A synopsis of our current talks can be found by clicking here. This section tells you more about how each talk came about, what they cover, and shares some of our testimonials.
KELWAYS
One of our earliest and our most popular talk to date is Kelways: the roots of success. A keen gardener herself, Janet was given access to the archives of Kelways of Langport, one of the most historic and world-famous horticultural nurseries. These records included catalogues dating back to the 1880s. Her research was published in 2011 to mark the 160th anniversary of the founding of the business, as ‘Kelway’s Glorious’: the story of a pioneering Somerset nursery. She now holds the impressive (if unpaid!) position of Kelways Official Historian.
We’ve given this talk many times, often to gardening societies, but also to family history, local history and general groups. Kelways is such a well-known name, not only in the Langport and Somerset area, but world-wide, that there is widespread interest in the story of how they became so successful. We often have in our audiences people who used to work for them, or have friends or relatives who did. When they tell us their stories, it adds a lot to the event and also to our knowledge.
“We all thoroughly enjoyed your talk” (Royal British Legion Club, Street, 2014)
“A fascinating story with interesting people. A very enjoyable evening, well illustrated.” (West Bagborough Garden Club, Feb 2023)
BAGEHOT
Walter Bagehot: Langport’s international celebrity is also in great demand. Walter Bagehot (1826-1877) is often quoted as a wise commentator on banking and financial matters, and is still regarded as an authority on constitutional matters, especially the role of the monarch (as seen in the Netflix hit show, The Crown). Nevertheless, few people know much about his life and how his Somerset roots shaped his thinking and his writing. Barry and Janet were instrumental in founding the Bagehot Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to commemorating his life, work and legacy in Langport and more widely. The Fund is now incorporated into the Langport & District History Society. As well as describing Bagehot’s life, work and legacy, our talk examines the work to commemorate Bagehot, in his home town, and beyond.
“Thank you very much for the talk last night. You put it most clearly and really built a good picture of the man. It was evident you have done painstakingly thorough research on all the facts, which may be just as well as we had a few lawyers in the audience.” (Martock Local History Group, 2018)
“I thoroughly enjoyed your talk which provided such a fine summary of the life, work and importance of Walter Bagehot. As you rightly said, so few people know about him and if they do their knowledge is limited to his description of the constitution. I was one of the latter. I am really pleased to have a fuller appreciation of the man. I would also congratulate you on your lucid and relaxed speech. Your slides were excellent.” (Historical Association, Taunton, 2025)
GREAT BOW WHARF
This talk, Great Bow Wharf Langport: a historic trading hub, started out as a history of the building itself – its rise to prominence, its decline and its modern renaissance. However, it soon broadened out into an explanation of Langport’s strategic trading position on the River Parrett and the prosperity that its waterborne trade brought, largely through the important firm of Stuckey & Bagehot. The story includes the surprisingly key role of the Midlands salt trade to Langport; the foundation of the influential Stuckey’s Bank out of the trading business; the dangerous life of the Parrett boatmen; the improvements made to the Parrett Navigation, including the involvement of the great IK Brunel himself, and the demise of the trade with the coming of the railways. We also provide a colourful account of the launch of the only sea-going trow to be built at Langport.
“Thank you both for a very interesting talk last night about Langport’s ‘maritime’ history.” (Somerton History Society, 2020)
STUCKEYS
We were asked many times whether anyone did a talk about Stuckey’s Bank, but when we couldn’t find anyone, we eventually decided we’d have to tackle it ourselves. Our reluctance was based on our awareness that there are many different Stuckey families in Somerset, and also that we are not experts in banking or finance. However, once we began to untangle the family histories and research the ones who were involved in the bank, we were able to put together the story of a family who contributed hugely to the prosperity of Langport, and became famous names in banking circles at the end of the 19th century.
Our talk, The Stuckeys and Stuckey’s Bank, identifies the Stuckeys who were involved in banking, and outlines the growth and success of the Bank itself. We discuss the origins of the Bank in the late 18th century and its development into one of the leading provincial banks of the 19th century. With branches in many Somerset towns, and in some towns inneighbouring counties, the name is familiar to many. Stuckey’s Bank was taken over in 1909, and eventually formed part of the NatWest Banking Group. The closure in 2017 of the NatWest bank in Langport, where Stuckey’s Bank was founded, gave more publicity to this key player in the country’s banking history.
“Thank you so much for the really interesting talk you … gave to our club on Wednesday evening. It went down well, lots of interest from the audience.” (South Petherton Local History Group, 2019)
SOMERSET DOWN UNDER
In the course of our research, we discovered that there used to be a place called Langport in South Australia, and that it had been founded by Peter Prankerd, who was born in Langport, and his relative Robert Stuckey, who was born in Muchelney. This informed our choice of our next home exchange destination, and in 2016 we were fortunate to be able to spend some time in Willunga, just south of Adelaide. We spent many hours delving into South Australian archives, and were then able to visit the place formerly known as Langport, but now unaccountably renamed Moonta Bay. Local museums and history societies were immensely helpful in providing information and sources to us. Through this research we’ve uncovered a whole range of connections between South Somerset pioneers and South Australian places, and some surprises. Who knew that the major importer of large numbers of camels to South Australia was a Stuckey?
