The document outlines a series of lectures organized by the Chester Society of Natural Science, Literature & Art, founded by Charles Kingsley in 1871. ​ These lectures take place at the Lecture Theatre in Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD. ​

 

Lecture Schedule:

Thursday, 8th October 2026 – 7:30 PM

Wildlife & Habitat in Aid of Conservation
Speaker: Irene Amiet

This talk is based on the Coffee Table Book Wilder Britain.  Irene Amiet is an award winning, wildlife and nature photographer, conservationist and freelance writer. Originally from Switzerland she now lives in the north of England. She champions the idea that photography is both an art form and a conservation tool.

Thursday, 22nd October 2026 – 7:30 PM

The Siege of Chester during the English Civil War
Speaker: Mike Royden

Mike Royden returns this winter to talk about the grim days of winter 1645/5 when Chester was under siege during the English Civil war. He has taught history for over 30years, including at Liverpool University. He has written several books and made regular appearances on radio and television, including “Who do you think you are”.

Thursday, 5th November 2026 – 7:30 PM

Scott of the Antarctic: a theatrical presentation 
Speaker: Andrew Lound

We welcome back Andrew Lound for another of his wonderful full dress historical dramas. This time his re enactment will be about Robert Falcon Scott, a true British hero who led the Discovery expedition (1901–04) and the ill-fated Terra Nova expedition (1910–13). He reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find Roald Amundsen had preceded him by five weeks. Scott and his team died on the return journey, leaving behind valuable scientific findings, including the first Antarctic fossils, and a legacy as both a tragic hero and significant contributor to polar science.

Thursday, 19th November 2026 – 7:00 PM Chester Lecture Society AGM

Followed at 7:30PM by:

A Journey to the Land of the ‘Simmer Dim’
Speaker: David Cummings ​

Chairman of the Society will talk about a recent journey by train and ferry to Orkney and Shetland and the incredible history and especially archaeology of these remote islands. We visit the towns of Lerwick and Kirkwall as well as the Neolithic and Iron age villages of Jarlshof and Skara Brea, which were occupied 4000 and 5000years ago respectively as well as the Ring of Brodgar and Stenness standing stones.

We also find out about the Shetland Bus and its many stories of bravery from WWII, together with the Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers.

Thursday, 7th January 2027, 7:30 PM
Chester Zoo and the Local Conservation Corridor
Speaker: Chris Ablett ​

Chris Ablett is the Community Volunteering Training co-ordinator at the Zoo and been responsible for helping to create a natural wildlife corridor throughout the area. The area links the land around the zoo, along the canals, across the city, to environment, such as The Legion Meadow and Church grounds in Christleton, to Hockenhull Platts and the River Gowy across its catchment.

Thursday, 21st January 2027, 7:30 PM
Sculpture – Aspects of My Work
Speaker: Stephen Broadbent Cheshire Sculptor

Stephen Broadbent has created many of the sculptures that can be seen in Chester, including Celebration of Chester outside Chester Town Hall, Water of Life in the Cloisters at Chester Cathedral, the West Door Project at the Cathedral, and a new work recently established at the University. Stephen studied sculpture for four years with Arthur Dooley, and has created public sculptures across the UK and for international projects.  His Water of Life memorial in Warrington Town Centre is intended to give hope for the future and takes the form of a fountain and river running down the street, bringing healing and refreshment.

Thursday, 4th February 2027 – 7:30 PM
The Art of Chester: a talk by the Curator of art at the Grosvenor Museumm ​
Speaker: Jessie Petheram

Jessie Petheram is Assistant Curator (Art) at West Cheshire Museums. Her recent research interests include Georgian regional art networks, early 19^th century etching and landscape photography. She was previously Tomlinson Assistant Curator of Fine art at National Museums Liverpool. She was co-curator of Another View; Women Landscape artists at Lady Lever Art Gallery and has held curator roles at the Shakespeare Birthplace and Wordsworth Trusts.

Thursday, 18th February 2027 – 7:30 PM
Invention, achievement and unfailing optimism
Speaker: Richard Coackley CBE

Richard a favourite local speaker comes to talk about the lives, endeavours and interrelations of a few great engineers.

Richard is one of the leading experts in the design of dams and other structures. He also advises government on Energy and Water. Tonight he will talk about his favourite engineers and their achievements.

Thursday, 4th March 2026 – 7:30 PM
An Introduction to Norton Priory and the history of its gardens
Speaker: Paul Quigley

Paul Quigley is one of the team which is responsible for the care of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens near Runcorn. Norton Priory has over nine centuries of stories to tell. From the 12^th -century beginnings of the Augustinian monastery, through the turmoil of the Reformation and Civil War to the splendour of the Georgian Mansion. It is an excellent site to visit, with a new Museum opened in 2016, a superb walled garden with a national collection of Tree Quince.