Letters to Mother - Tuesday 19 March 2019
Former Princethorpe Deputy-Head, Margaret Louise O’Keeffe returns by popular request to present an illustrated talk Letters to Mother on Tuesday 19 March 2019 at 7.30pm.
As Mothering Sunday falls on the last day of March this year, it seemed a fitting tribute to mothers to reflect on their sacrifice during the First World War. Some mothers lost all their sons in the conflict; all mothers were affected by what their beloved sons had endured.
For many soldiers dying in hospital or on the battlefields, their last words concerned their mothers. Men relied on supportive letters from their families and found solace in memories of maternal love, warmth and protection as they faced the horrors of industrialised warfare.
In their letters home, they usually presented a positive image of life on active service to avoid causing anxiety. Poignantly, before a major battle when the chances of survival were slim, many wrote touching farewell notes expressing gratitude and love.
This illustrated talk will focus on eleven people whose letters provide a moving insight into the enduring power and comfort of love.
Please click here for a booking form.
Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856-1925) - Tuesday 21 May 2019
On Tuesday 21 May at 7.30pm former Princethorpe Foundation Archivist, Dr Nick Baker, returns to present another illustrated talk Sir Henry Rider Haggard: Storyteller, Politician and Country Gentleman.
Sir Henry Rider Haggard was only one of many extraordinary Victorians who straddled many different lives. Inspired by his first-hand experiences of Africa, he went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time, specialising in ‘Lost World’ literature. Works such as King Solomon’s Mines and She communicated stories of lost civilisations in far off lands, and brought much needed escapism to a reading public. He did not limit himself to tales set in Africa, but also wrote about the Vikings in Iceland. Many of these stories have since been transformed into successful films. Who can forget Ursula Andress as ‘She who must be obeyed’ in the Hammer film of the same name? Haggard did more than simply feed the popular imagination. He was deeply concerned with the countryside, especially the farming communities in Norfolk, and argued for a more serious approach to Britain’s agriculture as the clouds of the First World War appeared on the horizon.
This illustrated talk will examine Haggard’s early life in Africa, and loves lost, to show how they shaped his literary output. We will also consider his close friendships with other notable individuals, such as Rudyard Kipling. A display of first editions and signed material will also be on display.
Please click here for booking form.
Organ Recital - Tuesday 2 July 2019
Once again on Tuesday 2 July 2019 at 7.30pm in the Chapel Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres on the renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901. This year promises a special programme to mark twenty-five years of the popular Hugh Page Memorial Organ Recitals.
Please click here for a booking form.
Tickets - £5.00 for each of the events including refreshments. All Foundation pupils free of charge.
