Guest Speaker
Programme

A lively look at Beatlemania from the other side of the stage: the fans. We start with a brief history of the band, then dive into devoted followers, fainting crowds, treasured autographs, lovingly made scrapbooks and the extraordinary lengths people went to just to get near the Fab Four.

Includes stories of George Harrison's mum writing back to fans, fan keepsakes selling for thousands, and the Apple Scruffs — the loyal group who waited outside Apple and even inspired George to write a song about them. Expect humour, nostalgia, a few singalong moments and proof that teenage obsession did not begin with social media.

Before boy bands, talent shows and influencers, Tommy Steele became Britain’s first true pop idol. From merchant navy misadventures to coffee-shop guitar playing in 1950s London, his rise was fast, noisy and full of screaming fans.

This feel-good talk follows Tommy from pop sensation to theatre and film star, celebrating the charm, songs and stage presence that gave him a career far bigger than one novelty hit.

The story of Motown is the story of hit after hit, talent after talent, and one record label that seemed to have a direct phone line to musical genius. From Detroit to dancefloors around the world, this talk celebrates the artists, writers, producers and performers who created a sound that still fills a room within seconds.

Come for the music, stay for the sparkle, the harmonies, the choreography and the reminder that nobody dresses for a performance quite like that anymore.

A warm celebration of one of Britain’s sharpest and most brilliant comedy voices. Victoria Wood could make a sketch about a tea urn feel like a national event, and this talk explores the writing, performances and beautifully observed characters that made her work so loved.

From Acorn Antiques to dinnerladies, it is full of laughs, tenderness and everyday comedy — especially if that everyday life involves a canteen, a tabard or a tray of slightly disappointing biscuits.

John Sullivan gave us Citizen Smith, Just Good Friends, Dear John, Only Fools and Horses, The Green Green Grass and Rock & Chips. This talk looks at the writer behind the laughs, from early comedy work to characters and catchphrases that became part of everyday life.

Expect Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Uncle Albert and the world of Peckham — but also a look beyond the Reliant Regal at Sullivan’s gift for creating people we feel we know.

For decades, Top of the Pops was the programme everyone watched to discover who was climbing, who was dropping and who had finally made it to number one. This talk goes behind the scenes of the show that brought the charts into our living rooms.

We explore the studio, dance troupes, changing music scene and the glorious unpredictability of live television — including performances that looked suspiciously like they were planned five minutes before broadcast.

A light-hearted look at upstairs drama, downstairs loyalty, dramatic dinner tables and enough social rules to make modern life seem wonderfully casual. This talk celebrates the characters, storylines, actors, settings and irresistible period detail that made Downton such a worldwide favourite.

There will be births, deaths, marriages, class tensions and probably someone ringing for tea at entirely the wrong moment.

Friends became one of the biggest television phenomena in the world, and this talk explores how six characters, one coffee shop and a lot of very quotable lines took over popular culture.

Includes casting, chemistry, famous fees, behind-the-scenes moments and some quiz fun for fellow fans. Nostalgic, funny and full of "oh, I remember that!" moments — although nobody can promise there will not be a shout of "pivot".