Talks & Performances Available
If you would like to book us for any of the talks listed below or put on a display of artefacts, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us: fielddetectives@talktalk.net
The money received from the talks and performances is ploughed back into the Field Detectives Investigations.
25 YEARS OF TIME TRAVEL - EVERY FIELD TELLS A STORY
The talk is given by Richard Pincott.
25 years in the blink of an eye. That’s how it feels when I take a look over my shoulder to see how far we have travelled. From 1999 to 2024 we have journeyed through time surveying fields and investigating the history of our local landscapes. There have been many artefacts of interest, many highs, and many lows, but the treasure has and always will be, the stories the fields can tell. Our talk will lead you through those 25 years of discovery and introduce you to some of the investigations that we embarked upon. We think you will be amazed; as we always say, Every Field Tells a Story.
Audience feedback - "He's like a male Mary Beard!"
THE DEMISE OF RICHARD THOMAS PARKER
The talk is given by Catherine Pincott-Allen (a.k.a. Emmaline Severn) who is a family descendant of the perpetrator.
Parker was the last man to be publicly hanged in Nottingham in 1864. His crime? the murder of his mother at Fiskerton, Nottinghamshire. After hearing the true facts leading up to his felonious crime you will have the chance to decide his fate. Would a modern-day jury come to the same verdict?
More about Parker, his family and his demise can be found in the book, written by Catherine under the name Emmaline Severn, which is available here.
Audience feedback - "It should be made into a film"
THE HACKER FAMILY OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
& THE SEARCH FOR STATHERN HALL
The talk is given by Catherine Pincott-Allen and Richard Pincott.
Nottinghamshire in the 16th and 17th centuries was home to the wealthy and powerful Hacker family. Colonel Francis Hacker is a name that continues to evoke deep emotion within anyone who explores the events that unfolded during the bloody and brutal period in British history known as ‘The Protectorate’ – when Oliver Cromwell ruled supreme and a King lost his head.
The talk helps to dispel many of the myths and legends surrounding the Hacker family tree. We also tell you about the Field Detectives' progress in the search for Stathern Hall - the long-lost home of Francis Hacker.
Much more about the Hacker family can be found in Catherine's book, 'A Further Account of the Hacker Family', which is available here.
Feedback - "This investigation helped to save a church tower"
PERFORMANCE
KING KILLER - THE TRIAL OF COLONEL FRANCIS HACKER
A ghostly introduction to the trial!
Francis was the custodian of the Death Warrant, signed the order to the executioner and was on the scaffold when King Charles I had his head removed from his body. On the return of the monarchy, Francis was tried and convicted for the part he played in the execution of Charles I. He paid the ultimate price and was hanged from the Tyburn gallows on Tuesday 19th October 1660.
But did he get a fair trial?
You will hear the evidence laid against Francis, learn about the events leading up to his trial, witness the trial itself, become judge and jury and then cast your verdict.
WHAT WILL YOU DECIDE?
Works best with larger audience participation in a church setting or small performance venues.
NEW TALK
THE HISTORY OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AND THEIR PRECEPTORY AT SOUTH WITHAM
This talk is given by Peter Ball.
Let us introduce you to one of the most important Knights Templar sites in Europe. The preceptory at South Witham, In Lincolnshire, is the only monument of its type in this country to have been extensively excavated. Aileen and Peter were part of the archaeological excavation team, and they will share their experiences on site and tell the story about the founding of the preceptory sometime before 1164, and what happened after it was abandoned in the early 14th century. It was an adventure of a lifetime!
Peter's book is available here
