Illustrated talks by Roger Evans
Do you need a guest speaker for a forthcoming meeting? If so, Roger
Evans may have a talk to meet your needs. Roger, author of
"Bridgwater - with and without the 'e'" and "Forgotten
Heroes", has a range of talks available, with or without slides.
An active carnivalite all of his life, Roger's first publication was
"A visitors guide to Bridgwater Carnival". This became a local
best seller for many months as indeed did his next work on Bridgwater.
"Bridgwater - with and without the 'e'" was published in
November 1994 with two subsequent reprints, such is its popularity. His
latest publication is "Forgotten Heroes", released in February
2000. This will be followed by Somerset Ghost Stories and 'Blame it on
the cider'.
Roger has toured in the United States visiting and lecturing at many
of the Bridgewaters over there and is well known around his home county
of Somerset where he features regularly on the lecture circuit.
A full list of subjects available is attached. Please drop him a line
if you would like to book one of these talks or contact us on one of the
telephone numbers above.
To make a booking, please contact :
Roger Evans, 9 Sussex Close, Bridgwater, Somerset Email evansroger@lineone.net
Illustrated talks currently available
Perhaps the most popular of the talks currently available. Well
illustrated with scenes from the turn of the century, this talk takes a
light hearted look at all parts of Bridgwater with tales of its
characters, riots in the streets, the old cattle market and the many
streets as they used to be in the days of yesteryear. It also covers how
it all began for Bridgwater, how Bridgwater might have looked a thousand
years ago and what life was like in the castle. In addition, we take a
look at Bridgwater's maritime past and see some of the ships which were
built here, some to carry emigrants to the New World. And we answer the
most inevitable of all Bridgwater questions - why is there no 'e' in the
name!
How did it all begin and why does Bridgwater have the world's
largest illuminated carnival. The origins and growth of our world famous
carnival are explained with light hearted anecdotes of some of the
characters from the past. What goes on behind the scenes before and on
carnival day itself? Find out and take a look at some of the most
spectacular entries in this phenomenal event. Roger was born into a
carnival family, made his first appearance at the age of 4 and has been
involved ever since. A founder of one of our local clubs, a former
chairman of Bridgwater Carnival and now a senior judge, Roger is able to
provide an entertaining and informative talk on the world largest
illuminated carnival.
The hidden jewel in Bridgwater's crown and one of its best kept
secrets. This illustrated talk shows the interior and exterior of this
fascinating 500 year old house in the grounds of the local Cellophane
plant, previously a manor estate with a thousand years of history. The
house has been home to many a noteworthy and interesting character. Its
owners chose the wrong side in the Civil War and got it wrong again in
the Monmouth Rebellion. There are links with the Spanish Armada and even
Errol Flynn! Is it any wander it boasts a most persistent and almost
predictable ghost?
This talk starts with a look at Bridgwater's markets and street fairs
in the mediaeval times and then takes a closer look at Bridgwater fair
as it was and as it survives today. This talk includes tales of the man
who sold his wife at the fair, another who hired himself out to a
Stogumber farmer only to later discover how the villagers there had
married him off without him knowing. Then there's the strong man with
his 'potency enhancing elixir' and world famous boxers. This is a
humorous look at one of Europe's largest travelling fairs.
This is another subject on which Roger is well qualified to talk. Having
grown up next to the market, he was introduced to the ways of the
showmen at a tender age, his father having travelled with the fair as a
boxer and wrestler.
A look at eight Bridgewaters, all with the extra 'e', in the United
States. In August, 1996, Roger and his wife Lorna and nine year old son
Gavin, visited eight Bridgewaters 'over there'. The towns all derive
from the Somerset original and yet are so different. These namesakes
boast black bears where we have squirrels, moose where we have deer, ski
resorts, battlegrounds from the Indian Wars and Civil War and even a
prison for the criminally insane (including the famous Boston
Strangler). See how the other half live!
Roger's latest publication has a large cast of Bridgwater's forgotten
heroes. Hear of Bridgwater's military heroes, the man who captured a
Russian Gun in the Charge of the Light Brigade and the Captain at the
Battle of Trafalgar. Then there's the Bridgwater lad shot in the Boer
War to appease the German government and the Sydenham man who helped
postpone the Spanish Armada and another on the Bridge on the River Kwai.
And we mustn't forget the man who founded South Australia's largest wine
producers and the man who invented the first waterproof. And the ladies
have their claims to fame with Sarah Biffin who, born with no arms or
hands, became a miniature painter patronised by the royal family and
Lady Crystabella Wyndham of Bridgwater Castle who opened a few eyes in
the English Civil War!
Humorous and tragic tales from bygone Sedgemoor where we can blame it
on the cider. Hence reminiscences of growing up in the days of cider
orchards mixed with tales of the unexpected and many sensational affairs
which would once have hit the headlines. And it can all be blamed on the
cider!
Real life stories of supernatural experiences - ghostly spirits,
moving furniture, strange encounters. True stories of the paranormal and
all within a few miles of where we live. It's fact not fiction in this
talk which prompts most audiences to 'confess' their own experiences.
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