Talks
The 2022 – 2023 season
A list of this season’s talks appears below; click on an individual entry for more information.
- 04Oct 2022Next talk
Madagascar: The Gardens of Mars
John Gimlette · Tuesday 4 October 2022, 8pm
John, a writer and journalist, travels the world’s fourth largest island, visiting remote tribes, enchanted forests, battlefields, sorcerers and an eccentric militia. Prepare to be surprised.
- 18Oct 2022Next talk
Jordan - The Desert Highway
Jan Parsons · Tuesday 18 October 2022, 8pm
In a change to our scheduled talk, Jan will take us on a journey through the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from the Golan Heights to the desert of Wadi Rum, well known for its links to T E Lawrence.
- 01Nov 2022Next talk
Glorious Georgia
Jonny Bealby & David Phillips · Tuesday 1 November 2022, 8pm
Jonny will talk about this magical country in the Caucasus mountains that straddles the border between East and West. After the break David will look at the birds, mammals and plants found in Georgia’s mountains and steppes and coast.
- 15Nov 2022Next talk
Up Close on the Silk Road
Sophie Ibbotson · Tuesday 15 November 2022, 8pm
Travel across Central Asia from the Pamir mountains to the desert sands of the Kyzylkum, exploring the natural and man-made treasures of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- 29Nov 2022Next talk
Members' Social & Lake District: Celebration and Warning
Chris Forse · Tuesday 29 November 2022, 8pm
Join us for our annual social evening and quiz, then Chris celebrates the Lake District’s unique landscape and way of life, but can it and its culture be sustained in a changing world?
- 13Dec 2022Next talk
The Fascination of Islands
John Beatty · Tuesday 13 December 2022, 8pm
Why are islands so compelling? John will help us answer this question with his images of islands worldwide — icy, tropical, desert, flat, high and volcanic.
- 17Jan 2023Next talk
In the Footsteps of Remarkable Women
Annabel Abbs · Tuesday 17 January 2023, 8pm
From Texas and New Mexico to the furthest corners of Europe and Australia, join Annabel as she explains how the transformative power of walking affected the lives, writings and art of historical women.
- 24Jan 2023Next talk
The Gibraltar Story and Malta GC
Paul Whittle · Tuesday 24 January 2023, 8pm
In a change to our original programme, Paul will give us a wide-ranging look at these two former bastions of British military power in the Mediterranean – their history, heritage, culture and their vital role in World War 2.
- 07Feb 2023Next talk
Cycling the TransAm
John Weatherburn · Tuesday 7 February 2023, 8pm
The TransAmerica Bicycle Trail was conceived to celebrate America’s bicentenary. John rode the 4,300-mile route in 2015, exploring its geography, culture and history.
- 21Feb 2023Next talk
Travels in Afghanistan
Chris Aslan Alexander · Tuesday 21 February 2023, 8pm
Chris will talk about his numerous adventures in Afghanistan, buying natural dyes, assisting textile projects and even swimming across the border river with Tajikistan.
- 07Mar 2023Next talk
Coconuts to the Credit Crunch
Andy Browning · Tuesday 7 March 2023, 8pm
The story of Andy’s adventure, travelling over 10,000 miles through the heart of the African continent entirely by public transport, to surprise an old friend.
- 21Mar 2023Next talk
Shackleton’s South Georgia
Mark Stratton · Tuesday 21 March 2023, 8pm
South Georgia is best known for Sir Ernest Shackleton. But if he could return today, he might not recognise the world’s only ecosystem in recovery.
- 04Apr 2023Next talk
Journey into the Strangest Lands
Nick Hunt · Tuesday 4 April 2023, 8pm
A journey through landscapes out of place: arctic tundra in Scotland; primeval forest in Poland and Belarus; Europe’s only desert in Spain; and the grassland steppes of Hungary.
- 18Apr 2023Next talk
AGM & Members’ Talks & Mongolia on Ice
Matt Nixon · Tuesday 18 April 2023, 8pm
With minimal experience of ice skating, Matt took on a 100-mile skate down the frozen Lake Khovsgol in Mongolia. There were broken bones but it was fun in hindsight.
These are the main items of the programme, but they may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Other events will be announced at the meetings and in our newsletters.