The Tynemouth project has staged a number of very successful talks at the Low Lights Tavern over the past 12 months. Building on that foundation the project has organised a series of free lectures in association with Northumbria University, to be held in central Newcastle at the prestigious Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road at 6pm on eight dates from October, 2013 to May, 2014.
We have been fortunate indeed to secure a line-up of speakers widely-recognised as experts in their specialist fields and all recognised as having particular interest in the history of the Great War.
The first speaker, on 9th October, will be Professor Sir Hew Strachan, of All Souls College, Oxford. A member of the government’s World War One commemorations planning group, he has firm views on how the war should be remembered and the part played in it by Britain, her Dominions, colonies and allies.
Other speakers include Emeritus Professors Martin Pugh and John Derry of Newcastle University, speaking on Women and the Great War; and Hindenburg and Ludendorff (German commanders), respectively.
John Lewis-Stempl, author of the widely acclaimed book ‘Six Weeks – the short and gallant life of the British officer in the First World War’ will talk on his findings. Dr Edward Madigan historian in residence at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Professor Gary Sheffield, soon to take a new chair of WW1 studies at the University of Wolverhampton, will consider courage and valour; and Sir Douglas Haig (British Supreme Commander on the Western front), respectively.
The role of the Royal Navy will be examined by Professor Andrew Lambert of King’s College London, a former lecturer at the Royal Naval Staff College and Sandhurst Military Academy.
Finally Professor Joanna Bourke, of Birkbeck College, London University will examine the aftermath of the war in a lecture entitled ‘Armistice and Disability’.
Details of how to register interest in attending any of these lectures can be found at our website www.tynemouthworldwarone.org We would encourage anyone who would like to hear these acknowledged expert speakers to assist us by registering an interest as soon as possible.
Further details about each event will be provided in this column and on our website as the series progresses. We believe this is a significant programme of lectures and we have been signally successful in attracting such a range of widely recognised persons. All are giving freely of their time to speak to an interested audience not often able to hear such experts outside the capital. This series of lectures is something which emphasises the credibility of the Tynemouth Project nationally, in that we have been able to secure such a range of exceptionally learned speakers.
Meanwhile, our next three talks at the Low Lights Tavern, Brewhouse Bank, Fish Quay will begin with ‘Cruelty and Compassion’ a review of the literature of the Great War, to be given by Mr Ian McArdle at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 30th July, 2013. Tickets – Free – can be obtained from the Low Lights Tavern, Keel Row Bookshop and the Project workroom.
