Previous speakers

2019 highlights

Liz Mitchell, - Weaving

Olivia Payne - An introduction to Oxfam's work and reflections from Bangladesh

Peggy Williamson - felt flowers workshop

Liz Woolley - Beer, Sausages and Marmalade

Louise Chantal - The Oxford Playhouse

Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Principal of Somerville College, Oxford - On the Shoulders of Giants

Peggy Seeger - First Time Ever

2020 highlights

Georgina Ferry - Dorothy Hodgkin, Scientist

Grape Minds - Wine!

Gillian Walnes Perry - the Legacy of Anne Frank

Sabita Banerji and THIRST - The International Roundtable for Sustainable Tea

Lucy Atkins, author and journalist

2021 highlights

Marie-Louise Kerr - Oxfordshire on Canvas

Jo May, percussionist - Spoons Workshop

Tess Taylor - the work of Tap Social

Jim Godfrey - Meadow Road and the plans to build a road through Christ Church meadow

Susan Roaf - Future-proofing your life in a changing climate

Annelie Talent - Beatrix Potter

Uncomfortable Oxford - Proctors and Prostitutes

Ballet night

Peggy Williamson - Christmas decorations workshop

2022 highlights

Tim Pocock - What is a Magistrate?

Fiona Whitehouse - The Ghent Altarpiece

Dr Marie Tidball - Representation of disabled people in the media

Andrew Billen - Author, journalist and staff writer on The Times newspaper

Richard O Smith - The Z-A of Oxford: 1000 Years of History in 26 Letters

Scientists from the UKAEA - Fusion: The Ultimate Energy Source

Marie-Louise Kerr - Curator without a Museum

Armaleggan Border Morris Dancers

2023 highlights

Dr Eleanor Parker- Winters in the World

Tom Seaward - Murder, Acrobats and the Home Secretary

Professor Dame Sue Black - The Real World of Forensic Anthropology

Dr Anna Railton - AI for WI

Tessa Rea - Articulate - Performance and Persuasion

Jane Fletcher - The Art of Giving

2024 highlights

Dr Ian Williams - Women, Wives and Witches in the Star Chamber

Andrew Hall - the History and Philosophy of Hairdressing

Kate Vigors, physiotherapist - Move beautifully for spinal health

Chrissie's Owls

Nic and Jo - Spring flowers demonstration

Julia Hollander - Why We Sing

Charles Foster - writer, naturalist, lawyer and lecturer

RETURN OF THE FAMOUS SOWI CEILIDH

with the OU Ceilidh Band

David Barber, Swan Marker to HM The King, aka the Chief Swan-Upper

2025 highlights

Anna Wheeler - From High Street to High Fashion, my knitwear journey

Simon Horobin - CS Lewis's Oxford

Diana Page - The History and Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Dave Gilbert - Air Ambulance

Evening guided walk with Liz Woolley

Peter Hague - Cliveden: Power, Politics & Scandal

Deborah Loudon - Maybe Minister - some experiences of giving policy advice...

Simon Mason - Anti-heroes and why we like them

Our 10th Birthday!

Very special guest, Dr George McGavin -

What have insects ever done for us?

THE ANNUAL SOWI CEILIDH

with The Oxford University Ceilidh Band

Hayley Scott - A Day in the Life of a Metropolitan Crime Scene Investigator

2026

Dave Lowe, ornithologist, on the

Hinksey Park Common Terns

February 17th - Greek Dancing with Ellie Stagoni