Joy Pibworth has been a Janeite since reading the first paragraph of Pride and Prejudice in the Third Year at school; she has been a member of the Jane Austen Society almost as long. The talk will reveal the many and varied links which connected Jane Austen and her family to people and places in the Thames Valley; links between Jane’s life in her beloved Hampshire and what Mrs Austen referred to as 'the broad river, the rich valleys and the noble hills (of the Thames Valley)… at her native home near Henley on Thames'.

Richard's talk describes the 200 years of the growth of the Sutton Seeds Company. Discover how the local company, Suttons, built up a reputation for reliability and quality that became fundamental to its success.

The silk industry existed in Reading for over 200 years, and employed over 500 people in the early 19th century. Yet nowadays few have heard of it. David’s interest in the subject stems from the fact that he grew up in Macclesfield, a town dominated by silk manufacture. He will describe the different processes involved in silk production, how the industry in Reading was run, some of the firms involved, and whereabouts they operated.

Jane is an experienced archaeologist and a member of national and local archaeology groups, whose studies focus on stone circles and henges. Recent scientific discoveries have explained who were the builders of Avebury, how it was built and its context in the Neolithic works. Why it was built remains a topic for discussion.

The Settle to Carlisle Railway is the story of England's most spectacular main line railway. The line is a superb example of Victorian engineering. Threatened at one time with closure, it now serves both commuters and tourists and is a strategic freight route.

Jackie is a retired police officer who worked for the Hampshire Constabulary for almost 30 years (1982 – 2012). This is the second of her three talks, following on from the first, with more entertaining stories from her career.

Liz looks at the impact of Oxford's population doubling and its footprint almost quadrupled during the Victorian period. The talk examines some of the characters involved in this enormous expansion of the city. Fortunes were made, reputations were lost, regulations were ignored and political careers were boosted. Many of the houses are still in Oxford and change hands at prices which would make the average Victorian artisan faint.

Jon served in Her Majesty's Lifeguards band for 25 years. His talk will include some information on the Saxophone and he will bring some instruments with him to illustrate his talk, which focuses on his army experiences.

Delve into the world of forensic science with Hayley, a former CSI investigator, and find out what actually happens behind the crime scene tape.

Keith's talk will cover the development of the St Ives colony of artists from the latter part of the 19th century into the 20th century. The talk will cover the major artists involved in the colony, exploring both their work and how they contributed to the wider arts community in the town.

Why do so many Christmas cards feature robins? What kind of Partridge might be sitting in a pear tree? Ailsa's talk answers these questions and those about other festive connections to our feathered friends in a fascinating look at Christmas traditions.

Duncan Mackay wrote a book about Octavia Hill and used this quote of hers as his book title. He investigates how the Hill family influenced campaigns in Victorian England which led to the National Trust being formed.

Richard uses 25 years of hands-on experience to dismantle the myth of decline and reveal the vibrant reality of British industry today. This talk takes us behind the headlines to explore what Britain really is currently producing.

Richard is a qualified guide at this major London cemetery. He will take us on a tour of the grounds and the catacombs. Be prepared to be shocked and fascinated by the antics of some of our predecessors!

The Elizabethan mansion at Shaw was built in 1581 from the profits of the cloth trade. Queen Elizabeth I visited Shaw House. It was also a setting for a Civil War battle. After a £6 million conservation project in the 21st century it is now a visitor attraction.