John Michael Corfe
1. Napoleon et moi. The story of how a serendipitous find, led to the rediscovery of education and changed a man’s life – the speaker's! This talk presents quite a different perception of the Napoleon Bonaparte whom we were all taught to despise.
2. The Duke of Reichstadt. The poignant story of Napoleon II. Raised by his father’s enemies and taught initially to speak of his father as ‘the enemy’. A very sensitive young man who, just ten years after his father’s death on St Helena, was to meet a mysterious death at the early age of 32.
3. ‘F.E.’ Smith (Lord Birkenhead). Inspired by a wonderful talk given by His Honour Judge Richard Hamilton, which fired the present speaker to pursue the story in pictures from Birkenhead School to Liverpool and Oxford Universities. ‘FE’ became England’s most successful barrister and ultimately Lord Chancellor.
4. Emma, Lady Hamilton – A Reassessment. The remarkable tale of how ‘history’ has unjustly and badly maligned this very beautiful, kindly and extraordinarily talented young woman. The story takes us from her simple beginnings in Ness near Neston on the Wirral peninsula through London, Paris and Naples to Sicily and thence on through Austria and Germany back to England and Wales and eventually to Calais. From pauper to ambassadress, she was a devoted and much-cherished friend to a queen, a superb hostess, a wife and a lover, the story takes us through her vilification by an ungrateful nation to her distressing end in a return to poverty. (Probably best given with a comfort break)
5. Hilda Gamlin. A Birkenhead lady, Hilda bravely attempted to correct history’s injustice to Lady Hamilton in her book ‘Emma Lady Hamilton – an old story retold’. Sadly Hilda took up the cudgels from the wrong angle. She also wrote ‘A History of Old Birkenhead’, ‘Twixt Mersey and Dee’, ‘The Life of George Romney’ and ‘Nelson’s friendships’. Familiar scenes in Wallasey and Birkenhead feature in this presentation.
6. Creation of a Garden (or Casting Greenhouses on the Waters) How the purchase of a piece of land led to the creation of two gardens and a great deal of satisfaction for many folks.
7. Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot. Revisiting the locations and lifetime of Harry B. Neilson, author of ‘Auld Lang Syne’. 19th & 21st C in Bidston and areas of Birkenhead.
8. Visiting the Victory. The speaker had to visit this ship during his researches for talks on Napoleon, Nelson and Emma, Lady Hamilton. One does not need to be a mariner to get the feel of the intensely hard life of the press-ganged seamen of the 18th and 19th centuries.
9. Descendants of Emma and Nelson. This talk answers a few of the questions that are always raised after the speaker’s talk on Emma, Lady Hamilton.
10. China Farm Story. The mayor of Liverpool marries a farmer’s daughter and builds a house close to her ancient family home. His friends included associates of Josiah Wedgwood and they produced a plaque to commemorate the marriage. All happening in West Kirby in 1753!
11. Doctor Livingstone, I presume. Henry Morton Stanley - Giant or monster? A man of his time but with unacceptable views and attitudes in today’s world.
12. A Walk in Rome. All roads lead to Rome - but why? This visit to the eternal city is a tourist’s delight because it looks at a little of the history, the architecture, the style and the bezazz that makes up modern Rome and the Romans.
13. Walking Florence -The city not a lady! A pictorial introduction to Florence, which helps make any potential visitor get a feel for this magical city and its wealth of art. The journey takes one through brief visits to Uffizi, Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Bargello, The Piazza Signoria and Republica. Useful tips on making savings can also be gleaned.
14. Looking at Lucca. An interesting visit to the birthplace of Puccini. A walled city that has much to offer and is probably the best ‘taster’ to potential lovers of Tuscany
01745 585 110
All talks are generously illustrated with Powerpoint projection.
Own projector and screen are supplied.