Directory of Speakers

Millie Barnes

Millie is a retired nurse who discovered an interest in health and wellbeing in retirement. She has put her own diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes into remission 9 years ago and kept it there ever since with lifestyle changes. She is now 2.5 stone lighter than she was all her adult life. She has more energy now in her 60’s than she did in her 40’s or 50’s.

She is a member of The Public Health Collaboration, a charity dedicated to informing and implementing healthy decisions for better public health.
She supports a Primary Care Diabetic team with their Patient Support Group called Eat Real Food in Gloucester.
She runs courses on Lifestyle Health.

Talk Title:

• How I put my Type 2 Diabetes into remission with lifestyle.

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 07810 677673
Email: milliebarnes20@gmail.com

In Person Cost: £0, travel expenses only

Vanessa Berridge

Formerly a former magazine editor and freelance journalist, I am now a garden historian and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Talk Title:
• Kiftsgate Court Gardens: Three Generations of Women Gardeners
This lavishly illustrated talk tells the story of a great English garden that has been created and tended by three generations of women from the same family
• National Garden Scheme & The Gardens of Gloucestershire
This illustrated talk describes the history of the charity and its beneficiaries, and offers a virtual tour of gardens in Gloucestershire.
• Great British Gardeners
This illustrated talk traces the development of British gardening over four centuries through the fascinating lives of some of the main players
• Garden Heaven: Inspiration and Escapism for every Gardener
This talk, with colourful images, introduces some of the UK’s best gardens and shows you how to pick up tips for your own garden

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: The Gate, 80 North Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5PS
Telephone: 01242 609535
Email: vanessa.berridge@sky.com

In Person Fee: £100 (plus mileage @ 45p per mile)

Nick Brunger

Nick is an award-winning magician and storyteller who specializes in all kinds of mystical performances. Clients have included the National Trust and English Heritage as well as touring arts schemes and festivals in both England and Wales. He is an active member of both the Cotswold Magical Society and the Bristol Society of Magic.

Talk Title:
• Magic – Nick provides a number of different performances with magical/storytelling themes ranging from demonstrations of mind-reading, local stories illustrated with magic, conjuring for entertainment and tales of ghosts.
• New talk available shortly “The Agatha Christie Mysteries”!

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 9 David Butt Close, Great Oldbury, Stonehouse, GL10 3FN
Telephone: 07752 438901
Email: magicianandstoryteller@gmail.com
Website: www.nickbrunger.com
In Person Fee: £90 plus travel expenses

GILLIAN CAnE

Gillian was among the first women to train as an officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and then was the first woman to serve with the Royal Green Jackets. At the time she was also the only woman to serve with this crack infantry regiment, which she grew to love. She went on to be the first woman to serve on the Alliance Internationale de Tourism Management Committee where she was thrown out of a meeting in Paris by the President of the FIA for being a woman! After all that she married and had two wonderful children and served as a Director of the Army and Navy Club London. She has also been lucky enough to work at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. Gillian has been giving talks based on her experiences for a number of years now.

Talk Titles:
• The Miracle of Bletchley Park
• Those Mitford Sisters
• It’s A Girl’s Life in the Army!
• Bletchley Park Part 2: The Colossal Secret
• A Tour of the Bodleian Library
• Coleshill, the Nerve Centre of British Resistance

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 28 New Yatt Road, Witney, OX28 1NZ
Telephone: 07505 393 242
Email: gilliancrcane@gmail.com
In Person Fee: £75.00 plus contribution to mileage (negotiable for smaller groups)

Ged Cassell

I have a lifelong interest in wildlife and the natural environment, archaeology and travel. I love to share my passions and my talks are fun and informal, but also stimulating and thought-provoking.

