Wednesday 24th September. Mike Bailey spoke about the sweating sickness which beset Britain and Europe between 1485 and 1551, a mysterious story. Very little if anything is known of the afflictions origin but it struck in a series of waves between 1485 and 1551. The mortality rate was an appalling 50% and very quick in killing a victim from onset of symptoms. Mike looked at what is known about the disease itself, the efforts to combat it, the impact on society and gave some thought as to why did it disappear.
Wednesday 10th September. ‘The History of Ice-cream’ Dave Munsen talked about some historical trivia from his lifelong appreciation of ice-cream. Dave looked at the history of ice-cream over the last couple of centuries in Britain by highlighting some fascinating items of trivia that may, or may not, get you queueing for a cone! Samples were not provided!
Wednesday 23rd July. Philip Stewart gave a talk on the ‘Diamond Necklace Affair’. The Affair of the Diamond Necklace took place in 1784 and 1785, with a controversial trial in 1786. The Affair involved Queen Marie Antoinette and is historically significant as one of many events that led to the French disillusionment with the monarchy.
Wednesday 9th July. Michael Dark gave a talk on the life of Alan Turing who is considered by many to be the apostle of IT. Whilst most of us are aware of Turing’s wartime work at Bletchley Park, Britain’s codebreaking centre, Michael explained that his work covered much more than that.
Wednesday 25th June. Les Hales gave a talk entitled ‘Ned Ludd” and the Luddite Riots 1811-1813’. Les explained that the term “Luddite” has passed into common parlance, criticising those who are against technological change. This talk will explained where the term came from, and the real effects that the establishment of factories had on the lives of ordinary people and Beau Brummell’s stockings.”
Wednesday 11th June. Lyn Eynon spoke about Environment and Power: origins of the industrial revolution in Wales
Wednesday 28th May. Ian Doyle talked about Comancheria – a Stone Age Empire in the modern age. Ian explained that Comancheria was an historic region of the South Western United States covering the modern states of New Mexico and the western Texas; with Comanches raiding north into territories in Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado and as far south as Mexico. Ian informed the group on the historical context of the Comanche culture as recorded by early Spanish settlers, before to the emergence of the American wagon trains crossing the continental United States to California (1540 – 1824).
Wednesday 14th May. Mike Bailey gave a talk about The Rise and Fall of the Airship.
Wednesday 23rd April. Alison Tamson gave a talk about the building we all know so well. Standing on the shoulders of 400 years of history this talk traced the near 400 years of history from the early stirrings of Puritanism to today’s modern and thriving City United Reformed Church Cardiff.
Wednesday 9th April. Andrew gave a talk about the Maunsell Forts, towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend London and Liverpool from air attack.
Wednesday 26th March. Philip identified the richest man who ever lived – Mansa Musa, the 14th Century emperor of Mali – and examined how he acquired his wealth and used it generously on his 4,500 miles Hajj to Mecca, and on his return contributed to making Mali the centre of learning and culture in the Islamic world.
Wednesday 12th March. Truda’s talk on the Mathematics of Yellow Fever explored the intriguing mathematics of Yellow Fever, which includes a simple formula required to prove how, when and by what means yellow fever is spread.
Wednesday 26th February. Mario Greening presented a talk on ‘The Book of the Dead in which he he explored some ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs and the hope that a personalised crib sheet ensured that the dead’s heart in the afterlife was not eaten en route to immortality by a crocodile.
Wednesday 25th September. Ian Doyle gave a talk on the History of the Falkland Islands and in particular the Argentinian claim of their ownership which Argentina calls the Malvenas.
Wednesday 11th September. Andrew Rees gave a talk entitled ‘The pound in your pocket – a history of British Currency’.
Wednesday 24th July. Mario gave his long awaited talk on the Spanish Inquisition.
Wednesday 26th June. Truda explained the Antarctic rivalry between Captain Robert Scott and the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, leading to the tragic death of Scott and most members of his expedition.
Wednesday 12th June. Close to the 80th anniversary of D Day, Mike Bailey looked at the British involvement in the Normandy campaign, and how the British forces evolving from a relatively green force to a far more professional army capable of bettering the Germans.
Wednesday 22nd May. Sarah Boyce explained to us the History of Holidays, through the ages from holiday festivals of Ancient Egypt to Victorian and Edwardian excursionists. Part 2 of her talk followed in October.
Wednesday 8th May. Martin Swain gave a talk on the Newport Transporter Bridge, discussing the history of bridges crossing the River Usk at Newport, the problems with the Old Town Bridge in the late 19th century and the reasons for the construction of the Transporter Bridge, completed in 1906. Martin showed several wonderful old photographs of the Old Town Bridge and the construction of the Transporter Bridge. Martin concluded with a short explanation of the current building of a new visitor centre and the restoration work to the bridge before it reopens later this year.