JANUARY 2026

5 THURSDAY SESSIONS starting 15/1/26; 10am - 12 noon;

DEFENDING BRITAIN

The development and changes of Britain’s fortifications in response to changes in history and weapons technology.

ROGER COOKE

FEBRUARY 2026

THURSDAY19/2/26 10am - 12 noon
THE WAY TO THE GALLOWS:

Medieval Justice in Essex and the Essex Gallows Project.
SIMON COXALL MSc

SATURDAY 28/2/26
10.30 - 12.30

TREE SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT

Charlotte Power - Writtle College

 

The talk will consider:

Site factors- soil, climate conditions and other considerations 
Tree function - species, size and suitability 
Tree selection - A - Z of trees for the Essex location, aesthetics and climate change 
Management - planting, pruning, pest and diseases and law
Our speaker, Charlotte, has extensive experience as a-Horticultural lecturer at Writtle University College now ARU Writtle for 37 years with main subject matter Arboriculture and soft landscaping. She previously worked at RGB Kew .

 

MARCH 2026

THURSDAY 5/3/26; 10am - 12 noon
Oswald Mosley & the Blackshirts;

Edward VIII & the Abdication

STEVE CLARKE - WEA lecturer

 

THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 10am - 12 noon

ESSEX EDUCATION FROM TUDOR TIMES

 

Tony Tuckwell - ex Head of KEGS

Thursday 19th March,
10am - 12 noon
A History of Place Names 
Andrew Mowbray MSc

THURSDAY 26th MARCH
10am - 12 noon

THE ONLY COASTAL WAY IS ESSEX.

Tony Tuckwell

APRIL 2026

3 THURSDAYS in APRIL,
10am - 12 noon
St. George in Renaissance Art: England, Italy & Germany

Dr Alison Barker

16/4: ST. GEORGE IN ENGLAND
23/4: AN ITALIAN ST. GEORGE IN ENGLAND
30/4: KNIGHTS IN SILVER AND GOLD

This course examines how St George’s image crossed boundaries and was disseminated. It focuses on England, the German-speaking territories & the Italian peninsula, following the image of St. George, the ‘travellling’ saint. St. George’s status as chivalric hero & Christian martyr  made him uniquely qualified to cross boundaries in this way, especially through the network of courts and court culture.

The image of St George meant different things to different people. Three case studies will examine how he was depicted and viewed across boundaries of space and media.The course is full of rich imagery and detail about the people and places that venerated him.

All sessions are independent. Feel free to attend some or all!

THURSDAY MAY 7th
A visit to Braintree to the

The Warner Textile Archive

Visit Outline

Max. 20 places: Please register via FelstedTalks@icloud.com

Cost: £15 payable in advance.

Transport to/from Braintree is NOT included.
Follow the Warner Archive web link above and select the CONTACT US menu for the location details and nearby parking. 

Meet at Warner Archive 10.15.

10.30 Coffee / Tea

11.00 Talk: “Warner & Son”

11.15 Archive tour and talk “Silks and Velvets”, explaining the connection between Warners and the Monarchy.

We will organise a second visit if this is popular and over-subscribed.

SUMMER BREAK 2026