Talk Titles:
• Butterflies of Gloucestershire
• Dragonflies of Gloucestershire
• The Galapagos, Darwin and Evolution
• Ancient Egypt

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 19 Wards Road, Up Hatherley, Cheltenham, GL51 6JN
Telephone: 07854 817782
Email: dandg51@btinternet.com
In Person Fee: £75 including travel expenses
Online Talk: £75

PHIL COLLINS

Phil has been delivering engaging talks to groups and organisations for over 14 years, covering a wide range of topics. Known for his lively and dynamic approach, he brings energy and enthusiasm to every presentation, making learning both enjoyable and insightful. With a talent for connecting with diverse audiences Phil ensures each talk is not only informative but is also full of fun and inspiration.

Talk Title:
• A History of Pantomime
• Sudeley Castle (A Royal History)
• Innsignia (A history of pubs and pub names)
• The story of the Two Ronnies
and other talks.
.
Please contact for further details.

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 22 Kingsmead Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0AJ
Telephone: 07815 852153
Email: pcolhead@gmail.com
In Person Fee: To be agreed on enquiry
Online Talk: £60

Paul Evans

My “Talk” is more in the form of an entertainment through the medium of Poems, Readings and Monologues, mostly of a humorous nature! I have been giving these talks since 2009 and have a large variety of material to put together for an hour’s amusement, including a Christmas Programme. Most of my material is light-hearted and humorous and will take you back to your childhood years and younger life.

Talk Title:

• Humorous Poems, Readings and Monologues

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 01454 294826 or 07585 279055
Email: paul-evans22@sky.com

In Person Fee: £60 inclusive of travel

Monica Farthing

National Star is a charity that supports young people with complex disabilities from across the UK through the provision of education, care and therapies. Hear how the charity supports each student to develop the skills they need to be as independent as possible into adulthood.

Talk Title:

• National Star – a charity supporting people from your local community

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 01242 524478
Email: fundraising@nationalstar.org

In Person Fee: £50 plus mileage

Mike & Rachel FenTON

Mike is a music veteran of 30 years’ road experience and is also an ex-headteacher. He is known as the UK’s foremost autoharp enthusiast and is also a member of the Autoharp Hall of Fame in the USA. Rachel is a ceramic artist and illustrator who is devoted to the mountain dulcimer. The programme features an eclectic selection of songs and tines with plenty of opportunity for audience participation. A unique feature is an opportunity for interested members to “have a go” on the instruments, they bring extra instruments for this purpose. They really enjoy the strong singing tradition that exists in the WI.

Mike is also a railway author with several popular railway/social history lecture presentations which would be of special interest to WIs in the Stroud / Chalford area.

Talk Titles:
• Autoharp and Dulcimer Delight

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: Three Chords, 3 Berrington Drive, Bodenham, Hereford, HR1 3JH
Telephone: 01568 797239
Email: fen.lonesomedove9@gmail.com
In Person Fee: £80 plus travel expenses

GEMMA FLETCHER

Imagine a beauty routine that feeds your skin with nature’s most nutritious ingredients, delivers visible clinical results, protects the planet, and funds good causes. Wouldn’t that be magical? Actually, it’d be Tropic. We’re one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty companies, reshaping the industry with multi-award-winning products that are both ethical and effective.

Talk Title:
• Introduction to Tropic Skincare including demonstration of their products and free guided facials/consultations

Contact and Fee Details:
Telephone: 07577 760783
Email: gemmajanefletcher@yahoo.co.uk
Website: https://tropicskincare.com/

In Person Fee: Free of charge
On Line talk: Free of charge

Frances Fry

Talk Title:
• ‘Music, Musicals and Me’ – Inspiring songs and stories from a struggling West End Actress.
• ‘Music, Musicals and Amore’ – songs and stories behind some of our most popular love songs.
• Music, Musicals and a Merry Christmas’ – A fun and festive entertainment sharing some of our most enduring and loved Christmas songs.
• Music & Musicals done your way! – A tailored cabaret for any special event or occasion you may be celebrating. Prices will vary depending on requirements and preparation required, please call to discuss.

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 24 Northwick Road, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 3AN
Email: t.coombs2@btinternet.com
Website: www.francesfry.com

In Person Fee: Prices start from £80 for mid-week afternoon – groups up to 30 plus mileage over 20 miles. Larger groups and evenings negotiable.

