Threads and Entanglements: Curious Histories Easter Special

Dr Stuart Mitchell hosts theCurious Histories'series of charity talks. He's a historian who works at the Open University, chairing its Masters' programme in local history from 2018 to 2022. He's lived in Brighton for more than a decade and is especially keen to bring the curious and unconventional side of his subject to a wider audience.

Curious Histories

Forgotten photos, historical murder scenes, and the communist underworld all feature in our 'Pathways to Health' fundraiser this Easter.

The Poets Ale and Smokehouse

Curious Histories: Charity History Talks

Benefitting a number of small charities, the Curious Histories lecture series showcases the half-forgotten, unconventional and overlooked stories of the past. It runs at a variety of venues across Brighton and Hove and also incorporates online talks.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CuriousHistoriesHoveBrighton" title="https://www.facebook.com/CuriousHistoriesHoveBrighton" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Curious Histories</a> is delighted to return to Hove's friendly Poets Ale and Smokehouse for its Easter special. There will be suitably left-field talks from two great returning speakers, Alexa Neale and Becky Edmunds, plus an amuse-bouche from your genial host.We are very pleased that our Easter fundraiser will benefit a fabulous small local charity: <a href="http://www.pathwaystohealth.org.uk/clinics.html#team" title="http://www.pathwaystohealth.org.uk/clinics.html#team" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Pathways to Health</a>. The organisation works to help people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues and provides acupuncture to support them as part of their recovery journey. Doors will open at 6.30pm, with first talk beginning around 7.15pm. There will be an interval at 8.15pm and we aim to finish about half-nine. Do come early if you would like to sample the Poets' excellent menu before the show. Our talks: A history of forensic photography in England and WalesUsing some remarkable case studies, Alexa Neale takes us back to some of the earliest manifestations of forensic crime photography, exploring what they can tell us about changing ideas of domesticity, privacy, and personal relationships in twentieth-century England and Wales. Her talk will reveal how photographs of domestic objects and spaces were often used to sculpt 'murder narratives' based on assumptions about the accused. Those forgottenEmbroidery artist Becky Edmunds collects old photographs of strangers. She then transforms them into contemporary artworks using thread. In this talk, she will share a brief history of portrait photography and discuss how to look again at the photographs you may have of people you do not recognise. Blat! On the fiddle under Soviet communismIn post-Stalinist USSR, despite potentially brutal penalties, almost everyone was on the fiddle! Stu Mitchell explores the personal and material culture of blat - the term used for a shadow economy of petty criminality, racketeering, pilfering, and (above all) using one's connections to get by in conditions of extreme scarcity. Our speakers:<a href="https://www.thisplusthread.com/about" title="https://www.thisplusthread.com/about" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Becky Edmunds</a> is a Sussex-based artist and filmmaker, whose recent projects have focused on found or neglected historical material and its repurposing. Her first presentation for Curious Histories was on Dick Perceval's forgotten journals - now <a href="https://www.tobecontinued.online/" title="https://www.tobecontinued.online/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">serialised as a web series</a>. Her latest work, which combines discarded photographs and embroidery, is the subject of her talk at the Poets. Dr Alexa Neale is Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Sussex and the author of <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/photographing-crime-scenes-in-twentiethcentury-london-9781350202535/" title="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/photographing-crime-scenes-in-twentiethcentury-london-9781350202535/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Photographing crime scenes in Twentieth-Century London</a>. Her research focuses on crime and popular culture in historical perspective including images, narratives and objects. Her first lecture for Curious Histories was on miniature dolls'-house-like renderings of crime scenes that were used in court cases. Dr Stuart Mitchell is an academic historian based at the Open University and the host of Curious Histories. FAQsHow do I find out more about Curious Histories?You can follow us <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/curious-histories-29797630479" title="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/curious-histories-29797630479">here on eventbrite</a>, or join our public <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuriousHistoriesHoveBrighton" title="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuriousHistoriesHoveBrighton" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">facebook chat group</a>.How does the ticketing work?For this event, all the tickets are by donation and although we make a suggestion of £5pp, you are welcome to give more or, if you're feeling the pinch at the moment, less. Just enter the amount you would like to donate into the box before checking out.What's the easiest way to get to the Poets Ale and Smokehouse?It's in the Poets Corner area of Hove, on Montgomery Street. The nearest train stations are Hove and Aldrington - both just a 5-10 minute walk away. Buses 2, 5A, 5B, 46 and 49 stop on the corner of Portland Road, a short hop from the pub, or take the 1, 1X, or 6 to Hove Street, a 10-minute stroll from the venue.What refreshments will be available?Buy your drinks in the bar downstairs before the event and at the interval - you can bring them up to the show. The Poets also has a great food menu and we thoroughly recommend arriving before the doors open to have a meal.How does this Curious Histories event support good causes?We're delighted to say that profits from the show will be going to help <a href="http://www.pathwaystohealth.org.uk/index.html#top" title="http://www.pathwaystohealth.org.uk/index.html#top" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Pathways to Health</a>. The charity assists people recovering from drug and alcohol problems and those with mental health difficulties. Its dedicated practitioners provide acupuncture that helps enable individuals and their families to overcome addiction, sustain recovery, and positively change their lives. Pathways to health runs regular clinics that are open to everyone at the Unitarian church in Brighton (Tuesdays), Richmond House (Thursdays), and Cornerstone centre in Hove (Fridays).Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?No, we will have a list of names on the door.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.Will latecomers be admitted?Talks will begin at approx 7.15pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.Is there wheelchair access to the venue?Unfortunately, the nature of the building makes wheelchair access to the upper floor of the pub impossible.