Anyone growing up during the austere and gloomy years immediately after the end of WW2 and into the second half of then 20th century will recall the influences that American culture had in brightening up our lives and introducing us to new sounds, images, fashions and foods, themselves promoted by American servicemen who still remained among us. With images and sounds of the era we recall some of these influences and how they remain part of our lives today.

In a lunchtime celebration for ‘Burns Night’, we go slightly ‘off piste’ with a special Scottish themed lunch of haggis, ‘neeps and tatties’ followed by Cranachan to which ladies are also cordially invited. After lunch, our past President, Iain Duncan, will give a talk on the life of Robert Burns accompanied by a video about Scotch whisky making- and a small ‘tot’(!)

 *[Much thanks are due to the Events Team and Chefs at Park Farm Hotel for all their help with this event]

Nick Brewin enjoyed a highly distinguished career as Emeritus Professor at the John Innes Institute in Norwich where he specialised in crop genetics, as well as being an Honorary Professor at U.E.A. In retirement, he now now employs his considerable presentational skills in his role as a guide at Norwich Cathedral. His depth of knowledge of all the many and varied characters who have played their part in the history of the Cathedral converted seamlessly into a highly entertaining talk on their contributions-and, in some cases, shortcomings-and provided a convincing argument that even the most saintly had their occasional flaws(!)

As an auctioneer and online dealer in antiques, vintage items and collectables Stephen describes how the auction business developed over more than 2000 years and reveals the insider secrets the way the trade operates today. There is a fun quiz element with the audience members being invited to identify unusual objects, estimate the value of other items, and guess how much certain pieces sold for at auction.

This off-beat and amusing look at the development of the English Country House takes as its starting point the medieval Hall-House and follows architectural tastes and fashions to the mid twentieth century. It looks at the architecture of the houses, their furnishings and the way in which the rooms were used in different periods.

We also hear about the people who lived in these buildings – many of them eccentric and memorable – and discover the ways in which their whims fashioned the houses we see today. We will hear about exploding cakes, tight mistresses and exotic princes.

Some of the houses included in the lecture are open to the public, but several private homes offer a different vision.

John Vigar was personally encouraged early in his career by John Betjeman and is a Trustee of a national charity of which Betjeman was a founder. He is an architectural historian by profession. He also lectures for several universities and colleges and until his retirement worked for The Churches Conservation Trust.

He lectures extensively across Europe, and leads specialist tours in Britain, including some to private houses that are not open to the public.

Where was The Mayflower built? Where did the passengers come from? Are you one of their descendants? Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged!