Hull Literary and Philosophical Society

Here at Hull Lit & Phil, we are taking a break for Christmas but we'll be back in January with another 7 talks with subjects including Doris Day, Aliens and Murder Mystery! In the meantime we would like to wish all members, guests and visiting speakers a Very Happy Christmas 🎄🎅

25th Nov From the Pillory to the Prison Cell Ginny Davis Ginny is a former practising barrister who has spent a lifetime in the law. Her talk charts the history of how criminals have been punished in England and Wales from the sixteenth century to the present day. @GuildhallHull

18 Nov The building of the Victorian model village of Saltaire Sir Titus Salt and the lives of his workers 1850 -1876 Maria Glot - In costume and character Maria's presentations are entertaining, amusing and historically accurate Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30pm @GuildhallHull

11th Nov The Hidden World of Canal History and Heritage Roger Butler Roger's talk is a introduction to our inland waterways… unusual architecture, heroic engineering, impressive lock flights, dark tunnels and lots of quirky features. Venue Hull Guildhall Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30

4 Nov The Price of Friendship Graham Lewis ‘The Price of Friendship’ is about the unlikely relationship between Christopher Sykes of Brantinghamthorpe Hall and Edward, the Prince of Wales, and explores the scandalous and risqué society they created. Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30

28 Oct. ‘It’s A Girl’s Life in the Army!’-Gillian Cane Gillian is a former soldier who was one of the earliest female recruits for training as an Army officer at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. She was the first woman to serve with The Royal Green Jackets. @GuildhallHull

You won't want to miss this! Tony Harris is Donald J Trump! Tuesday 21 October @GuildhallHull Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30 More at hull-litandphil.org.uk

A plaque commemorating Hull Lit and Phil's 200-year role in the cultural and educational development of the city has been unveiled in the Museums Quarter. Margaret Imrie and John Fagge, past presidents of the Lit & Phil, were there to oversee a long-held ambition achieved.

Under 2 weeks to go to the start of the new season! Oct 14: My Life as an Auctioneer-Charles Hanson Best known for his charismatic appearances on BBC shows such as Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30 @GuildhallHull

The 2025/26 Season starts on 14th October. We have a terrific series of 14 talks with subjects to appeal to everyone. The venue is @GuildhallHull and each 1 hour talk starts at 7.30pm prompt. Please visit our website for full information and membership details.

25th Feb Inn and Out at the Top Neil Hanson Neil's talk is a laugh-a-minute tour of the quirks and foibles of his time running Britain’s highest inn back in the 1970s and 1980s including tight-fisted farmers, eccentric characters, bizarre local customs and naturist weekends!

18th Feb The Calendar Girls Tricia Stewart Tricia Stewart is originator and driving force behind one the world’s most famous fundraisers ever. She created the Alternative WI Calendar, and was subsequently portrayed by Dame Helen Mirren in the film Calendar Girls. @GuildhallHull

11th Feb Older and Wider-Judith Holder Judith is a comedy writer, TV producer and podcaster. She originated the hugely successful BBC series and stage shows ‘Grumpy Old Women’ and hosts a weekly podcast ‘Older and Wider’ with her best friend and partner in crime Jenny Éclair.

We have had to make some unexpected changes in the published programme. 4th February: Flying with Diabetes - Douglas Cairns 11th February: Older and Wider - Judith Holder 18th February: Calendar Girl - Tricia Stewart 25th February: Inn and Out at the Top - Neil Hanson

4 Feb Flying with Diabetes: Douglas Cairns Douglas was a RAF jet flying instructor at the age of 25 when he was suddenly grounded by type 1 diabetes. However, his passion for flying continued in 2001 with a private pilot licence to fly with insulin treated diabetes in the USA.

A change to our published programme 25 Feb Tricia Stewart - Calendar Girl Tricia Stewart is originator and driving force behind one the world's most famous fundraisers ever. She created the Alternative WI Calendar, to go on to be a film and a stage musical. @GuildhallHull

28 Jan: Locations of Danger or Delight? - Dr Ruth Larsen This talk explores the ways in which elite women wrote about the garden in the period 1600-1830, and how they negotiated the reputation of the garden as a location for male desires. @GuildhallHull

Still to come at Hull Lit & Phil... 28 Jan: Locations of Danger or Delight? - Dr Ruth Larsen 4th Feb: Flying with Diabetes - Douglas Cairns 11 Feb: Older and Wider - Judith Holder 18 Feb: Inn and Out at the Top - Neil Hanson 25 Feb: Expedition Cyclops: West Papua - James Kempton

21 Jan - 7.30pm Prof David Drewry - Nets, Nylon and Nurdles: flotsam and jetsam in our oceans. Tens of millions of trash items are drawn into giant swirling currents in the World’s Oceans. Where do they come from? Where are they going? What harm will they do? @GuildhallHull

21 Jan - 7.30pm In a change to our published programme we welcome back Prof David Drewry - Nets, Nylon and Nurdles: flotsam and jetsam in our oceans. David Drewry is a world leading expert on the environment and study of the polar regions. @GuildhallHull