Thursday Morning Talks -Autumn Series - Multiple Dates

Thursday Morning Talks

September – December 2025

10.30am – 12pm - Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

£3.50 per talk, including refreshments.

Join us for a series of engaging talks covering a wide range of topics, including local history, cultural heritage, notable figures, and the evolution of our communities. Whether you're curious about the past, passionate about storytelling, or simply enjoy learning something new, these sessions offer something for everyone. Delivered by knowledgeable speakers in a friendly and welcoming setting, each talk invites you to explore stories that have shaped our local identity and continue to inspire us today.

Thursday 11 September

A Writers Life - What does it take to write for a living?

Speaker: Sue Bentley

Sue Bentley will talk about the ups and downs of her career, from early beginnings writing erotic fiction for women, to worldwide bestselling children's series, fantasy, and historical crime for adults.

Thursday 25 September

The Spy Who Loved Himself | Speaker: Michael Kushner

The Germans called him Agent Fritz. The British called him Zig Zag. His real name was Eddie Chapman. Before the war he was a crook and a villain. After the war he returned to crime. This is a hard to believe story but true. He loved many women, he loved spending money, he also loved the Germans. He was loyal to Britain and his actions saved many thousands of British lives. But there is one thing he loved more than anything, himself!

Thursday 9 October

Memoirs of a Royal Footman | Speaker: Ian Scott Hunter

After eight years of service in Buckingham Palace, Ian is currently Butler to HRH Princess Alexandra. You will hear stories from behind the scenes about the British Royal Family, the duties of a Royal Footman, the uniforms, palaces and castles, modes of transport, and many other interesting details of what goes on behind the palace walls.

Thursday 23 October

The Tombstone Tourist - wandering haunted places in the UK and abroad! | Speaker: Claire Davy

Claire will take us on a spooky and macabre tour of haunted places around the world. Starting local we will look at what Northampton has to offer in terms of folklore and historic places and talk about some of the stories that have grown up around the town. After that it’s time to grab our passports and travel further afield for a bit of ‘tombstone tourism’ where we will hear stories of creepy and unusual grave sites to embrace the darker side of world travel.

Thursday 6 November

Northamptonshire's Post-1945 Roll of Honour | Speaker: Guy Voice

How a military funeral in 2008 started a journey to record all the County's armed forces casualties who have died on duty since WW2. The talk will discuss how the names were identified, and who some of these men and women were.

Thursday 20 November

From Police Constable to DCI - 30 Years of Service | Speaker: Andrew Tennet

Andy talks about his 30 years of service with Northamptonshire police, from his start as a PC on the beat, through various postings and promotions, to his time as a Detective Chief Inspector with the Homicide and Major Crime Team and then the world of anti-corruption and integrity. The presentation chronicles the high points (and a few low points) of his career and is supported by a wealth of pictures and information.

Thursday 4 December

Operation Exodus and the Fate of Lancaster Bomber PD339 | Speaker Bill Lockerbie

On 26th April 1945 RAF Lancaster Bomber PD339 of No 50 Squadron returning to its base in Lincolnshire crashed close to Delapre Home Farm. The crew were on the final leg of their mission to repatriate Allied ex POWs as part of "Operation Exodus". In this talk you will hear about the events leading up to this tragic crash, just one day after the cessation of bombing activities in Europe. It recognises the bravery of the crew and is a moving tribute to all those who served in bomber command.

Thursday 18 December

Music, Musicals and a Merry Christmas! | Speaker: Frances Coombs

A fun and festive entertainment sharing some of our most enduring and loved Christmas songs with a peek at some of the stories behind them plus some personal memories.

You can purchase a series ticket for £25 (+ Eventbrite booking fee).

Tickets are also available to purchase from the museum direct, either in person of by calling 01604 526322, Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sundays 12-5pm.