All lectures are at the Olney Centre from 10 am to 12 noon

DATE

SUBJECT

SPEAKER

Santiago de Compostela
The speakers' personal recollections of the 1000 kilometre pilgrimage trail from France and Germany to the cathedral of St. James in north-west Spain.

The Milton Keynes find of Roman Coins
The talk describes the finding of a hoard of coins at Milton Keynes in 2006.  The speaker, who is also a television presenter, will explain how the inscriptions on the coins were deciphered and the political messages they carry.

The Concept of Pain
A thoughtful but certainly not depressing investigation into human reactions to pain.  The speaker presents his subject in a humorous and highly interactive way and invites questions from the audience.

Family Research Worldwide: A Personal Discovery
The speaker, a former committee member of the Olney Archaeological Society, is about to publish a book on her own family history and describes her experiences while conducting the background research.

Buckingham Old Gaol and its Prisoners
The speaker, a local historian, will tell the story of the prison which was built in 1748 in a prominent position in the centre of the town, its assorted inmates, and how it now serves as a fascinating local museum.

Recent Archaeology at Stowe and its Coaching Inn
The talk will focus on recent work at Stowe, featuring the research and recording of a 1717 coaching inn located near the new visitor centre.

The Battle of Kadesh: 1275BC
The story of the clash between Rameses II of Egypt and the Hittite Empire in central Syria.  The speaker will use images from Egyptian temples and other sources to illustrate the diplomatic actions of the warring nations.

Roman Libya and North Africa
An illustrated historical tour of some of the well preserved sites in North Africa which demonstrate the power and wealth of the Roman Empire at its height.

Something Egyptian!
This entertaining and expert speaker returns to the Society again to introduce another topic from the ancient Egyptian empire.

St. Dunstan's and the Cenotaph
The speaker will use rare sets of original slides to illustrate the history of St. Dunstan's hostel for servicemen blinded in World War I and the erection of the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

Olney Archaeological Society AGM
and lecture:

I'm Not Really Old - It's These Trousers!
A light hearted end to the lecture season.

Summer Tea

Northamptonshire Murders and Mysteries
Intriguing tales to ponder as the autumn nights draw in...

In Search of the "Ravenstone Princess"
An account of the 1978 excavation of the local Bronze Age Beaker burial at Ravenstone by the Senior Keeper of Archaeology at Hampshire Museum Service.

Famous People of Bedford
The life and times of the town's best known personalities, including John Bunyan and John Howard, by the Mayor's Officer for Bedford

The Discovery of a Medieval Manor
The owner of Prebendal Manor near Oundle talks about the house and the award-winning recreation of its gardens.

Christmas Past in Northampton
A seasonal talk with perhaps some ideas for your own forthcoming celebrations

Wrest Park
The speaker from English Heritage describes the recent restoration of the magnificent gardens and the new visitor centre

Historic Churches of Northamptonshire
A tour of some of the best loved and lesser known architectural gems in the county

"Elizabeth, Tudor Housewife"
The speaker dons period costume and uses historic artefacts to describe the daily life of the gentry and their servants around 1552.

2013

The Adventures of Prince Rupert of the Rhine
A lively account of the life of Charles 1st 's nephew, who was by turns soldier, admiral and scientist between 1619 and 1682.

Medieval Villages of Milton Keynes
The speaker, a former Blue Badge guide, reveals the older aspects of Britain's newest city.

A Grand Canyon Adventure
A journey through the history of the American West

Bellerophon, Prince of Lycia
The tale of the mythological Greek hero who slayed the fire-breathing monster Chimera in a region of modern Turkey which still has eternal fires.

Deene Park
A talk about the house and its owners since 1514, the Brudenell family, whose ancestors include the Earl of Cardigan of Light Brigade fame.

Roman Town Planning
A grand tour of the Roman Empire and its cities, ending up in Verulamium, by a former head of education at the Museum of London.

"Life with my father, Eric Morecambe"
Humorous anecdotes about growing up in Harpenden with one of Britain's best-loved comedians

The History of Medicine
Dr. Maisey returns by popular demand to give another of his entertaining and thought-provoking talks about medical progress.