Angela Thiselton

I work for Gloucestershire Nightstop and I look after the volunteers. My talk will show how the Nightstop service provides a safe and boundaried way of providing emergency accommodation for young people who find themselves homeless. I will talk about why young people become homeless and explain what services we offer at Nightstop that break this cycle of homelessness and prepare the young people for independent life in the future. We also make sure that all the young people on our books don’t leave us until we have made sure they have safe accommodation to go to. I will explain how your members can get involved by donating or becoming volunteer hosts or drivers.

Talk Title:
• Gloucestershire Nightstop – Helping Prevent Youth Homelessness in Gloucestershire

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 13 Ladybellegate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2HN
Telephone: 01452 331330
Email: volunteering@glosns.uk
In Person Fee: £60

SARA GRAY

Ex-teacher, including private speech and drama teaching. LAMDA Licentiate, acting diploma – LALAM. Extensive (sadly unpaid) performance experience and a delight in sharing the joy and interest that theatre can bring to our lives.

Talk Titles:
• “He’s Behind You”. The story of how pantomime began and how it came to England – with a host of extraordinary characters and magical performances. We look back at rival theatres and famous stars and see how characters and costumes have been reinvented. We join the audience on the night Jack and the Beanstalk made pantomime history and journey with Cinderella into the 20th century.
• The extraordinary early history of The Theatre Royal Bristol, its highs and lows, heroes and villains. From a riot at ‘the hut on Brandon Hill’, a secret door, predictions of idleness and debauchery and a gate-crashed funeral, to an elephant, a duel and of course a ghost. All this and more in just its first eighty years.

Contact and Fee Information:
Address: 85 Gloucester Road, Malmesbury, SN16 0AJ
Telephone: 01666 823979 or 07775 567349
Email: sara.gray@tiscali.co.uk
In Person Fee: £60 plus £0.25p travel expenses

Kay Grey

A talk about the Calico Dress and how you can be a part of the project. The theme for the decoration of the dress is No More Violence Against Women. I can include a practical aspect to the talk as well if required.

Talk Title:

• Gloucestershire Calico Dress

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 07766 707092
Email: creativekaytextiles@gmail.com

In Person Fee: £45 to help fund the project

Margaret C. Jones

Margaret’s illustrated PowerPoint talks are based on her biographies of remarkable women who challenged convention and made a difference in their world. Margaret has published with Bloomsbury, with Pen & Sword and the University of Texas Press. She has taught in the USA, in Egypt, and at the University of the West of England. She loves travelling, and engaging with live audiences.

Talk Titles:
• ‘Mary Richards: A Black Spy in the Confederate White House’
• Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians – Warrior Queen, Founder of Midlands Towns
• Amelia B. Edwards – Traveller, Feminist, Trailblazer for Ancient Egypt

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 16 Grove Park Road, Stroud, GL5 1SW
Telephone: 07802 321839 (Text messages only)
Email: jonesmargaretc@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.contactanauthor.co.uk
In Person Fee: £50
Online Talk: £30

Janine Kilroe

Janine Kilroe is a professional Fine Art Photographer gaining her Photography degree in 1985. She has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and is also a Public Speaker delivering a wide range of talks and workshops. She lives in Oxfordshire.  As a photographer she has worked and travelled for many major international companies such as: Shell, The National Trust and The British Tourist Board. She has taught Photography and IT in University’s, Colleges and for 8 years in various Prisons.
Achievement Highlights: Exhibited at The Royal Academy Summer Show, Saatchi Gallery, London. The Royal West Academy Bristol twice plus many other galleries and Art Shows throughout the UK and Europe.  Including two solo exhibitions and artist in residencies at Derwent Pencil Museum, Keswick, Heritage Centre Hassocks and a three-group exhibition “Alternative Views” at West Oxford Art Society.  Her photography has been reviewed in and featured on the front cover of The British Journal of Photography, EOS Magazine, Cotswold Life, and The Oxford Times.
Her signature artwork is: To print black and white fine art photographs onto watercolour paper, then selectively reintroduce colour back into the image by hand painting using watercolour pencils and washes.
Current projects: Film photography book projects

