Members of the Flexible History Group share a wide ranging interest in all things historical with no aspect of history being off limits. We find that meeting monthly encourages us to read around topics new to us and to listen to subjects we know nothing about – all about broadening the mind.
Meetings take place on the third Thursday of the month from 10 till 12.
We usually look into one topic per meeting, though larger topics may spread over two or three meetings, and once the formal aspect of the meeting is done it is supplemented with discussion of the topic in hand and of course wide ranging conversation, historical and otherwise and refreshments. We shall soon be giving each of Queen Victoria’s children (all nine of them!) a thorough examination; we are keen to find out what became of them all.
We usually meet in the home of members by rotation, though hosting a meeting is entirely voluntary, but we also take excursions to places of historical interest – recent trips have included Newstead Abbey (for fans of the poet Lord Byron) and the ancient church of St Mary in Wirksworth.
Each group member takes responsibility in turn for deciding what topic will be the focus of a meeting. How you tackle it is entirely up to you – it may be a presentation or showing a film or sending us something to read and leading a discussion about it or organising a visit or trip – the possibilities are endless.
We currently have a couple of vacancies for new members so whatever your interest in history please do get in touch and come along to see if we are for you.
The co-ordinator is Helen Boocock (e-mail), or telephone 07818 690925.
| 2024 | 2025 | ||
| January | The History of the Perfume Industry (with smellavision) with special emphasis on Georgian and early Victorian times. | The American Civil War and its aftermath: the battle of the novels. (Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Gone with the Wind.) | |
| February | A History of Putney, fact and fiction. | The History of Venice Part I 1. Raising Venice from the marshes 2.The role of the Doges 3. St Mark’s Cathedral 4. Venetian artists over time | |
| March | Continental Composers of the 18th Century | The History of Venice Part II 5.The use of canals 6. Murano Glass 7. The Merchant of Venice 8. Venetian music | |
| April | 18th Century Quiz and Byron – a few facts | A history of the National Gallery. | |
| May | Newstead Abbey – visit | Tulips | |
| June | A visit to St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth | Visit to Leicester to the Richard III Visitor Centre, Cathedral and possibly Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. | |
| July | The Romanovs Part III | The Black Death | |
| August | Serfdom in Suffolk in the late middle ages, 1200-1500. | Historical Hoaxes: hoaxes that influenced the course of history, were intended to but failed, or became subjects of interest to historians. | |
| September | George IV and William IV | ||
| October | The discovery of the remains of Richard III – a DVD. | Napoleon – his wives and women. | |
| November | The Romanovs – the final part. | ||
| December | Victoria’s Children in 9 parts. |