Lectures

John lectured for the University of Kent from 1992 to 2010, teaching a variety of architectural and social history studies, and has worked on a sessional basis for many other academic institutions. He was a regular tutor at Denman College for over 35 years, and taught for the WEA for two decades. An enthusiastic and popular approach to his subject ensures that he has a large following of regular students.

In addition to his contracted lectures John is a popular speaker at meetings of many different groups including The Arts Society, the National Trust, and historical societies country-wide.

His lecture tours to public libraries and colleges in Germany where he speaks on English literature and its links with topographical and architectural history are well received.

ALL LECTURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO GROUPS COUNTRYWIDE ON ZOOM, and John can even host the meeting for you.

His current portfolio of lectures includes:

• A Chip off Queen Victoria`s Block. The remarkable story of the Gleichen family of sculptors.
• Bedrooms, Banquets and Balls– the history of the English Country House, its architecture and furnishings.
• Leave no stone unturned – the lives and burial places of the famous and infamous.
• Bravehearts, Sweethearts and Lovehearts in Old Churches
• Britain with Betjeman - the fascinating life of Sir John Betjeman, and his work in the conservation movement.
• Church Eccentricities.The odd and mysterious buildings and people associated with our parish churches.
• Churches in Retirement – The work of the Churches Conservation Trust and the Friends of Friendless Churches
• Curious Kent– follies and unusual stories from the Garden of England.
• Crenels and Merlons– a thousand years of buildings with battlements
• Exploring Cambridgeshire Churches discovering places of wroship in town and country.
• Exploring Cotswold Churches. Explore the wool churches but also those which wealth passed by!
• Exploring Essex Churches An undiscovered treasury of ecclesiastical art and architecture.
• Exploring Kent Churches– an in-depth study of 1500 years of religious heritage. 
• Exploring Lincolnshire Churches From the Wolds to the coast few have explored as widely.
• Exploring Oxfordshire Churches Cotswold stone abounds in these delightful and mostly little-known churches.
• Exploring Sussex Churches– a huge variety of ecclesiastical architecture in Downland Country. 
• For Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals – our Christian rites of passage as displayed in Anglican churches
• Little-known Treasures in Norfolk Churches. Forget their impressive architecture. Here are the personal touches.
• Murder, Sex and Mayhem in English Churches Amidst the stillness and silence images of dramatic times peep out.
• Superior Seats– the often untold story of seating in churches.
• The Church’s Restoration – How our old churches were rebuilt in the nineteenth century

Details of fees and availability on request.  Please do not hesitate to contact me.

John is a proud member of  www.publicspeakerscorner.co.uk