Royston Pike lectures will return in February 2023 at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF and start at 7.30pm on the dates shown below. You can book your seat online and pay at the door on the evening.
Wednesday 15 February:Approach to mental health - out of sight, out of mind? History of Surrey’s Mental Hospitals, 1700 - c.1990 by Julian Pooley
Considering the contemporary focus on the well-being of our mental health, what was the approach in the past? Using the records of Surrey’s earliest private asylums, county institutions at Springfield, Brookwood and Netherne, the ‘Epsom Cluster’ of Horton, Long Grove, The Manor, St Ebba’s and West Park hospitals, as well as charitable foundations like Royal Earlswood, Redhill and Holloway Sanatorium at Virginia Water, this illustrated talk uses medical archives and historic photographs to uncover the hidden stories of patients, discuss changing approaches to treatment, and explore daily life in a psychiatric institution over three centuries.
Book now for: Approach to mental health - 15 February
Wednesday 15 March:
The life and times of Edith Cavell by Melanie Gibson-Barton BSc (Hons)
Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was a British nurse, working in German-occupied Belgium during the First World War. She helped hundreds of British, French and Belgian soldiers escape the Germans and was arrested, tried and executed in 1915. Melanie’s fully illustrated talk explores the story of the British heroine. It is based on regular visits to Brussels to research the hospitals and homes where Edith worked in her nursing career, as well as the place of her execution. The talk is illustrated by photographs of existing artefacts of Edith’s life.
Book now for: The life and times of Edith Cavell - 15 March
Wednesday 19 April:
A grandmother's legacy - 170 year old cookbook by Jenny Mallin
An ancient family heirloom of a cookbook leads Jenny on a journey of discovery. This book created by her great grandmother in 1844 in Madras uncovers a story of social life, culture, etiquette and habits. This talk tells us much more than a history book. Drawing out information gathered within the pages of this inanimate object, Jenny brings to life five generations of a family who were living during the days of the British Raj.
Book now for: A grandmother's legacy - 19 April
Further information
Download Royston Pike programme - including information on speakers.
Please contact arts@elmbridge.gov.uk for further information.
