COMMUNITY HISTORY YEARS OF CONSEQUENCE TALKS

Recently I've been giving my entertaining ‘community history’ slideshow presentations to groups, clubs, W.I. meetings, U3A, care homes, schools, colleges, and neighbourhood associations big-and-small, across Surrey U.K. and the wider South-East region of Britain.

I've started a collection of illustrated talks that I call my 'Years of Consequence' presentations. Below is a list of my currently available Years of Consequence talks and details about how you can book a talk for your association, group, or your community event.

Groups, clubs, and W.I.s have been enjoying my entertaining “community history” illustrated presentations. Below is a current list of COMMUNITY HISTORY YEARS OF CONSEQUENCE TALKS.

1: “Reflecting on 1969: Britain Thrusts into the Space Age”

If your audience remembers the late 1960s, and the Moon Landings this discussion is bound to bring back some fond recollections!

In this light-hearted and interesting talk I explore what we consumed in 1969. Fashion in 1969. Shopping in 1969. The sounds of 1969. And what we watched on telly in 1969.

2: “Standpipes + Sex Pistols: The long hot summer of ‘76” 1976 saw one of the warmest, driest, and sunniest summers ever recorded! An extended heatwave occurred from mid-June until the end of August, preceded by a winter with very little rain. The Drought Act with emergency water rationing legislation was a necessity due to this summer’s extreme drought.

Your audience will appreciate the nostalgic feel of this talk, especially if they have memories of belting out “Mamma Mia” or grooving to “Save Your Kisses for Me.”

If your audience knows the difference between Starsky and Hutch, or are aware why David Wilkie and Brenda Foster made the headlines, and if they have memories of trying their first egg McMuffin, or if they know the significance of “Four Candles”... they’ll love the nostalgia of this fun talk!

3: “The year that changed its mind —1936”

1936 was significant because profound political changes occurred, altering world history and leaving a lasting legacy ninety years later.

The Spanish Civil War, Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia, Hitler’s remilitarization of the Rhineland, and the UK’s Abdication Crisis were significant events.

1936 saw Nazi propaganda at the Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens’ track success, and innovations like the Hindenburg’s transatlantic journey, the prototype Volkswagen Beetle, the Spitfire’s maiden flight, Alan Turing’s early computer, and the widespread use of the K6 red telephone box in Britain.

For those eager to delve into the year that Birdseye introduced frozen foods in Britain, Mackintosh’s Quality Street came onto the shelves the Crystal Palace fire, George Formby’s “When I’m Cleaning Windows,” and Amy Johnson’s last record flight, this relaxed and informative slideshow is ideal.

4: “1946 - the wonderful year of beginnings”

Victory came in 1945, yet it was the following year that marked the beginning of an amazing new era. The new era was marked by fragile peace and significant shifts in confidence.

In 1946, British society contemplated the impact of new technologies and innovations that would help grow our nation’s post-war transition.

This captivating illustrated talk explores the origins and enduring impact of events from 1946, revealing how many events in that pivotal year continue to shape our present-day choices.

5: “How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967”

Why don’t we talk more about living during the Cold War? Perhaps the answer is blowin’ in the wind...

Despite living through it, many people know very little about the Cold War. Yet, the Cold War holds a key place in our common social narrative, and some of the events of the mid-20th century still echo in our present.

Signs of an impending apocalypse were prevalent in British culture during the 1950s and 1960s and these signs came to the surface in cinema (through James Bond films), through television (Man from U.N.C.L.E. , Doctor Who and even Thunderbirds) and through popular music (Baez and Dylan.)

Daily life was influenced by the creativity, mindset, and structures/architecture of the Cold War. To deal with the possibility of impending disaster and perhaps to suppress the disturbing truth about a looming doomsday, people resorted to allegory and symbols. Britons faced the ever-present calamity by either downplaying it, laughing at it, or refusing to acknowledge it.

This captivating and informative illustrated talk details significant cultural events between 1957 and 1967.

I'm represented by SpeakerNet and you can see a full detailed list of all my illustrated talks if you visit: https://speakernet.co.uk/speaker/1888/neil-mach

If you need me quickly I'm often available at short notice (less than a week).

Cost of my visit: I'm aware of the financial constraints that small community groups and local associations face, therefore I offer my illustrated talks free of charge, but I always appreciate a reasonable contribution towards my travel expenses.

Equipment: I have my own projector, audio, screen, and laptop. Please let me know if you need me to bring my equipment with me. I'll also bring mementos, artifacts, and ephemera to aid triggering audience memories.

I'd love to visit your community and provide one of my fun Community History Talks!

Neil Mach is a prolific English author known for his clean urban fantasy fiction (like his popular 'Moondog' series) and his historical fiction works. Neil is also a well-known public speaker, and a creativity advisor. Neil has a background as a rock journalist. He frequently shares his expertise on writing and the music business, particularly rock music history, and has written over 20 books, and he often addresses writing workshops. Since its launch in 2019, his extremely popular Myth & Magic podcast has provided enthusiasts of fantasy literature and fantasy art with over 125 hours of audio enjoyment.