LUDLOW LECTURES
History and Landscape of Ludlow and the Marches
The Ludlow Lectures are held in Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Market Square Ludlow SY8 1AZ.
Each lecture starts at 10.00am and finishes at 12.00, with a coffee break in the middle. (Coffee may be ordered before the lecture, at the Bar.)
The programme for Autumn 2025 is as follows:
Tuesday 14 October 2025
Mark Davis
Following in the Footsteps of the Welsh Drovers
For centuries the drovers of Wales carved out regular routes for taking their animals to market in England, and this talk will delve into the history and practices of droving. Mark will also identify the legacy of droving that is still with us and explore some of the routes taken both near and further afield. Mark is an Ambassador for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and has a particular research interest in drovers.
Tuesday 21 October 2025
Michael Rosenbaum
How the Canal Nearly Came to Ludlow
We are delighted to welcome back popular speaker Professor Michael Rosenbaum for another landscape-themed lecture. His talk will explore how a canal almost came to Ludlow - planned but never quite materialised.
Tuesday 28 October 2025
Cat Boddy
Shropshire’s window to the origin of animals
The hills of the Long Mynd host the first rocks from which evidence of ancient (Precambrian) life was reported in 1856. For nearly 170 years, geologists have debated the origins of the intricate patterns preserved here, and Cat Boddy’s recent fieldwork is rewriting this remarkable geological story. Cat completes her PhD thesis on this topic this Autumn, and is keen to make geology inspiring for anyone less familiar with the subject as well as to share her research with geology enthusiasts in the audience.
Tuesday 4 November 2025
Keith Ray
When was Ludlow? Archaeology and enigma in the origins of a Shropshire town
Given the lack of any mention of a place called ‘Ludlow’ in the Domesday Book, what are the implications of an early Anglo-Saxon cemetery and some prestige items found locally in recent years – some in close proximity to the town? Professor Keith Ray will identify archaeological and some other clues as to when a first settlement at Ludlow may have come into being and will speculate upon what may yet be found here.
[Tuesday 11 November 2025] No lecture
Tuesday 18 November 2025
Phil Horsfall and Peter Cornah
The Language of Ludlow
The Norman founders of Ludlow still very much influence how we speak today. Phil Horsfall, a former languages teacher, will take an informal look at how and why some everyday English words and phrases came about and ‘why we say that’. Peter Cornah will explore the main languages heard and used in this area in the early Middle Ages, who might have used them and how, introducing a ‘special guest’ to guide us on our way.
Tuesday 25 November 2025
Gabrielle Drake
Wenlock Abbey
Wenlock Abbey, listed Grade I, was originally part of the Cluniac Wenlock Priory, but is now a private home. Behind its glorious Renaissance façade, the prior’s private apartments are barely altered. In 1983 the Abbey was bought by artist Louis de Wet and his wife, actress Gabrielle Drake. They restored the ancient fabric whilst re-interpreting some of the interiors. Gabrielle will recount the story of the house and their restoration journey.
For further information please contact:
Amana Winchester
Telephone 07545 257 847
or
E-mail: AmanaWinchester@gmail.com
If you would like to attend these lectures:
1) Please pay £25 by BACS for all 6 lectures.
Sort code: 20-53-22 Account number: 63901157 Ludlow Lectures
Please include your name as the reference so we know who has paid and email me (Amana) so I can look for your name on the bank statement.
2) Or let Amana have a cheque made payable to Ludlow Lectures - £25 per person.
3) Individual lectures are £5 per person and you are welcome to pay in cash on the door.