Talk Titles:
• Working With Some of the Most Dangerous Men in the Country. 7 Years Inside!
• Camera Club/ Beginner Photography
• Phone Photography
• A Photographers tale 30 Years in the Business

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 1 Benson Close, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 4FQ
Telephone: 07882 033919
Email: info@janinekilroe.com
Website: www.janinekilroe.com for full talks list
In Person Fee: £75 plus £0.60 per mile travel expenses
Online Talk: £75

Jeanne Long

Founder of Happy Handbag – helping women and families in need through local Service Providers. This talk explains the idea behind, and delivery of, Happy Handbag with its Gloucester roots. Donated handbags are filled with toiletries (many donated – some purchased) and, along with bags of donated clothing items (underwear is always in demand) create Happy Handbag(s) and Happy(s). Every Handbag given out contains shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste/brush, deodorant, shower gel and sanitary wear. Donated items waiting to be processed are temporarily stored in Big Yellow Self Storage, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester – without whose support it would be impossible to be as productive as we are – covering Service Providers in Gloucester, Bristol, Swindon, Bridgwater and Newport.

The Reiki Connection – what are complementary therapies – what is Reiki? Reiki for self-development; Reiki in hospitals and hospices. Which complementary therapies have a Government approved system of voluntary self-regulation?

Talk Titles:
• Happy Handbag – helping women in crisis situations
• Perspectives on Reiki & Complementary Therapies
• Fun Astrology – character/personality ‘through the stars”
• Astrology – explaining ‘astrology/sun signs’

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 53 Frampton End Road, Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2JY
Telephone: 07748 185491
Email: jeanne@connect2reiki.co.uk
Website: www.thegentletouch.co.uk
www.happyhandbag.co.uk
www.reikiconnection.co.uk
In Person Fee: Suggested Donation of £50 (to purchase the toiletries)
Travel costs – these are waivered as groups regularly bring along items to fill the bags. Daytime and evening talks.  However during the winter months evening talks are available in Gloucester & South Glos only

Chris Mapp

From the late 1860s until 1939, over 100,000 British orphan and destitute children were sent to Canada to work, mostly as agricultural labourers or domestic servants. Taken from the streets or ‘rescued’ from the slums and workhouses of Britain, they were shipped across the Atlantic by an array of individuals and organisations, often leaving behind parents and siblings that they would never see again. The vast majority never returned to Britain and more than 10% of Canada’s current population is said to be descended from them. They are known as the ‘British Home Children’ and my father was one such child.

My talk tells the story of these children: why this movement started and became so widespread; how the children were selected and their experience once they reached Canada; portraits of some of the characters that were involved; highlighting where the story still has some relevance today. I will also share the story of my father’s remarkable life as a Home Child.

During my working life, I was often called upon to deliver talks and presentations to a wide variety of audiences, so I am an experienced public speaker. Now retired, I am able to bring the voices of these forgotten children back to life.

Talk Title:

• ‘The Home Children – Britain’s lost children’

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 07785 713400
Email: chrismapp.aut@gmail.com
Website: https://www.chrismapp.com

In Person Fee: £50 plus travel expenses

Brian Miller-Hall

I have been keeping bees for 16 years and am a member of Herefordshire Beekeepers and Newent Beekeepers Associations and hold a British Beekeeping Association qualification. My talk on bees and beekeeping I have given to various groups all over Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire in the last four years, which I am pleased to say has been well received. The general comment being the talk was entertaining and informative.
My presentation is called The Honey Bee and Beekeeping for projecting on a screen. The idea of the talk is to give a lay person an insight into the life of the honey bee and beekeeping, keeping it light without going into too much detail. I usually hold a Q&A afterwards and this is when the interesting (and sometimes difficult) questions are asked. The talk and Q&A last generally one hour but it can tailor accordingly.”

