Edgar Royston Pike, formerly Chairman of the Esher Council, introduced the ‘Esher Library Lectures’ in the late 1960s.
In 1974, Elmbridge Borough Council changed the title of these lectures to the ‘Royston Pike Lectures’ in appreciation of his 20 years’ work on the Library Committee.
All lectures are held at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF at 7.30pm on the following evenings. Tickets are £4 per person.
Autumn 2025 Programme
Wednesday 12 November: 'The Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower' by Caroline Stanford
Built in 1822, the Semaphore Tower on Chatley Heath is a unique survival from a chain of semaphore towers that once stretched from Whitehall to Portsmouth Harbour, commissioned in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo. The semaphore was invented by Rear Admiral Sir Home Riggs Popham and stood briefly at the cutting-edge of communications technology and is still in use today. The tower was restored anew by the Landmark Trust in 2021-22. This talk will tell the fascinating history of the Tower’s construction and inhabitants, and its recent restoration.
Caroline Stanford is the Landmark Trust’s in-house historian and has researched the tower and its history. Caroline writes, speaks and lectures extensively about Landmark’s buildings to a wide range of audiences, and oversees Landmark’s outreach programmes and archives. She writes the Landmark History Albums.
'Book tickets for 'The Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower
Winter and Spring 2026 Programme
Thursday 15 January: 'Craftland: A Journey Through Britain's Lost Arts and Vanishing Trade' by James Fox
Craft was once at the heart of British life, but many traditional skills are now endangered. Over three years, James Fox travelled across Britain to meet the last remaining masters of crafts like blacksmithing, wheelwrighting, bell-founding and watchmaking. In this talk, he shares their remarkable stories and reveals why handmade traditions still matter in a digital age.
James Fox is a bestselling author, academic and BAFTA-nominated broadcaster known for his acclaimed BBC documentaries. He is Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Creative Director of the Hugo Burge Foundation which supports arts and crafts across Britain.
Book tickets for 'Craftland: A Journey Through Britain's Lost Arts and Vanishing Trade'
Wednesday 11 February 2026 - Singing with Nightingales by Sam Lee
Join folk singer and naturalist Sam Lee on a narrated journey into the world of the Nightingale, one of nature’s most elusive and enchanting songbirds. For centuries, this bird has inspired poets, artists and storytellers. Through immersive surround-sound field recordings and rich storytelling, discover the Nightingale’s extraordinary life and its deep connection to human culture and the land.
Sam Lee is a Mercury Prize-nominated folksinger, song collector and environmental activist. With four acclaimed albums, including his latest - 'Songdreaming', a love letter to the land- he blends music, nature and community. He created the popular 'Singing With Nightingales' series and authored 'The Nightingale: Notes on a Songbird' (2021).
A passionate advocate for the planet, Sam co-founded Music Declares Emergency and works with Earth Percent to raise awareness of the climate crisis. His work invites people into deeper connection with nature through song, storytelling and guided experiences.
Book tickets for 'Singing with Nightingales'
Wednesday 11 March 2026 - Strong Roots by Olia Hercules
Join Olia Hercules as she shares 'Strong Roots', a powerful family memoir tracing 100 years of Ukrainian history through four generations. From Stalin-era exile to the 2022 invasion, Olia weaves stories of resilience, belonging and heritage, enriched with family recipes and reflections on home.
Olia is the award-winning author of four cookbooks, including 'Mamushka' and 'Home Food'. In response to the war in Ukraine, she co-founded the global #CookForUkraine campaign which has raised over £2 million in aid.
Book tickets for 'Strong Roots'
Bookselling partner: Cobham Bookshop