ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK

EVENTS

The Heritage of Torbay - 8 Friday afternoon lectures by John Risdon

13 Feb

Torre Abbey - Learning Lab

The present day communities surrounding Torbay have developed and adapted over literally thousands of years. We live in a unique area of the country for which we have to thank our diverse and complex geology and our geography. Together they have sculpted a landscape & seascape of immense variety and beauty.

Our first inhabitants took up residence within the caves surrounding the bay, of which, Kent's Cavern, today has worldwide recognition. That was only the beginning! From the first simple settlements to villages, farmsteads and finally to the towns of the 21st century, geography and the intricate paths of history have shaped the varied communities who today live around the waters of the bay.

Although situated many miles from the capital, Torbay and its people have played a considerable role in the development of not only Britain but Europe and the world as a whole.

Starting with our earliest inhabitants in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, you will explore Saxon feudal Devon, the Vikings, Normans, Tudors, Civil War, Nelson’s Navy and finally Torquay’s metamorphosis into the Victorian and Edwardian resort that we see around us today.  This Course will allow you to participate in this journey and hopefully provide fulfilment and a greater understanding of where we have come from and why.

You can either pay £40 for the full course of 8 lectures or you you can pay £6.00 per lecture (£48)

Lecture times:

2.00 -3.00 pm -  lecture

3.00 -3.30 pm  - tea break in cafe (tea / coffee & cake £3.95)

3.30 - 4.30 pm  - lecture continues

Lecture  Dates and Topics

Fri 6 Feb        Understanding Torbay’s Geological Roots

                          Geological structure and relevance of the English Riviera Geopark.

Fri 13 Feb      Pre-History; earliest Immigrants and inhabitants

    Stone Age through to Bronze, Iron Age, Romans and Saxons

Fri 20 Feb      The Birth of Our Communities

    Saxon feudal Devon, the Vikings followed by Norman Conquest

Fri 27 Feb      Tudor Expansion

    The Sea Dogs of Devon

Fri  6 Mar        Anarchy and Dominance

     From Civil War, piracy and 'open house' to the authority of              Nelson’s navy (created by J Jervis, Earl of St Vincent)

Fri 13 Mar       Victorian Torquay

      Social, industrial and technical advancements of a refined resort

Fri 20 Mar       Victorian Paignton & Brixham

      Development of contrasting communities.

Fri 27 Mar        Edwardian Torbay and the Birth of Modern Tourism

 

After Easter John plans to run three guided walks linked to the lectures in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham 

(dates to be decided in discussion with the group)  

 

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE ABBEY OR ONLINE

- See more at: http://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/events/details/29/the-heritage-of-torbay-8-friday-afternoon-lectures#sthash.D019T60i.dpuf





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