This is a series of three one-hour lectures by Mike Fraser, organised in association with Berwick Literary Festival. Patrons of the Festival are entitled to a 50% discount on tickets for the full course (see Tickets). This listing is for the full course; you can book individual lectures here.

History through a Northumbrian Lens: Part One looks at Sir William Beveridge, Sir Edward Grey and Sir Charles Trevelyan.

Sir William Beveridge, whose 1942 report advocating the creation of a post-war welfare state had made him a hugely popular national celebrity, was elected MP for Berwick in 1944, but was rejected by the electors ten months later.

In contrast Sir Edward Grey, as Foreign Secretary, made his famous “The Lamps are going out …” speech in August 1914 when he was one of the longest serving MPs for Berwick.

Charles Trevelyan of Wallington was from a similar background to Grey but opposed the war and went on to resign from the first two Labour governments because of their failure to deliver his brand of socialism.

Mike will deliver illustrated talks and there will be ample time for debate about the contributions of these individuals during crucial periods of British history. History through a Northumbrian Lens: Part Two, which will focus on John MacKay Wilson, Lord Walter Runciman and Mabel Philipson, will be scheduled in Autumn 2021.

Lectures will be delivered via Zoom. If you haven't used Zoom before, please go to www.zoom.us and look at the tutorials. Once you have booked, you will find the Zoom invitation in the Online Event Page on Eventbrite. You will also receive an email with the invitation 24 hours before the event. If you can't find the invitation, please email berwickea@gmail.com.

If you book this course online, we will hold your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy. If you do not wish us to hold your personal data, please book by post (see www.berwickea.org) and do not supply an email address.