8/5 "Shropshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Shrewsbury Column TG
6/6 "Warwickshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Studley WI
12/6 "Worcestershire Cakes & Ale Trail"- Bromsgrove WI
14/6 "Warwickshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Leamington Probus
18/6 "Shropshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Shawbury WI
19/6 "Hadrian & the Pork Scratchings" - Shifnal TG
26/6 'Warwickshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Sutton Coldfield 50+
Availability
I am currently able to offer the following talks to groups of 10 to 100 people (or more, if necessary). Contact me at bobbibby@btinternet.com or phone 0044-(0)1746-768956 (home) or 0044-(0)7932-904905 (mobile).
Hadrian and the Pork Scratchings
In 122 AD, the mighty Emperor Hadrian set sail from Rome to reach his northernmost kingdom, Britain. Here he decided to build the Wall that forever after has borne his name – a barrier to keep the woad-painted Jocks in Jockland. That Wall has been the source of investigation and enquiry ever since.
How was it built? Who built it? How was it guarded? Who by? And what was this mighty Emperor Hadrian like? Find out as I take you on a magical journey in the footsteps of Hadrian to visit the forts on the Wall, to see what history has made of it, and to discover the truth about Hadrian.
Did you know that:
- the Romans invaded Britain in order to discover the secret of pork scratchings?
- the reason Hadrian built the Wall was to stop the Scots importing woad into England illegally?
- the Romans built straight roads to stop their soldiers going round the bend?
“Another wonderful, witty and informative evening.”
Special Offa
The 177-mile walk following the line of Offa’s Dyke between Wales and England was my toughest challenge to date. Why did 8th century King Offa, Lord of the West Midlands, build his famous dyke? How much still stands?
To find out, join me on an extended pub crawl between Chepstow and Prestatyn and meet “Ozzie” Osbern of Chepstow Castle, the original Hound of the Baskervilles in Kington, Kilvert the Pervert, William Spooner (or Spilliam Wooner) of Oswestry, the Daleks of Llangollen, and many, many more.
Discover the truth about the site of Arthur’s last battle, why Near Earth Objects are rather worrying, what the Welshwomen did to the dead bodies after the Battle of Pilleth, what Nelson was up to in Monmouth, and the origins of the V-sign.
Join my journey, share my blisters and laugh at my discomfitures - you know you’ll enjoy it!
“Makes me laugh out loud.”
The Shropshire Cakes & Ale Trail
The Shropshire Cakes and Ale Trail is a 100-mile journey through the glorious countryside of southern Shropshire. It takes you from Bridgnorth down the River Severn and across country to Cleobury Mortimer, then over Titterstone Clee to Ludlow and on via Bury Ditches hillfort to the Saxon town of Clun. A trip along Offa’s Dyke then follows to take you into Bishop’s Castle and then over Stiperstones and the Long Mynd to Church Stretton. Over Wenlock Edge you go into Much Wenlock and then a return to Bridgnorth.
Join me on a journey through geography and history and meet the first Englishman to learn Chinese, the poet-postman of Cleobury Mortimer, the Kremlinologists of Clee Hill, the rare chickens of Wernlas, “Old Moore” and many, many others. And find out about some of Shropshire’s finest pubs and cafes.
A rib-tickling and entertaining journey is guaranteed and you’ll never have to leave your seat!
“Downright excellent entertainment”
10/9 "Hadrian & the Pork Scratchings" - Kinver Rotary
11/9 "Shropshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Wolverhampton Friendship Group
12/9 "Worcestershire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Belbroughton History Soc
17/9 "Murder & Mayhem" - Horsehay TG
19/9 "Warwickshire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Nifty Fifties
27/9 "Worcestershire Cakes & Ale Trail" - Bridgnorth Ladies Lunch Club
Availability
I am currently able to offer the following talks to groups of 10 to 100 people (or more, if necessary). Contact me at bobbibby@btinternet.com or phone 0044-(0)1746-768956 (home) or 0044-(0)7932-904905 (mobile).
Hadrian and the Pork Scratchings
In 122 AD, the mighty Emperor Hadrian set sail from Rome to reach his northernmost kingdom, Britain. Here he decided to build the Wall that forever after has borne his name – a barrier to keep the woad-painted Jocks in Jockland. That Wall has been the source of investigation and enquiry ever since.
