Fascinating talks and adult education courses

I’m an experienced public speaker and tutor in adult education, based in Nottingham. I specialise in well-illustrated, informative and amusing talks, often with musical extracts. Some of these relate to my background in studying modern European history and politics — for a BA, and later an MA in Soviet studies at the University of London. But I’m also the author of a book on the French Cancan dance, so my other specialist area is the social history of France in the 19th century – including the events forming the background to Les Misérables.

I was interviewed about my book on the Cancan on the BBC’s Woman’s Hour in 2008, and my talk on this subject has proven very popular with groups such as Women’s Institutes, U3As and history societies. I regularly teach modern history courses in adult education and for the past 30 years I’ve also worked as an editor and proofreader of factual books, including a number on art history and fashion.

I’m an enthusiast for musical theatre of all kinds, and use musicals and operettas as a basis for studying a number of other social history topics in both my courses and my talks.

If you’re looking for someone to give a talk at one of your meetings – something a little “off the beaten track” – please get in touch on 07528 756124 or use the Contact page. A list of my talks can be found here.

My courses are listed here but if you are interested, please contact me and I can give you details of where I’ll be teaching them next. I mostly work in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, but I also occasionally teach one-day and weekend residential courses in a number of locations around the country.