Curious Histories - Festival Special 2025

We are delighted that the Curious Histories lecture programme is returning to the city's vibrant Ageing Well Festival, which provides opportunities for people aged 50 and over to explore new experiences and meet new people. But do please note that you don't have to be over 50 to attend our show: we're open to all! The festival highlights the many activities that help reduce isolation and increase well-being in the older population.

This double-bill of unusual talks features Professor René Weis and Dr Janet Pennington, two terrific speakers who are returning to our programme. The show will be held at St. John's church, by the floral clock in Hove. We're asking for a small donation to come along. Ample refreshment will be provided at our bar, serving both alcoholic and soft drinks, which takes cash and cards. Doors and bar open at 7pm and the talks begin at 7.15pm. There will be an interval between the talks.

Our talks:

Ill Met By Moonlight - Professor René Weis

One hot August night in deepest Provence a British family settles down to sleep beside their car in a lay-by. Before daybreak all three of them, a father, a mother, and their ten-year-old daughter, have been brutally murdered. The year is 1952. The British family are pioneering scientists and cosmopolitan; the French family accused of the crime are farmers defined by their land and Mafia-like codes of conduct which struck outsiders as primitive, if not feral.

René Weis’s talk stems from his recent book, Ill Met By Moonlight. In it, he revisits the story of the most contested murder in France since the Second World War, which proved the inspiration for films and tales of espionage, hit squads, wartime bullion treasure, and chemical weapons research.

The talk will address, among others, the way the intricate French legal system worked to bring the accused to justice. In the course of research for his book, Weis spent time renting an apartment in the village inhabited by the son of one of the chief protagonists – she is still alive – and has himself on three occasions lunched at the ‘farm of the damned’, as the journalists dubbed it, from where the killer left to murder the British family.

Professor Weis is steeped in the topography and culture of a Provence which, at the time of the murders, had changed little since the days of Daudet or Pagnol’s Jean de Florette. His account of the history of the Drummond murders is combined with his personal experiences of following the tragedy's lingering trail in a far-flung corner of the province.

Cakes and Ale: A ‘full English’ in your seventeenth century local? - Dr Janet Pennington

Are we still enjoying what our ancestors ate in the morning in alehouses and inns? What were they breakfasting on in the time of the Stuarts?

In her richly illustrated talk, Dr Janet Pennington examines the differences between types of drinking establishments from 1550 to 1750, using documentary and other sources to provide evidence for the food and drink sold and consumed within them, and showing how these provisions were supplied. You will hear the reactions from travellers (not always good!) and local customers to what was on offer, together with insights into the lifestyles of innkeepers, both male and female. The talk will cover much of Sussex, as well as surrounding counties.

Our speakers:

Professor René Weis is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at University College London and an internationally renowned scholar of Shakespeare and early modern literary history. His interests are exceptionally broad, however, and he has also published works on the Cathars, the tragic case of Edith Thompson, and on the Drummond murders, the subject of this talk for Curious Histories.

Dr Janet Pennington is a well-known Sussex historian and a vibrant public speaker. She taught local history and palaeography for the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sussex for many years, and was archivist at Lancing College. Amongst other things, she is a life member of the Sussex Archaeological Society, member of the Sussex Family History Group, and Hon. President of the Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society. Her work is showcased at Sussex History Talks.

FAQs

How do I find out more about Curious Histories?

You can follow us here on eventbrite, or join our public facebook chat group.

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

On-street parking in the vicinity is relatively limited, but the following buses stop within a minute's walk of St. John's (Palmeira square stop): 1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 21, 25, 46, 49. Hove railway station is approximately a 15 minute walk from the venue.

What refreshments will be available?

There will be a bar serving a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It will take both card and cash payments.

Where does my donation go?

All proceeds from the bar and the retiring collection go straight to the community work of St. John's, such as the Cornerstone food bank.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the event?

No, the event is open to all ages.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have a list of names on the door.

Is it okay if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes, that's fine.

Will latecomers be admitted?

The first talk will begin at 7.15pm, but there will be some seats reserved for latecomers.

What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?

If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.

Is there wheelchair access to the venue?

Yes, St.John's is fully wheelchair accessible.