Lectures 2019/20 Membership Year 2020 We have decided to cancel the April & May lectures and the AGM. The Wightwick Manor trip is also cancelled. Please keep checking back with the web site as we will publish further announcements as decisions are made. 11 JUNE TIM REDMOND A TOUR OF BIG BEN Big Ben is one of the most iconic buildings in the world – it identifies the UK and democracy in the Western world. But there is a lot more to this tower than the beautiful external gothic architecture; and Tim will prove this to you. Using stunning images, he will take you on a virtual tour of the interior, saving you the effort of climbing 334 spiral stairs. He will explain the historical background and discuss the friction between the often controversial personalities involved in the building and designing of the tower. Tim will then take you behind those magnificent clock faces; show and explain the workings of the enormous clock mechanism; before finally taking you into the belfry and presenting before you – Big Ben, the most famous bell in the world! After all that excitement Tim will ensure you safely descend the stairs ready for your well-earned cup of tea! Engraving of the second 'Big Ben', taken from The Illustrated News of the World, December 4 1858