New Season of Royston Pike Lectures [Spring 2025]

Elmbridge Borough Council and Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre bring you a new season of Royston Pike Lectures in spring 2025. We encourage our audience to book lecture tickets online or by calling our box office hotline, rather than paying cash at the door. Booking in advance is simple and convenient, ensuring you avoid queues and secure your seat with ease. 

Spring 2025 Royston Pike Lecture Dates:

Wednesday 12 February: talk about ‘Regency Dress’ by Grace Evans, Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum 
This talk accompanies an exhibition of Regency dress, on show at Chertsey Museum from the 14 Sept 2024 to 6 Sept 2025. The Olive Matthews Collection incorporates a very fine and rare group of garments from the early part of the 19th century. With the help of beautiful images from the collection, Grace will explore this fascinating and radical period in fashion history; regaling us with stories of the clothes themselves and the world from which they emerged. Grace Evans is a Curator, Lecturer and Author whose published works include the books Fashion in Focus, Treasures from the Olive Matthews Collection and Titanic Style, Dress and Fashion on the Voyage.

More info about Olive Matthews Collection: https://chertseymuseum.org/Fashion

Thursday 13 March: ‘Riverfed: A Culinary Journey down the Thames’ with Di Murrell, food writer and fine foods judge
An illustrated talk based upon two chapters of her new book and the author’s own experiences working on canal boats and barges on Britain’s inland waterways. She tells the story of how limes, picked in Ghana and processed in Hemel Hempstead, became the last regular freight to be carried on the English canal system, and why Canadian wheat, grown in Alberta was made into flour in Weybridge. Learn about the Thames, the revival of the grain trade in the ‘80s, the part played by the historic ‘Free Water Clause’ and much more. Di Murrell is an award-winning food writer whose books, Barges and Bread and A Foodie Afloat reflect her twin interests in food history and
waterways.

Wednesday 9 April: ‘30 years on the Commons’ – by Dave Page, Countryside Estates Officer at Elmbridge Borough
Dave Page has been managing Elmbridge Borough Council’s Commons and Countryside sites since 1991 as part of their Countryside Team. In this lecture, he will describe the important habitats that remain, such as heathland, grasslands, and wetland habitats, explaining their past use, how they are now managed and the challenges they face in the 21st century. Discover more about the nationally important Esher Commons, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Learn about the local conservation of rare or endangered species such as the Starfruit (Damasonium alisma), the Silver-studded Blue butterfly and birds such as the Dartford Warbler. Sharing insights from over 30 years’ experience, Dave will remind us how these precious sites and species enrich all our lives.


 

Single lecture ticket: £4 (standard)

Seasonal ticket: £10 for 3 lectures

Lecture starts at 7:30pm 
Bar and doors open at 7:00pm

Sorry we cannot guarantee your seat if you come without a booked ticket.
Booking can also be made in person at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre or by telephone- Box Office hotline: 01932 253 354, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.