“Thank you both for your excellent talk this morning. It was really interesting and I’m sure was enjoyed by all. You have certainly done your homework!” (High Ham Ladies Group, 2019)
“It was a great pleasure to meet you both and thank you so much for the most interesting talk you gave to our Society. I know everyone present was fascinated to learn about our county’s links with that wonderful state of Australia” (Milverton & Fitzhead Society, 2022)
“Thank you so much for giving us your talk on the South Somersetters who made good in South Australia in 19th century. You attracted a larger-than expected audience for a dreary January evening.” (South Petherton Local History Group, 2023)
TWAMPS (They Were Also MPs)
This talk is based on a series of articles we wrote some years ago for a monthly political magazine, Total Politics. During our parliamentary and academic lives, we were surprised how many times we came across a famous historical name in literature, business, military, science or whatever who had been at some point a Member of Parliament, but this aspect is often not known generally. From the almost 60 published pieces, and from later research, we have distilled the most interesting – often the most surprising – examples in our talk. Some never spoke in the House of Commons; others were active MPs and even promoted useful legislation. Many of them had thoughtful and amusing things to say about their election and parliamentary experiences. We round off the presentation with a section on famous people who tried to become MPs but were not elected, and a section on MPs with surprisingly well-known names (including a late 18th century George Best, and two Charlie Chaplins!).
“Very many thanks for an excellent talk yesterday. You covered a lot of ground with great efficiency, aided by interesting and amusing slides.” (Yetminster History Society, 2020)
POLITICAL SOMERSET
From the very first issue of the Somerset Leveller (now The Leveller) in 2015, up until 2019, we wrote a series of short articles on people, places, events and artefacts associated with Somerset’s rich and varied political history. In all, fifty articles were produced, on topics such as Disraeli’s failed by-election at Taunton; Lord Curzon’s wait at Montacute for the call that never came for him to become Prime Minister; the commemorative Toby Jugs made for the 1831 Yeovil Riots, and the little Somerset village that produced two US Presidents. We marked many of the famous people who were MPs for Somerset seats, from the writer of Tom Brown’s Schooldays, Thomas Hughes; playwright, RB Sheridan; naval hero Admiral Robert Blake and the remarkable Mavis Tate in Frome.
Many who were born, or grew up, in Somerset found fame – and notoriety – in the world of politics and government, such as Ernest Bevin, Margaret Bondfield, the influential Civil War politician, John Pym – not forgetting Jeffrey Archer! Somerset boasted notable political dynasties such as the Luttrells of Dunster and the Phelips of Montacute, as well as Premiers of various parts of the British Empire. Several important political events were set in Somerset such as the dramatic Westland Affair in the Thatcher era, and quite a few influential by-elections. Political philosophers and activists, such as John Locke, Hannah More and Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt hailed from or operated in Somerset, and statesmen from Jan Christian Smuts to Winston Churchill had political connections with Somerset. Not to mention the intelligence chief who retired to a small Somerset village, and was accused of being a Soviet spy!
To many, politics is a boring shouting match played out at Westminster, but we show how local people and events have played an important part in national politics. Somerset should be proud of its many political associations.
TOWN CRIERS
When everyone, it seems, gets their news from a screen of some kind, it’s worth remembering the times when people heard the news from their local Town Crier. Most towns had their own Crier, who was often appointed by the local court to announce court judgements. Gradually Criers became the source of not only the news headlines, but also the personal columns and small ads. They had to make sure citizens knew the latest laws, but could also be paid to find lost property or to advertise new businesses. The presentation displays what they used to attract attention, such as horns and gongs, as well as their regalia, which usually gives them a distinctive and authoritative appearance. Notable Criers from Somerset and around the world are included.
Town Criers seem to be enjoying a revival, and not just in the UK. They are developing new roles, such as the Immunisation Crier in Haiti, who tells people that vaccines are safe. Town Criers have annual competitions, local, national and even international, to judge aspects such as the best ‘cry’ and the best regalia. Janet is a regular judge at the annual Ilminster Town Crier competition.
“We really enjoyed it, in particular, the historical perspective. Always good to learn new things.” (Somerton U3A, 2023)
FAMOUS LANGPORTIANS
Famous Langportians brings together some of the surprisingly large number of notable people who were born in, or associated with, our small town of Langport. We think this is something to be celebrated. Some, like Walter Bagehot, Vincent Stuckey, the Kelways, and the influential folk-singer, Emma Overd, were part of Langport all their lives. Others, like Digby Denham, left Langport to find fame and fortune around the world, and left their marks in fields as varied as music and dentistry!
In common with the modern trend in the West Country, many others moved to the Langport area, whether in retirement or perhaps just to escape urban life. They include a noted poet, Charles Sisson; a co-writer of Yes Minister, Antony Jay, and a respected historian, Norman Gash. Finally we have a light-hearted look at what we call the ‘Lincoln had a cup of tea here’ syndrome – those famous historical figures who briefly visited Langport. They include characters as diverse as US President Woodrow Wilson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Oliver Cromwell and Mother Teresa.
SEVEN SISTERS OF SOMERSET
Our most recent talk, this grew out of our long-standing efforts in our writings and talks to highlight the notable women of Somerset, so often overlooked in histories and physical commemorations. We decided to devise a new talk that would bring together a sample of such women. We settled on seven for alliterative reasons, so anyone expecting a talk on North London districts and Tube stations or South Coast cliff formations will be disappointed! Our focus is on notable women born in Somerset or lived and worked in Somerset, from those who may be are currently well-known to some degree or other, but perhaps at risk of being forgotten over time, to those who are either now almost totally forgotten, or whose Somerset connection is less well-known. Our selection covers a wide range from the arts and sciences through sport and exploration to politics and public activism. How many do you know? How many should you get to know?
“It was lovely to see you again at The Castle this week and we all thoroughly enjoyed your talk.” (Taunton Ladies Probus, 2023)
“people liked the concept of the seven sisters (nice alliteration!) and the range of women covered. Some people had been concerned that the approach might have been to go through each one very chronologically and they were very pleased and interested by the approach of pulling out the key points of each life story, with evident quality of research backing up the narrative. And the use of pictures/photos/maps was welcomed.” (Frome Society for Local Study, 2023)