MONTHLY MEETINGS at Liston Hall on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2.30pm
Thursday 26th March – James Mitchell and Oliver Williams Flanders and Swann
Join Mitchell and Williams in a delightful journey into the witty, tuneful and quintessentially British world of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann. Celebrated for their charming wordplay, timeless melodies and razor-sharp humour, Flanders and Swann captured the essence of post-war British eccentricity – leaving behind a legacy of songs that are as clever and joyful today as when they first brought them to the stage. In this warm, affectionate tribute, Mitchell and Williams bring the duo’s story to life through music, narration and gentle comedy. Expect favourites such as The Hippopotamus Song, The Gnu, Madeira M’Dear, and many more, interwoven with anecdotes, background tales, and a glimpse into the characters behind the music. Their partnership, creativity and enduring friendship provide a rich background to an evening of nostalgia and laughter. Whether you are already a devoted fan or discovering Flanders and Swann for the first time, this is a celebration of musical mischief, lyrical elegance, and the enduring power of a well-placed rhyme. Come ready to smile, chuckle and perhaps even join in a chorus of Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud!
Thursday 30th April Mark Hopwood CBE The GWR
Mark Hopwood CBE is Managing Director of GWR, the UK’s unique railway, running around 1700 services a day covering the South West, South Wales, the South Coast, the Cotswolds, the North Downs and the Thames Valley with both an overnight Sleeper service and Pullman restaurant dining. Mark was brought up in Marlow and lived there during his formative years. As a teenager he joined the local railway society and successfully achieved improvements to the Marlow line timetable. Mark has held a wide variety of roles in the railway and was awarded the CBE for services to rail in 2021. He is now leading GWR through the transition back to public ownership, and will talk about his career, the train services on the Marlow Branch today and his thoughts for the future of rail services in the Thames Valley.
Thursday 28th May Heather Adams – Not Just Nelson’s Lover – The Rise and Fall of Emma, Lady Hamilton: The lover of Lord Nelson, the celebrated hero of the Napoleonic Wars, and a muse to painters across Europe, Emma was born into a blacksmithing family a far cry from the society glitter of London. With the exciting backdrop of Georgian society this talk will explore Emma’s rise, and fall, alongside a celebration of some of the latest fashion, events and advances that make up our understanding of this time.
| Let’s Talk get-togethers are every Monday morning at 11am at the Marlow Donkey, giving an opportunity to meet and get to know committee members and others. |
Theatre visits – check the current newsletter for forthcoming theatre visits.
There are National Summer Schools and Workshops, and Thames Valley U3A Events. For information on these events and booking forms please click here Thames Valley Network Events.