Talk Title:
• The Honey Bee and Beekeeping

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: Follys End, Brampton Abbotts, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford
Telephone: 07810 850069
Email: millerhallb@gmail.com
In Person Fee: £65 plus £0.40 per mile travel expense

Eric Moore

Eric provides engaging talks on a wide range of subjects, mostly based on his own experiences and travels, as well as some historical subjects. His enthusiasm and humour help make his talks interesting and engaging.

Talk Title:

• The Cotswold Way
• Everest – The Ultimate Trek
• Borneo in four stages
• Walking Hadrian’s Wall and a number of other talks, please contact for details.

Contact and Fee Details:

Telephone: 01242 694389 / 07712 468739
Email: TBC

In Person Fee: £50 including travel expenses in Gloucestershire

Josephine Murray

Josephine Murray is a literary translator, translating books from French to English, a journalist and was Visiting Fellow in the Archives and Collections at the University of East Anglia 2024-2025, where she studied the archive of Patricia Crampton. Josephine has extensive experience of delivering talks to schools, universities and a variety of organisations.
Her talk is about British literary translator Patricia Crampton (1925-2016), who began her career aged 21, translating documents at the Nuremberg War trials. She later translated 250 children’s books and 50 adult books from seven different languages, winning multiple translation awards. She championed children’s literature and campaigned for translators’ rights.  Crampton’s translations of children’s books by Dick Bruna, for example Miffy the Bunny, Astrid Lindgren (creator of Pippi Longstocking), Paul Biegel and Alf Proysen (creator of Mrs Pepperpot) helped make these authors globally successful. Yet Crampton is unknown outside the field of literary translation.  Josephine’s presentation incorporates Patricia Crampton’s own words from documents in her archive at UEA and interviews with the Imperial War Museum to paint a picture of the woman described by the International Federation of Translators as a “freedom fighter, risk taker and forger of the future.”

Talk Title:
• Patricia Crampton: (1925-2016): life and work of a literary translator, from the Nuremberg War Trials to Miffy the Bunny.

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: The Old Off Licence, Westrip, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6HA
Telephone: 07866 758389
Email: murray_josephine@hotmail.com
In Person Fee: £65 plus £0.45 per mile travel expense
On Line talk: £55

ANITA NEWTON

Anita left her job as a chemistry teacher to look after her husband when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. She has many interests including writing, arts and crafts and various sporting activities.

The talk describes her experience of caring for someone with MND and how she built a life for herself after her husband’s passing, including her fund-raising efforts for MNDA. The talk aims to raise awareness of MND as well as give an insight into what it is like to care for someone with the disease.

Anita also talks about her book ‘The Under Tree Folk’ . The book is being sold to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) . 

Talk Title:

• Living with MND and life after loss. My MND journey.
  

Contact and Fee Details:

Address: 56 Lavender Close, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1UL
Phone Number: 07790 813247
Email: anitan2020@outlook.com

In Person Cost: £60

Ben Nicholls

I have been researching my own family history since 2001. My paternal grandfather was a shadowy figure who died long before my birth and one day I realised that he represented a quarter of me that I knew nothing about. My journey started with my grandfather’s birth certificate. I have been on many journeys back through the centuries to the Middle Ages. I have travelled on a tide of documents and stories across Europe and traced pioneers across far flung exotic lands. I have met some truly wonderful characters in my personal history journey. Their colourful stories have thoroughly enriched my personal sense of identity, and I’m sure that embarking on a similar journey through time will do the same for you and your family too!

Talks Titles:
• The Devil’s Daughter and Me
• Finding my Grandad’s Global Family
• My Noble Ancestors and Other Tall Stories

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 1 Donna Nook Lane, Kingsway, Gloucestershire, GL2 2EN
Telephone: 07860 607580
Email: ben@footstepsfamily.co.uk
Website: www.footstepsfamily.co.uk
In Person Fee: £75
On Line talk: £75

Stephen Rowley

Stephen Rowley is an experienced and entertaining speaker and workshop leader. Starting out in science and engineering, he worked first in the oilfield, then on designing the internet, before switching to the arts and history. He has a special interest in folk traditions and local history.

