Programme 2026
Tuesday 13th October 2026
An ideal partnership:
Lutyens and Jekyll
Presented by James Bolton
The last two decades of the C19th reverberated with the row amongst gardeners and architects. At a stroke, the problem was solved by the partnership between Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. A house by Lutyens with a garden by Jekyll, became an Edwardian ideal. Together they designed gardens with a strong architectural background, softened by luxuriant planting.
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 29th October 2026
Special Interest Day
The History, Art,Theatre & Scandal of Covent Garden
Presented by Simon Whitehouse
Anyone who has ever been on one of Simon’s walk-abouts around London during which he uncovers its treasures and divulges tales & titbits about its past will know this Study Day should not be missed.
This special interest day will be held at: Beech Village Hall, 1 Wellhouse Road,
Alton GU34 4AQ CLICK HERE to see directions.
Doors open at 10:00am for 10:30am start.
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Osborne, Pinter and Co; Post War British Theatre
Presented by Giles Ramsey
In 1956 British theatre audiences heard a harsh new voice in John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger". Within two years Pinter's extraordinary play "The Birthday Party"....
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Tuesday 8th December 2026
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
The story of the world-renowned Christmas carol
Presented by Peter Medhurst
The Austrian carol Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht - Silent Night, Holy Night - came into being just over 1800 years after the birth of Christ, and....
This lecture will be held at Martin Read Hall at Alton College commencing at 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm) CLICK HERE to see directions.
Programme 2027
Tuesday 12th January 2027
The Art of the Cartoonist
Presented by Harry Venning
Tuesday 9th February 2027
Larry Adler - Harmonica genius
Presented by Gary Italiaander
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 9th March 2027
Art in Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral
Presented by Nick Salmond
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 13th April 2027
Paul Klee: The German expressionist who so movingly documented his won rare fatal disease in his drawings
Presented by Alan Silman
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 11th May 2027
Who's got our Paintings?
The storey of the Public Catalogue Foundation Project
Presented by Amanda Harries
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 8th June 2027
Neoclassicism: from Revolution to Empire
Presented by Matthew Morgan
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 14th September 2027
Tintoretto Il Furioso
Presented by Julia Musgrove
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 12th October 2027
The Power and the Glory - Helena Rubinstein
Presented by Lucrezia Walker
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 9th November 2027
Monopoly
Presented by Roger Mendham
Further details will be available soon
Tuesday 14th December 2027
Shepherds Christmas
Presented by James Campbell
Further details will be available soon