Sandy Leong is a historian, with a gift for storytelling that brings history to life. As a qualified teacher, teaching in schools, colleges, and as a guest lecturer at universities, in the UK and Far East. She is married to a Malaysian and has spent time living and working in the Far East, giving her a privileged opportunity to get to know that part of the world.

She is involved in various educational projects ranging from leading a European team to develop teaching materials on inter-cultural communication; researching and writing materials on the impact on older people living longer and working longer to delivering training on public speaking to people across Africa.

She is a published author, writing on personal development topics. She demonstrates her deep personal commitment to improving people’s lives through education and by bringing communities together including by learning from those who have gone before, with various roles, including as chairperson of the board of trustees of a large charity.

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ON THE VIKING TRAIL

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These talks cover the breadth of the raiding, trading, settling, across Europe and beyond, also how they lived and what they believed in. Below is a selection of my Viking talks, please contact me for the full list.

From the Fury of the Vikings Deliver Us
For 300 years the Vikings took the northern world by storm. In search of land, slaves, gold and silver, brave warriors and explorers set sail from Scandinavia. The speed and daring of the Vikings was legendary and Christian monks wrote with horror about violent raids on monasteries and towns. Come and find out about when the Vikings came to the England and what they got up to.

Bitter is the Wind Tonight
This is the first line of an old Irish poem hoping that the wind is too strong for a Viking attack… it probably sums up the hopes of others living on the islands around the British coast. However it wasn’t all about raiding it was also about trading and settling. Dublin was founded as a Viking centre for trade, and Orkney, Shetland and the Isle of Man became desirable real estate for Vikings.

Vikings in Western Europe
The growing political instability in Frankia from the 830's allowed the Vikings to move from being nuisances to establishing themselves. This is the story the about attacks on Noirmontier, Rouen and even Paris; of Vikings attacking and occupying Normandy; sailing to Spain, Portugal and Italy, and even as far as North Africa. It's an exciting story about Ragnor Lodbok's sons and Rollo the Walker.

Beyond the Edge of the World
There was an island called Thule named by an ancient Greek who said it was 6 days sail north of Britain. This is referred to as early as 330BC. He was probably talking about northern Norway but the name stuck until the Vikings found the land and called it Iceland and made it a successful settlement for men wanting to better themselves.

Greenland - Viking PR
Greenland was settled from Iceland, carrying on a family tradition of getting into trouble and having to leave a country. It begins with the story of Eric the Red, a man with a temper who was exiled from Iceland and 'discovered' Greenland. It also includes the story of his son Leif the Lucky finding North America.

Halfdan was 'Ere - Go East Young Man
The Vikings who were living in what is today Sweden went east, hopping from island to island and river to river looking for trade and other opportunities. They went through Finland, Poland, and Russia and as far as Constantinople where they negotiated favourable trading rights. Another Viking success story.

Vikings in the Elite Varangian Guard of Constantinople
The Varangian Guard, the elite unit of the Byzantium army, and personal bodyguards to the emperors, fought in campaigns, from Sicily to the Holy Land until Constantinople was captured by Crusaders in 1204. They were renowned for their ruthlessness and prowess, The perfect job for many Vikings and many Viking leaders honed their skills in this elite band of warriors which could perhaps be compared to the SAS today.

Limitless Audacity – The Vikings Take On the World
The Vikings have had a bad press because of their reputation for brutality. They were ruthless & daring but with an adventurous spirit. In around two centuries they changed the face of the northern world. Assisted by their technical skills they radiated out from Scandinavia to Bagdad & Constantinople in the east, to an unknown continent in the west, conquering kingdoms, founding states and towns and lands in between.

Bolt From the Blue – Vikings from Norway
The Vikings from Norway were the first off the starting block, raiding the north coast of England, Scotland and Ireland demonstrating their mastery of the sea. One of the most ambitious was Harald Fine-Hair who in his attempts to control the whole of Norway gave impetus to the settlement of Iceland. Another is Rollo the Walker who settled in Normandy and Harold Hardrada who tried to take the English crown.

Silver – A Viking Obsession
During the Viking Age wealth was changing hands rapidly as they sought to acquire silver by any means possible, either by raiding and stealing, sometimes demanding large payments to go away, or as ransom for those captures. Silver was a way of gaining power and prestige and in doing so permanently altered the map of northern Europe and beyond.

Seine But Not Forgotten – Viking Raids in France
The Vikings first rowed up the Seine in 845 and returned 3 times in the 860’s, each time looting and being bought off, culminating in the siege of Paris. The Viking raids had started in 799 with an attack on the monastery at Noirmoutier and between 841 & 892 barely a year passed without a major raid particularly on the north coast, and then following the rivers to penetrate inland. It is thought the leaders could have been the legendary Ragnor Lodbrok and his sons, Bjorn Ironsides and Halfdan.

