Each illustrated PowerPoint presentation lasts 40 – 45 minutes allowing for questions.
Talks are delivered using a laptop and projector at your venue, or to your members at home using Zoom.
Lecture fee £50.00
Janet trained as a teacher, and up until taking retirement in 2010 was employed for over 12 years as a Training Services Manager for the charity Arthritis Care. Her role was training volunteers, staff and health professionals enabling her to perfect her skills of PowerPoint presentations.
Since retirement, she has developed a series of PowerPoint presentations around Royal love affairs, weddings and scandals. Janet’s interest in the ‘Royals’ began after the Queen’s visit to Plymouth in 1962. Her highlight was meeting Her Majesty the Queen at an award ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2006. She also provides well-researched talks about the fascinating lives of other famous people.
She is an excellent speaker and has a wealth of experience of presenting to cruise ship passengers, various TWGs, WIs, Probus, U3A’s, Lord Mayors, church and women’s groups, and at international conferences. She has been awarded the ‘Plymouth Citizen of the Year’ and the ‘Plymouth Women of Achievement’ Community award.
Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 21, Janet has benefited from seven joint replacement operations. Through 40 plus years she has overcome the difficulties caused by her disability, to become a positive role model and a respected expert in arthritis self/pain management.
In 2004, Janet’s Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship research led to her co-writing the internationally recognised and researched ‘Challenging Pain’ training programme.
TALKS for 2021
FABERGÉ AND THE RUSSIA ROYALS
My presentation reveals the turbulent lives of Empress Marie of Russia (Queen Alexandra’s sister), and her son the ill-fated Tsar Nicholas II who along with his wife five children and servants were assassinated by the Bolsheviks in 1918. My story reveals their close connection with Fabergé the famous Russian jeweller, who crafted many fabulous Fabergé Eggs for the Imperial Family. I show many images of his remarkable expertise.
AMERICA’S EARLY BRITISH SETTLERS
My talk was prepared for the 400th anniversary of the departure of the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth; my talk also covers the first British Colony set up in 1585 by Walter Raleigh. This was followed by a settlement in Virginia in 1607 associated with Pocahontas. Finally in 1620, after a 66-day crossing, the Pilgrim Fathers landed in Plymouth Massachusetts, providing the USA’s national Thanksgiving celebration each November.
‘MRS RONNIE’ – THE ROYAL MATCHMAKER
With Princess Eugenie wearing a Mrs Ronnie Greville emerald tiara for her wedding there is renewed interest in the British Monarchy. Cecil Beaton said that “Mrs Ronnie was a snobbish old toad, who watered her chops at the sight of Royalty.” She was born illegitimate, but eventually she inherited her father’s fortune. Through her wealth & marriage she moved in elite circles, entertaining politicians, ambassadors and Royalty at her home Polesden Lacey, providing lots of gossip! This complex, scheming lady collected people as obsessively as she collected Cartier jewellery and Fabergé, and left her extensive jewellery collection to the Queen Mother in 1942.
THE MYSTERY OF THE ROYAL LETTERS
A fascinating overview of my investigation into five unsigned, undated letters written on notepaper from different Royal residences. My story is supported through many images of Royalty, staff, people, and places with Royal connections who are mentioned in the letters. There is a very exciting conclusion to my research. My book ‘The Royal Letters Mystery’ tells the whole story.
THE ROYAL JEWELLERY ALPHABET
2018 saw two Royal weddings and a State Banquet which has provided material to keep my talk fresh and up to date. The alphabet is told through many fascinating pictorial images, from pre-Victoria to the present day. I explain the provenance of the Queen’s and other younger Royal Family members’ magnificent jewellery collection of brooches, necklaces, bracelets, tiaras, and I show images of the occasions when these fabulous items were worn.
PETS BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT
NEW FOR 2021
Throughout my talk I discover the Royals association with animals from the stories about the Ravens at The Tower of London and the menagerie that was kept there in the 1300s. During her childhood Princess Victoria’s King Charles Spaniel, Dash was her constant companion. Her children loved dogs, and this connection continues to the present day, with our Queen’s love of Corgis and horses.
BRUNEL’S SOUTH WEST LEGACY
Brunel’s name is linked to Victorian ingenuity, and he was one of the most successful British engineers. His legacy is remembered across the country, though many are unaware that several of Brunel’s best achievements are here in Plymouth and the South West of England. His inventions continue to fascinate us to this day, and have inspired many to take up engineering.
BORN TO BE KING - STILL WAITING FOR THE CROWN
021 sees 52 years since Prince Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales at Carnarvon Castle in Wales. His great-great-grandfather Edward was Prince of Wales for over 59 years before becoming King Edward VII. My presentation follows the accession to the British throne looking at the life of Prince Charles, his childhood, relationships, marriages, divorce, and his role as the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in history.
THE LIFE OF J.F.K.
Many remember where they were when they heard the tragic news that President Kennedy had been assassinated on 22nd November 1963 in Dallas, Texas. His life is told through many images and photographs, which show his marriage to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, his family life, career and alleged affairs. His enduring legacy continues to this day.
A WINDSOR ROYAL FAMILY SCANDAL
This intriguing love affair between Edward, Prince of Wales, and the American divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson shook the very foundations of our British Monarchy shaping our history as we know it today. Historical images and photographs of the time describe their liaison, his abdication, their wedding day, and their subsequent life together as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor until their deaths.
THE DAY I MET THE QUEEN
My presentation follows the procedures that I had to follow on the memorable day when receiving my Winston Churchill Medallion at Buckingham Palace from HM Queen Elizabeth. I share interesting facts about the Royals, Sir Winston Churchill and his family, and the history of the Palace, by showing photographs.
THREE ROYAL WEDDINGS and A ROYAL FUNERAL
These events are shown through a wide variety of old postcards and historic paintings and photographs. I show images from the weddings of Prince Albert to Queen Victoria, King Edward VII to Queen Alexandra, King George V to Queen Mary and the funeral of King Edward VII in 1910 was one of the largest gatherings of European Royalty ever
ROYAL CHILDREN and those who shaped their future lives
My comprehensive research is told through many photographs and postcards showing nannies, tutors, and governesses, who influenced the lives of British Royal children through the generations from Queen Victoria to the present day.
A ROYAL LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE ISLE OF WIGHT
This presentation covers Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s love of Osborne House, their holiday home on the Isle of Wight and rural retreat for their growing family. My images show the construction of the House, and the events which took place there and beyond up until Queen Victoria’s death at Osborne in January 1901.
DEVON’S ROYAL VISITORS
A pictorial look at the numerous visits to Devon by the Royal Family from William IV and Queen Victoria to the present day. My PowerPoint presentation includes interesting historical facts about the Royals and the events and places that they visited.
THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ... ISLE OF WIGHT
Through old postcards, I show how this famous Isle of Wight legend originated. We travel around the Island through images that show interesting information about the many places, famous people, and Royalty associated with the Island.
CELEBRATING THE QUEEN’S DEDICATION TO DUTY
The Queen’s long life is told through an eclectic mix of photographs and postcards of events (many with a connection to the Plymouth area) that have occurred during her long reign. Will you remember the important events which have occurred since her birth over 95 years ago?
MANAGING THE PAIN OF ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is sadly the most common cause of disability in the UK. My presentation is interactive and provides the audience with helpful information about the main types of arthritis, and offers tips and proven techniques for pain relief including exercise, diversion, relaxation, and types of breathing exercises.
Thank you for your interest.
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