Talk Titles:
• In Comes I… The story of the Christmas Mummers Play in Gloucestershire. With audience participation.
• An A to Z of Music. Stephen performs on his weird and wonderful collections of instruments.
• The Creation Tapestry. We are transported to Girona in Spain to discover a remarkable tapestry from C11th.
• Gloucestershire Folk and Fairy Tales. This county has a rich heritage of stories. Not all are meant for children.
• Spangles and Bells – The surprising history of morris dancing.
• Wonder Working Wire – Charles Wheatstone, inventor, born in Gloucester
• The Dragon, The Jackdaw and The Giant – Exploring the Spanish Fiesta
• Sashiko – Japanese needlework (workshop also available)
• Gloucestershire Christmas Customs and Carols
• Wassail, Wassail – the Story of the Gloucestershire Wassail

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: Tanronen, Lurks Lane, Pitchcombe, Stroud, GL6 6LL
Telephone: 07803 052723 or 01453 763181
Email: steve@artension.com
Website: www.artension.com
In Person Fee: £75 plus travel expenses 45p/mile from Stroud
On Line talk £75

PROFESSOR COLIN TERRELL

Professor Colin Terrell is a retired Consultant Psychologist who has worked in a range of clinical settings, including Harley Street, Nuffield Hospital Oxford, and Nuffield Hospital Cheltenham.  

He now delivers engaging, informative, and often humorous talks designed especially for audiences in later middle age and retirement. His talks are clear, jargon-free, and full of practical ideas and positive insights.  

He has spoken to a wide range of organisations including Probus Clubs, Women’s Institutes, U3A groups, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Round Tables, business groups, and GP training events.
.

Talk Title:

• Keeping Your Brain Healthy After 60: Simple, enjoyable, and practical ways to keep your mind active explained clearly, without medical jargon, and with plenty of humour.
• Over 65? How the World Has Improved in Our Lifetime: A positive and often surprising look at how life has changed for the better—full of memories, reflections, and gentle humour.
• Bad News Dominates… But Good News Keeps Happening: A light-hearted and uplifting exploration of the many positive changes in our lifetime that rarely make the headlines.

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: 1 St Jude’s Walk Cheltenham, GL53 7RU
Telephone: 07710 000 276
Email: cterrell@glos.ac.uk

In person fee: If your organisation normally pays a speaker fee, any contribution will be donated to the national charity Maggie’s.  Maggie’s supports people when cancer turns life upside down, helping them regain control through expert guidance on everything from treatment side effects to financial concerns.

VinOtopia

Mothers Ruin – The History of Gin and understanding its roots within the British culture from Holland to London and from India to Manhattan, how Gin has taken over the world and evolved over time.

Sparkling Wine – In the words of Dom Perignon ‘I am drinking the stars. Was the blind Benedictine monk the first person to create sparkling wine? Explaining and decoding the differences between Champagne, crémant, prosecco and cava and why English sparkling wine is the one to watch!

Wines from around the world. Explaining grape varieties and in which countries and regions they are best suited to and how they produce different wines styles in different regions of the world. Where to get the best value wines and where wine investment is strongest, understanding how to read a wine label and what to look for when.

Talk Title:
• Mothers Ruin (The history and a talk about the wonderful world of Gin)
• Understanding Sparkling Wine – Champagne, Crémant, Prosecco and English Sparkling
• Wines from around the World
• Wine Tasting from – £20 per person to include 6 wines / Gin Tasting – £20 per person to include 4 gins, tonics and garnish

Contact and Fee Details:
Address: Andy Cole, Vinotopia Wine Merchants, Unit 61, Nailsworth Mills Estate, Nailsworth, GL6 0BS
Telephone: 07767 636978
Email: andy@vinotopiawine.co.uk
Website: www.vinotopiawine.co.uk

In Person Fee: £75.00 plus travel expenses where applicable