Breathing Life into History
Danny Wells
Danny's talks and courses celebrate the history of the Victorian age.
There is also a strong focus on the Derbyshire Dales, Staffordshire Moorlands & London's East End.
His aim is to unlock the past, discovering, stimulating and creating a greater understanding of these areas.

 

Forthcoming Events

TALKS

Voyages of Discovery
Round British Isles and Chelsea Flower Show Cruise
A series of talks - May 2013

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Ashbourne Arts Festival 2013

The Art of Derbyshire
Danny Wells will show a selection of his favourite art with a Derbyshire theme. It is an eclectic mix including historical paintings; architectural features and past artists with have an association with this fine county. What would you choose?

DATE / TIME: Thursday 4 July 2013 (7.00-9.00pm)

VENUE: All Saints Community Hall (Catholic Church), Belle Vue, Ashbourne

Booking and fees through Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre.

 

Guided Tours

IN SEARCH OF SYMBOLISM

A guided tour of St. Oswald’s Church in Ashbourne. What does the inside of this impressive church tell us of times past? Looking at the interior fittings- such as monuments, stained glass and effigies- can raise questions as to the significance of colours, flowers and numbers. From green men to lambs, from wheat sheaves to serpents-what do they all represent? What stories are being told? What meanings are there in the symbols?

St. Oswald’s ‘the finest mere parish in the kingdom’ according to George Eliot does not disappoint (and for once we don’t have to worry about a tour in the rain!)

DATE / TIME: Thursday 4 July 2013 (11.00-12.30pm)

Meet outside the entrance to St Oswald’s Church ten minutes beforehand (if raining, just inside).

Booking and fees through Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre.

 

ILAM:‘The place where heaven and earth touch’.

A guided tour of the delightful estate village close to Dovedale, with a focus on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Ilam.

DATE / TIME: Saturday 6 July 2013 (11.00-12.30pm)

Meet: Outside Ilam National Trust Exhibition Rooms. Tour lasts approx.1hr 30 mins. Gentle walk but sturdy shoes advisable (can avoid steps if necessary). There are Tearooms, Car Park and Loos on site.

Booking and fees through Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre.



COURSES

The Great War: shattered illusions

In the Autumn of 1914, across continents, millions of men were volunteering to go to the ‘Great War.’ They set out with great anticipation and excitement. Many thought they would be back by Christmas. In the event it raged for over four years. The First World War involved up to 70 million combatants and witnessed the loss of nine million lives. The effects of the war were cataclysmic. Why was the war greeted with such enthusiasm?

We are now approaching the centenary of the outbreak of the war. This Course will explore the romanticised image of war on the run up to 1914 from the late Victorian period. We will then look at the shattered illusions experienced by many. In the words of Wilfred Owen our focus is ‘the pity of war’. We shall examine works of British art of the war and study the work of some of the soldier-poets. Finally, there will be a focus on WW1 Memorials. The Course will include a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield.

DATE/TIME The five Tuesdays of October 2013- 1/10; 8/10; 15/10; 22/10; 29/10. (11.00-1.00pm).
N.B. The all day fieldtrip will take place on Monday 21 October 2013.

VENUE All Saint’s Community Hall (Catholic Church), Belle Vue, Ashbourne.

Booking and fees through Derby W.E.A. (01332-291805) or email: derbyoffice@wea.org.uk

 

 

BOOK

Catherine Booth-‘The Mother of the Salvation Army ’

I am currently working on a book on the life and achievements of Catherine Booth. If you have relevant information of interest, I should be pleased to hear from you.