife that influences your daily life, and why the question “what direction is the wind coming from?” is more important than “how cold is it?”