Talks
Munch and Listen
Enjoy our free monthly lunchtime talks programme - just bring your lunch and listen! All welcome.
Please note: there are no talks in August and December.
Priscilla Wakefield: Tottenham activist and forgotten heroine
By Margaret Burr, local historian and Friend of Bruce Castle.
- Monday 25 March, 12.15pm
For Women's History Month, in Haringey we celebrate with Margaret Burr a forgotten local heroine - Priscilla Wakefield (1751-1852) of Tottenham. A well-connected Quaker, she was famous in her lifetime, and was actively engaged in social action and the alleviation of poverty in Tottenham.
As an author, she wrote 17 books for children on a range of subjects, including natural science. She also wrote a book on feminism and feminist economics in 1798, published by a radical publisher. Her philanthropic activities focused in particular on improving the lives of women and children.
Referred to today as the 'Mother of Microfinance', in addition to writing and publishing, Priscilla established local charities and a school, as well as founding the first Savings Bank in England.
Doors open 12 noon.
Refreshments available.
Kindly supported by the Friends of Bruce Castle.
Piecing Together the Past: Tracing Lost Films
by Ian Christie, Professor of Film and Media History, Birkbeck College
- Monday 29 April, 12.15pm
Most of the hundreds of films produced in Muswell Hill by early film pioneer Robert Paul before 1910 have disappeared. But they are gradually being found, often in strange places! In this talk, Ian Christie will reveal some recent discoveries, and suggests how and where we might look for more long-lost early films.
Doors open 12 noon.
Refreshments available.
Kindly supported by the Friends of Bruce Castle.
Hear Here
Our free evening monthly talks programme is on the last Wednesday of each month. All welcome.
Please note: there are no talks in August and December.
Meet the Author: Catching Falling Stars
Researching and writing a Haringey-based WW2 children’s novel
by Karen McCombie, local author
- Wednesday 27 March, 7.30pm
Highly-acclaimed children’s author and Haringey resident Karen McCombie (external link) has written over 90 children’s books which have been published worldwide. Her latest novel, 'Little Bird Flies' was recently chosen as both a Sunday Times and The Times Children’s Book of the Week, as well as a Telegraph Best Children’s Books of 2019 choice. Karen's home turf of Haringey has been the setting of several of her books, from best-selling series ‘Ally’s World’ in the early 2000s to 2017’s ’The Pearl in the Attic’, which both feature Alexandra Palace.
For this talk, as part of Women's History Month, Karen will focus on the writing of her WW2 evacuee novel ‘Catching Falling Stars’, partly set in Wood Green, including details of her invaluable research at Haringey Archive at Bruce Castle.
As this year marks 80 years since the start of the Second World War and the beginning of evacuation of children from wartime threats in London, do come and hear about familiar memories connected with your own or your families’ experiences.
Signed copies of the book ‘Catching Falling Stars’ will be available to buy on the night.
Doors open at 7pm.
Refreshments available.
Kindly supported by the Friends of Bruce Castle.
The Man Who Invented Cinema – really! Britain's first film studio in Muswell Hill
by Ian Christie, Professor of Film and Media History, Birkbeck College
- Wednesday 24 April, 7.30pm
How did the early film pioneer Robert Paul of Muswell Hill get dropped from British film history? France, America and Germany have all celebrated their own film pioneers. But Britain has had a complex relationship with the industry that started in London in 1894. Join film historian and specialist Ian Christie as he unpacks the hidden history of Paul's neglect, arguing that his pioneering example should be recognised today to inspire us in this age of digital media.
Doors open 7pm.
Refreshments available.
Kindly supported by Friends of Bruce Castle
