Lectures, film shows and talks (Updated to 3 Apr 2008)
See also list of my Photographic exhibition displays
This page gives basic details of the talks and demonstrations already prepared, and publicly given. I have a digital projector and the curent list below are all digital shows. As I also have an extensive collection of 35 mm slides covering the pre-2006 period bespoke slide based shows can be prepared on request. .
Recorded music - The AV's and films listed below incorporate copyright music legitimately "dubbed" under the IAC scheme. They are available for public showing. The terms of my licence allow unlimited showing to PAGB affiliated camera and video club audiences through the licence scheme used and a small number of other showings per annum/per title.
Subjects already prepared
My prepared / in hand titles are listed below together with their availability for bookings as at 3 Nov 2006:-
Subject - Railway history (general)
Steam and Freedom. Linking my varied interests in history, film production, photography and music "Steam and Freedom" covers the history of railways using a combination of narrative, music and photography. The viewer is taken from the earliest beginnings in pre-history, through the steam age to today's privatised commercial network. As the title suggests, special reference is made to the part played in that history by the steam locomotive and the way that the availability of steam powered transport gave freedom of movement to the masses. As many myths, legends and falsehoods surround George Stephenson's life the feature also includes a substantial biographical section on the man generally regarded as the "Father of Railways".
This completed project has a run time of 1hr 30 mins with a half time break. The second edition has been shown previously. A third edition is current work in progress. This is expected to debut at Kidderminster in March 2007.
The show was originally created in PowerPoint and is therefore available for digital projection or large/multiple PC screen showing.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
Subject - Railway history (Whitby & Pickering Railway / North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
35mm slide & talk version - I prepared this talk and 35mm slide show in early 1999 for Dorset Scope. It covers the history of the Whitby & Pickering Railway from inception in the 1830s and runs through to today with the operation of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It is 200 slides in length covering both modern and archive black and white photographs. (Still available but superceded see below) Availability - No music so no restrictions on showing.
The Heartbeat Railway - Replacement for the above show. DVD based version for digital projection, TV Screen or large/multiple PC screen version. The history of the Whitby & Pickering Railway which opened in 1836, and the area it runs through. Run time 1hr 30 with half time break.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
NYMR Sampler version - Shortened DVD version of the with above with no commentary. A mix of video footage and stills taking you on a journey along the line from Whitby to Pickering/ Soundtrack is either the original video soundtrack or dubbed music. Run time 30 minutes. The music used on this DVD is copyright free for non-commercial use.
Available for all "hobby club" audiences etc.
Subject - Railways (Miscellaneous) Back to page top
New in 2008 - A walk past the brickworks - with this talk I look back over my 40+ years of line side railway photography using my extensive collection of photographs. (Debuted with two showings - Feb 2008) Availablity - No music so no restrictions on showing.
Next booked showing - Sat 8 Nov 2008 - Stephenson Loco Soc. Kidderminster.
A transport miscellany No 2 - A 45 minute film covering a range of transport subjects. This together with "A sizzle of steam" replaced "A Railway Miscellany" for 2007 although the above is still available. Includes coverage of diesel, electric and steam trains on the main line and on preserved railways. Also included are miniature railways, the Hythe Pier tramway and shipping in the Solent incluing the Queen Mary 2. The working beam engines at Crofton on the Kennet & Avon canal are featured too as are the electric trams at Seaton in Devon. Availability - No music so no restrictions on showing.
A sizzle of steam - A 45 minute film showing steam in action at various locations in the UK and with locomotives from of the "big four" and the later BR standard classes. Locomotives featured are 71000 Duke of Gloucester, 80078, 34028 Eddystone, Sentinel road charabanc "Elizabeth", 45407,60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, SR Class S15 825 and GWR 2-6-2T 5164. Availability - No music so no restrictions on showing.
Down the line from Waterloo - Run time 47 minutes. A look at the lines from Waterloo to the west finishing at Weymouth. The music used in this is copyright free for non-commercial use. Available for all "hobby club" audiences etc.
The following series of DVD samplers also supplement the 35mm slide show "Railway Miscellany" as well as being run as part of my main exhibition stand.
DVD Sampler 1 - Sampler 1 was completed in 2005 and has been shown regularly since at model railway exhibitions. It incorporates the NYMR sampler, Orion's Return to steam, Weymouth and a short section of 0-6-0T locomotive 1501 on the Severn Valley Railway. The music used on this DVD is copyright free for non-commercial use. Available for all "hobby club" audiences etc.
DVD Samplers 2 & 3 - Now also available.
35mm slide show - "A Railway Miscellany". Withdrawn - now replaced by A walk past the brickworks and the other titles as listed above.
Subject - General photographic subjects
A British Perambulation - A 35mm slides based talk featuring a tour of Great Britain. Availablity - No music so no restrictions on showing.
A Compact collection - a selection of railway photographs which had been taken on comapct 35mm or digital cameras to show that an SLR is not a pre-requisite for producing effective railway photographs. Availability - No music so no restrictions on showing.
Colours of the wind - The Disney song from Pocahontas is a powerful message for the environment. Set here to pictures. (Completed) Run time – 4mins : 17 sec's.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
From Brownie to pixel - A roughly forty year retrospective look at my photographic work from summer 1962 to early 2004. Looks at changes in photography, publishing, transport and life in general over the period. Run time approximately 90 minutes with half time break.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
Following the stones - (Film competition length version) A short look at the battlefield memorials of Flanders and the part played by Portland Stone. Words and music. (Initial version completed) Run time is currently 12 minutes as it was produced to fit a film competition length requirement. NB - To be slightly lengthened with an introduction for future general audience showing.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
Ten go to Venice - (Jointly with Stella New) A short weekend in Venice at Carnival time. 15 minutes long featuring the masked and costumed Carnivalers! Pictures and music. The music used is copyright free for non-commercial use. Available for all "hobby club" audiences etc
Tolpuddle Man - Approx four minutes. Graham Moore’s acclaimed song “Tolpuddle Man” about the Tolpuddle Martyrs set to music.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
Subject - Northern England in music and pictures
A Northumbrian Snapshot - A full digital A/V presentation covering the country between the Humber and the Tweed. It has already been premiered with a current 25 min run time. My intention is to add further sections to extend the run time by a further ten to fifteen minutes. Expected premier date of lengthened version - delayed.
- Availability for 2008 = All dates/ venues currently available.
- Availability for 2009 = All dates/ venues currently available.
Subject - Miscellaneous (Withdrawn)
Get your club onto the net without significant cost. A basic introduction to what you need to get your club or society onto the net, the available free/cheap resources and a look at simple page design and the vital topic of search engines. Based around a "Powerpoint" presentation. Withdrawn - now obsolete.
Subjects - in course of preparation
Orion's return to steam. The Stephenson Locomotive Society's miniature "live steam" locomotive Orion was returned to steam in April 2005. A short film about the locomotive was prepared as a draft version and is included on DVD Sampler No 1 (See above). Final launch date - unconfirmed at present.
Railways of York - A look at the history of this fascinating rail centre. (NB this will mirror "The Yorkshire selection" photographic exhibition which is made its debut at the York Model Railway Show over Easter 2008.
Alongside singing rails - A second look back over my 40+ years of line side railway photography using my extensive collection of still photography and video material. (No target date set but likely to be available to debut over 2008/9 winter talks season)