Local Studies Day to Feature a Packed Programme of History Highlights - The Box, Plymouth

By: Jo Clarke
Added: 25 February 2017

The programme for this year’s Local Studies Day has been revealed with a packed day of presentations that celebrate and explore the city’s maritime, social and archival heritage.

Tickets are now available for the popular annual event, which is set to take place on Saturday 6 May at the Robbins Conference Centre. Running from 8.45am to 4.30pm and featuring a range of local history experts and authors, it will act as the official start of this year‘s Plymouth History Festival.

Local Studies Day starts with a news and project update from the city’s Arts and Heritage Service. Attendees can expect updates about the Museum and Art Gallery’s ‘On Tour’ programme, new public art initiatives and the progress of the History Centre.

Giles Chichester will then reflect on his father’s Francis’ Devon roots and highlight some lesser-known aspects of his life as part of the build-up to the 50^th anniversary of the completion of his famous round the world voyage in 1967.

Plymouth historian Chris Robinson returns with a fresh look at the local area as seen through a wide variety of 19^th century camera lenses.

Dr Ian Hodgins will then keep attendees entertained with ‘Dead Interesting’ - stories of life and death relating to some of the more interesting residents of the city’s Ford Park Cemetery.

In the ‘Time Traveller’s Guide to Restoration Britain’ historian and best-selling Dr Ian Mortimer journeys back to the 1660-1699 period and explore what life was really like in the age of King Charles II.

Devon based Musicians Andy Clarke and Sam Richards present songs about local and stories of song collecting and collectors in ‘Strolling Round the Hoe’.

Stacey Anderson from the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) highlights our relationship with the sea and coast with some specially selected footage from SWFTA as well as stills from the South West Image Bank.

Mark Tosdevin, Programmes Manager for the Arts and Heritage Service said: “The talks on this year’s programme will take people from the Restoration, through the Victorian era, to the late 1960s when Sir Francis Chichester sailed into Plymouth Sound after his epic solo voyage. With music, photography and film as well this year’s Local Studies Day promises to be a great day out for anyone with an interest in or enthusiasm for history.”

Tickets for Local Studies Day are on sale now and are priced at £14 per person (if you book by 16 April). An optional buffet lunch is also available at £10 per person. Bookings can be made via www.lsd2017.eventbrite.co.uk

Ends

Notes for editors:

For more information, photographs or interview opportunities call Jo Clarke on 01752 306228 or email jo.clarke@plymouth.gov.uk.

Local Studies Day is jointly organised by Plymouth City Council and the Old Plymouth Society, with the support of Plymouth University’s Peninsula Arts.