LECTURE REVIEWS 2010

 The subject of our lecture on February 10^th was ‘Blue Plaques’ given by Keith Lovell.  We were all immediately struck by his wonderful sense of humour, a born speaker, his audience not allowed to doze, as he was asking us questions from the moment of his introduction. 

Despite his dislike of history while at school in later life he developed a passion for the protection of our English Heritage. Thinking we may be bombarded with numerous slides of ‘Blue Plaques’ he uniquely divided his lecture by beginning to educate us with everyday examples of the evolution of our heritage, the first, and one we will all remember, “Why the base of all pillar boxes and posts are painted black”. I was reminded of my working life at the Essex County Hospital when he mentioned  “The Hospital Arms” public house in Crouch Street which was given the nickname of Ward 9 by the Doctors, thereby  tricking the patients into thinking they were not spending their lunch break drinking ale!

 His lecture ended with a show of slides which he has collected, all local. As each one appeared on the screen we were reminded of the wealth of figures famed for their inventions who emanated from Essex and who have had a tremendous impact on our lives today. William Gilbert – pioneer of electricity; Marconi – wireless, telegraph and signal; John Constable – local artist; and Ransomes, makers of agricultural equipment and later lawnmowers including the Suffolk Punch - indeed I am still in possession of one today.  A figure, not quite so well known, was George Airy, the 19C Royal Astronomer, who, though born in Alnwick, Northumberland, preferred to spend his time with his uncle on the farm in Ipswich.  He was educated at Colchester Royal Grammar School, later taking a degree at Trinity College, Cambridge.  How many of us today stop and look at the night sky and search for stellar constellations: The Plough, or Orion’s Belt, The Hunter?

 I think we all enjoyed Keith’s lecture and I for one am going in search of some of his “Blue Plaques”.  I end my review with some examples I have photographed during these past few years while travelling around England, my favourite subject being history, and, like Keith, I am passionate about retaining our English Heritage.               

         Thirsk, Yorkshire                                                             Sidmouth, Devon                     

                                                                               Dedham Essex

 Thank you Keith.

Kate Harrison. February 14th 2010.

Kate Harrison.