Welcome to the Hull Lit & Phil Society
GUEST SPEAKER PROGRAMME 2025 / 2026 SEASON AT THE GUILDHALL, HULL
14th October 2025
My Life as an Auctioneer
Charles Hanson
Charles Hanson is one of the UK’s most recognisable auctioneers and antiques experts, best known for his charismatic appearances on BBC shows such as Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip. A trusted face in the auction world, Charles brings energy, humour and deep historical insight to every valuation and sale.
With more than two decades in the industry, Charles continues to champion the magic of antiques – the stories they tell, the craftsmanship behind them, and the thrill of discovery. Whether you are watching him on TV, attending one of his auctions, or seeing him in action at a charity gala, his passion is infectious.
21st October 2025
Donald J Trump
Tony Harris
We have seen Tony Harris as Henry VIII, Churchill and Mrs Thatcher. Now this popular speaker brings us his latest character – Donald Trump. The President will tell us his solution to all the World’s problems and how he is the best leader of the free world. Ever. Really. The best. Not fake news.
Tony’s unique blend of history and humour will give us another excellent evening.
28th October 2025
‘It’s A Girl’s Life in the Army!’
Gillian Cane
Gillian Cane is a former soldier, who was one of the earliest female recruits for that most rigorous training as an Army officer at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. She was the first woman to serve with The Royal Green Jackets, and the only woman at that time.
Gillian’s talk about her time in what was then a man’s army, also celebrates women in the services. She has been amusing audiences up and down the country with her anecdotes ever since and has written a book about it all, ‘It’s A Girls’ Life in the Army!’
4th November 2025
The Price of Friendship
Graham Lewis
Graham Lewis earned a Degree from Hull University in Philosophical Theology. Short of entering the church, he was left with limited career choice. In the end he followed a plethora of careers, including teaching and local government, and has maintained a lifelong interest in history.
His talk ‘The Price of Friendship’, about the unlikely relationship between Christopher Sykes of Brantinghamthorpe Hall and Edward, the Prince of Wales, explores the scandalous and risqué society they created.
11th November 2025
The Hidden World of Canal History and Heritage
Roger Butler
Roger Butler is a writer, photographer and lecturer and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He writes for several monthly magazines and speaks to groups and societies throughout the UK.
Roger’s talk ‘The Hidden World of Canal History and Heritage’, is a colourful introduction to our fascinating inland waterways… unusual architecture, heroic engineering, impressive lock flights, dark tunnels and lots of quirky features.
18th November 2025
The building of the Victorian model village of Saltaire, Sir Titus Salt and the lives of his workers.1850 -1876
Maria Glot
Maria Glot – in costume and character – is a well-known speaker and history guide living in Saltaire. Her presentations are entertaining, amusing and historically accurate.
Having researched every house in Saltaire and the lives of Salt’s workers, she has an original and unique take on written history.
25th November 2024
From the Pillory to the Prison Cell
Ginny Davis
Ginny Davis is a former practising barrister who has spent a lifetime in the law. Her talk charts the history of how criminals have been punished in England and Wales from the sixteenth century to the present day.
13th January 2026
my radio times
Nigel Rees
Nigel Rees says he has been ‘broadcasting-struck’ since the age of eight. In ‘my radio times’, he recounts how he held on to his ambition during a Liverpool upbringing and then at the university of Oxford, before landing his first job with Granada TV in Manchester.
In time, he became a presenter of news and current affairs programmes (Today on Radio 4, Twenty-Four Hours on World Service) as well as in arts and entertainment. He somewhat unusually combined all his presentation work with acting in comedy shows.
Eventually, it was Nigel’s mix of skills and enthusiasms that gave rise to Quote … Unquote, the radio show he devised and introduced for 46 years.
20th January 2026
All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men (and Women)
Keith Baldwin
Since Charles II landed at Dover at about noon on 25th May 1660 – a scene witnessed by Samuel Pepys – the two Regiments, The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals which together became known as ‘The Household Cavalry’ have played a unique role as the official bodyguard to The Monarch.
With some 230 black horses and 14 greys – not forgetting the 4 drum horses – the Household Cavalry not only provide a Sovereign’s Escort on all State Occasions but have become a major tourist attraction.
In his presentation ‘All the Kings’ Horses and All the Kings’ Men (and Women)’ Keith will use his unique style to answer many of the questions about The Household Cavalry.
27th January 2026
This is the road to Hull!
John Godber
John Godber provides this intriguing taster for his talk: “In 1973 Godber slashed his eye open in the All England RUFC sevens final held in Hull. In 1975 he performed as a Drag Queen at the Gulbenkian theatre. In 1977 Bouncers was premiered at Edinburgh to two people. In 1978 his version of A Clockwork Orange opened The Man in the Moon theatre in Chelsea.
In 1980 he was thrown out of Romeo and Juliet’s for wearing Hush puppies. In 1981 he met Anthony Minghella, Mike Bradwell, James Fenton and a girl from Skipton.
In 1983 he sat waiting for Danny Boyle to come out of an interview at Humberside Theatre. In the same year he met Sir Phil Redmond, wrote Grange Hill, Brookside and worked on his PhD. In 1984 he left teaching and his mining background to run Hull Truck, oh and he married the girl from Skipton”.
3rd February 2026
Are we alone?
Peter Borthwick
Peter Borthwick has had a lifelong interest in aliens and firmly believes they played a big part in our civilisation’s development. His fascinating talk comes with incredible evidence in a slide show of photographs proving once and for all that we are not alone.
The author of three books on the subject, Peter’s latest book is called ‘Just A Thought’.
10th February 2026
Writing Murder: My Journey with the Queens of Crime
Anna Beer
Why do we enjoy murder mysteries so much – and why do so many women write them so well? Journeying from the past, from Victorian bestseller Mary Elizabeth Braddon through the Golden Age greats and into the present day, Anna Beer will offer some intriguing answers and share the insights gained from her own foray into the genre.
With a string of ‘smart, funny and highly readable’ books to her name, Anna is best-known for her feisty non-fiction and Tudor scholarship. Her debut crime fiction, Death of an Englishman: an Oxford mystery, was published in 2025.
17th February 2026
Doris Day – Everybody’s Favourite Hollywood Singer and Actress
David Sibbald
As a former radio presenter and Head teacher, David Sibbald’s talks are an audiovisual treat. He gives his unique commentary on each chosen topic.
His presentation on Doris Day – everybody’s favourite Hollywood singer and actress – looks at Doris’s early dance band days, through many of her films and songs to her long retirement in California, where she had many special friends – including dogs!
24th February 2026
My Journey through India
Mark Probert
Join traveller and author Mark Probert as he recounts a remarkable five-week backpacking journey across India — undertaken with a friend, both recently retired. From Mumbai to Varanasi, the high passes of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan, this lively and often surprising adventure became the basis of his popular book ‘Journey through India’.
With a background in cartography and a lifetime of travelling for work, Mark set out to explore places he had long dreamed of. His illustrated talk is warm, funny, and inspiring — a celebration of friendship, discovery, and the power of travel to uncover amazing places and people.
Join us for our next guest lecture at hull guildhall
One hour talks, many illustrated, are given by professional speakers on a wide variety of subjects. We would be delighted to see you there and can assure you of a warm welcome.
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 as all talks start at 7.30pm prompt.
Annual subscription for this season is only £50 which covers entry into all lectures.
Registered Charity No. 507226