Lunchtime talks at the Guildhall in May- May 2009
Lunchtime talks at the Guildhall in May
May 2009
The May series of free lunchtime talks at the Guildhall
organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council celebrates
three anniversaries: The presentation of the Tompion clock to the
Pump Room in 1709, two hundred years since the birth of Charles
Darwin in 1809 and the Bath Pageant in 1909.
In first talk Tompion 300 on Wednesday 6 May, Stephen Clews,
Manager of the Roman Baths & Pump Room, looks at the City of
Bath in 1709 and its world famous clock on the 300th anniversary of
its presentation to the Pump Room.
In the second talk Darwin’s Bathonian friend on Wednesday 13 May,
Matt Williams, curator at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific
Institution, explores Darwin’s connections with Bath and Leonard
Jenyns, an eminent zoologist and botanist who was invited to join
the Beagle but declined. The talk will also look at the
Darwin letters held at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific
Institution and his work with other naturalists.
In the final talk The Bath Pageant of 1909 on Wednesday 20 May,
Kirsten Elliot looks at the historic pageant which lasted for six
days and featured many episodes from Bath’s history including King
Bladud and his pigs, the visit of Queen Charlotte in 1817 and
appearances from Bath’s literary characters and celebrities.
All talks take place at the Guildhall, Bath, between 1.10-1.45pm,
Refreshments are on sale from 12.45pm, and admission is free. For
more information visit www.romanbaths.co.uk/talks
ENDS
For more information contact:
Stephen Clews, Manager of the Roman Baths & Pump Room, 01225
477774, email: stephen_clews@bathnes.gov.uk