2015/16 Lecture Programme
The Society meets at the Hull Royal Hotel, 170 Ferensway, Hull HU1 3UF
All lectures are presented in the Royal Suite and start at 7.30pm prompt.
Doors are normally open at 6.45pm but access may be delayed if lecture preparations are not complete.
The audience are requested to please be in their seats before 7.25pm
13th October 2015
The Maya
Masters of Time
Masters of Time
Professor Elizabeth Graham
The Mayan Civilisation of Central America created splendid art and architecture in the period 250- 900 AD . . .
20th October 2015
Dance:
Manners Morals and Class
Manners Morals and Class
Jeremy Barlow
'Do not spit or blow your nose too much' advises a 16th century dance treatise. From the mid-15th century onwards . . .
3rd November 2015
The next 50 years in space
Jerry Stone, FBIS
October 4th 1957 marked the beginning of the Space Age, with the launch of Sputnik 1, followed followed later by . . .
27th October 2015
Incendiary History
The Story of Fireworks
The Story of Fireworks
Dr Simon Werrett
Dr. Werrett’s talk explores the history and development of pyrotechnics from the middle ages in China up to . . .
10th November 2015
Waterloo
The Battle for Europe
The Battle for Europe
Major Gordon Corrigan, MBE
Waterloo was the culmination of twenty-two years of almost continual warfare, where Britain was the one constant . . .
17th November 2015
Future Oceans
A Sea of Hope or Despair
A Sea of Hope or Despair
Professor Callum Roberts
Callum’s research has shown that a wave of biodiversity loss is engulfing marine and coastal eco-systems . . .
1st December 2015
Our Society
Margaret Imrie
Our Literary & Philosophical Society has a history full of incident. A rocky start included a treasurer who . . .
24th November 2015
Land of Geysers & Gyrs
Keith Offord
Vast expanses of wild country comprising rugged mountains, volcanoes and lakes make Iceland one of the most . . .
12th January 2016
The History of Pantomime
Jane Tapley
In her lecture Jane explores the complex and fascinating story of how Pantomime developed out of its Greek and Roman roots . . .
19th January 2016
The Tale of the Tulip
The Rise & Fall of this Flower
The Rise & Fall of this Flower
Russell Bowes
In the middle of the 14th century, a beautiful and exotic visitor from the east set foot on European soil for the very first time . . .
2nd February 2016
What Price Immortality
Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE
Professor Kirkwood has been fascinated by the ageing process for much of his professional life. In his time he has . . .
26th January 2016
Chusan Island
Britain's First Chinese Island
Britain's First Chinese Island
Liam D’Arcy Brown
Before the Union Jack ever flew over Hong Kong, it had been raised on Chusan. From a wealth of primary archives . . .
9th February 2016
Chinese Porcelain
Fakes Forgeries and Reproductions
Fakes Forgeries and Reproductions
Paul Harris
In recent years, skyrocketing prices for Chinese art – especially paintings and porcelain – have been a ubiquitous . . .
16th February 2016
J Arthur Rank
From Flour Magnate to Film Mogul (and back)
From Flour Magnate to Film Mogul (and back)
Professor Neil Sinyard
Born in Hull in 1889, J Arthur Rank established himself not only as a vitally important presence in the British film industry . . .
1st March 2016
1000 Years of History in Cathedrals
Jon Cannon
Jon has an extensive knowledge, a profound interest and great enthusiasm for English mediaeval churches and cathedrals . . .
23rd February 2016
Dragons & Damsels
Spectacular Predators of the Insect World
Spectacular Predators of the Insect World
David Chandler
Supremely colourful, among the most voracious predators of the insect world and on the wing for more than 300 million years . . .
The Hull Literary & Philosophical Society is registered as a Charity No 507226