How was it built? Who built it? How was it guarded? Who by? And what was this mighty Emperor Hadrian like? Find out as I take you on a magical journey in the footsteps of Hadrian to visit the forts on the Wall, to see what history has made of it, and to discover the truth about Hadrian.
Did you know that:
- the Romans invaded Britain in order to discover the secret of pork scratchings?
- the reason Hadrian built the Wall was to stop the Scots importing woad into England illegally?
- the Romans built straight roads to stop their soldiers going round the bend?
“Another wonderful, witty and informative evening.”
Special Offa
The 177-mile walk following the line of Offa’s Dyke between Wales and England was my toughest challenge to date. Why did 8th century King Offa, Lord of the West Midlands, build his famous dyke? How much still stands?
To find out, join me on an extended pub crawl between Chepstow and Prestatyn and meet “Ozzie” Osbern of Chepstow Castle, the original Hound of the Baskervilles in Kington, Kilvert the Pervert, William Spooner (or Spilliam Wooner) of Oswestry, the Daleks of Llangollen, and many, many more.
Discover the truth about the site of Arthur’s last battle, why Near Earth Objects are rather worrying, what the Welshwomen did to the dead bodies after the Battle of Pilleth, what Nelson was up to in Monmouth, and the origins of the V-sign.
Join my journey, share my blisters and laugh at my discomfitures - you know you’ll enjoy it!
“Makes me laugh out loud.”
The Shropshire Cakes & Ale Trail
The Shropshire Cakes and Ale Trail is a 100-mile journey through the glorious countryside of southern Shropshire. It takes you from Bridgnorth down the River Severn and across country to Cleobury Mortimer, then over Titterstone Clee to Ludlow and on via Bury Ditches hillfort to the Saxon town of Clun. A trip along Offa’s Dyke then follows to take you into Bishop’s Castle and then over Stiperstones and the Long Mynd to Church Stretton. Over Wenlock Edge you go into Much Wenlock and then a return to Bridgnorth.
Join me on a journey through geography and history and meet the first Englishman to learn Chinese, the poet-postman of Cleobury Mortimer, the Kremlinologists of Clee Hill, the rare chickens of Wernlas, “Old Moore” and many, many others. And find out about some of Shropshire’s finest pubs and cafes.
A rib-tickling and entertaining journey is guaranteed and you’ll never have to leave your seat!
“Downright excellent entertainment”
The Worcestershire Cakes & Ale Trail
The Worcestershire Cakes and Ale Trail is a 100-mile journey through the splendid countryside of Worcestershire. Beginning in the spa town of Great Malvern, it takes you over the Malverns via Knightwick, Martley and the Teme Valley to Tenbury Wells, before returning south to Georgian Bewdley. Crossing the River Severn the journey leads you to the ancient salt town of Droitwich Spa before heading south to the plum town of Pershore and the delights of Bredon Hill. Finally it's across country to Upton-upon-Severn and then the circle is completed via the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Beacons back to Great Malvern.
Join me on a tour of geography and history and meet some dodgy vicars, a parson with a folly, the founder of anaesthesia, and an unusual Victoria Cross holder, travel through Elgar’s and the Led Zeppelin drummer’s haunts, discover the secrets in some ancient churches, and find out about some of Worcestershire’s finest pubs and cafes.
Another highly entertaining and amusing journey is guaranteed and you’ll never have to leave your seat!
"A splendid and fascinating talk."
The Warwickshire Cakes and Ale Trail
The Warwickshire Cakes and Ale Trail is a 100 mile ramble through the middle of England in Shakespeare’s Warwickshire. Beginning in the Bard’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon the route journeys along the Avon and Arrow Rivers to the Roman town of Alcester, then north to Studley and cross-country via Ullenhall to the mile-long street of history that is Henley-in-Arden. The route leads next to Kenilworth, where Robert Dudley's Castle awaits, and then south
via Mercian Offchurch to the many-pubbed village of Harbury before climbing over the Burton Dassett hills and circling the perimeter of the Battle of Edgehill to come into Kineton. A further southern jaunt takes walkers down the Vale of Tysoe to the lovely Cotswold town of Shipston-on-Stour, then it's back via Ilmington and Long Marston to Stratford-upon-Avon.Another entertaining and informative journey is guaranteed and you’ll never have to leave your seat!
"Shall there be no more cakes and ale?" (Sir Toby Belch)
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