From Viking Pagans to Norman Christians – The Story of Normandy
In the late 8th century Vikings terrorized continental European coastlines with their raiding and plundering. At the beginning of the 10th century the French king, Charles the Simple came up with a plan and gave some land to a band of Vikings led by Rollo the Walker, in the hope this would act as a buffer to further raids. An interesting idea that resulted in these Vikings pagans becoming French speaking Christians and fighting the English in 1066!

Shopping Viking Style – Viking Trade in the Baltic & Beyond
The Vikings developed trade networks throughout Europe, as far as Iceland and Greenland in the north and Constantinople in the east. The Baltic region was at the heart of all this. They bought luxury goods in exchange for wool and walrus ivory, they captured and sold slaves. You could, it seems, get anything you desired in the Viking world.

Odin Meets Allah – Viking Pirates in Spain and Portugal
Sea faring Vikings were making violent raids on Muslim Spain and Portugal, and also Italy and the coast of Africa, during the 9th century. The raids had begun in France then moved onto the Iberian coast, attacking La Coruna, taking over Cadiz harbour before sacking Seville; they burnt down a mosque in Algeciras on their way to the Mediterranean, and attacked the Balearic Islands. But the Vikings had met their match unlike in other areas they raided and pillaged.

Odin has Left the Building – Vikings become Christians
The Vikings were known for their daring raids, explorations and that they were pagans, but from their explosion onto the European scene as pagans they also made a journey to eventually embrace Christianity. Why did they do that, what was it that drove them to make this change?

The Unlikely Tale of Vikings Making Pilgrimages
Thorvald the Far Farer, probably could have made the news of the day, he was the neglected younger son of one of the first Norwegian settlers in Iceland; he left Iceland and served in Sweyn Forkbeard’s army, spent some time fighting in England, but gave up his Viking lifestyle when he embraced Christianity in the late 900’s,and to show his faith, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem – and he wasn’t the only one!

From Pagan Plunderers to Christian Crusaders
The end of the Viking raids in the middle of the 11th century was not the end of the Scandinavian adventures abroad. Vikings who were now Christian kings and chieftains equipped ships for long journeys, but the aim was crusades to the great holy centres of Christendom, especially Rome and Jerusalem. There were many motives for these journeys, such as penance or fulfilment of an oath, but they could also be combined with political aspirations and the good old Viking love for adventure.

The Power of Word Fame - The Viking Way of Life
The Vikings have a reputation for their violent raids upon other countries, but is this the full picture? Viking life was harsh, men were expected to be tough and the best way to die, was young and in battle, but there was so much more to them. Come and find out who the Vikings really were and how they lived and what was important to them.

19. Valhalla - The Ultimate Destination
Vikings lived in a pagan society. They were one of the last people in Europe to accept Christianity. They had fascinating beliefs in how the universe was created, that included nine different worlds all inhabited by different beings including humans and gods. All these beliefs no doubt influenced by the ice, fire and mountains that they lived amongst.

The Children of Ash & Elm - Viking Mythology
The Vikings were a passionate, ruthless people with a deep seated tradition of storytelling sitting around their fires in the long dark winters, the more important people employing visiting skalds to entertain them and their families. Their mythology is full of entertaining stories of gods and goddesses, monsters, giants, elves and trolls.

Norse Folklore - Inside the Viking Mind
The Vikings had a complex view of a 4-fold 'soul'; and they saw the work of elves, dwarves, trolls and nature spirits in everyday life; some of these beliefs linger on in the psyche of northern people. Often referred to as the 'hidden people' they are part of the folklore from the past.

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FAR EAST and JAPAN

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From Japan with Love
Japan is known as a nation of inventors, but it hasn't just given us in the west, laptops, robots and reliable cars or the habit of eating sushi at fancy sushi bars on the high streets. The Japanese influence on our lives can be found in origami, karaoke and many more things that have become part of our lives. Can you think what they are?

A Tale of Two Islands - England & Japan
It's just over 400 years ago since an English man called William Adams stepped ashore in Japan from the remnants of a Dutch trading fleet. He was the first English man to reach Japan and would become a trade adviser for the Japanese and later the first western Samurai, spending the rest of his life in Japan, and dying in Nagasaki. With his help the British East India Company established a trading base in Japan but there wasn’t much the Japanese wanted from Britain.

A Glimpse into the Flower & Willow World – A History of the Geisha
Perhaps one of the first thing we think about when Japan is mentioned is the tradition of Geisha. The original Geisha hardly resembles the modern Geisha, as they were men, however by 1780 women were dominating the profession; by 1920's there were about 80,000 Geisha's in Japan. Now there are about 1000. They are professional entertainers trained in a variety of Japanese arts, which can take as long as a medical degree. This talk will take you through the history of this very interesting tradition.

More Than A 1000 years of Tea – Japan & Tea Culture
The history of tea in Japan began in the 8th century when tea was brought back from China to be the drink of the upper class. Its’ popularity increased and by the 15th century the first ‘Tea Room’ was built and the Tea Ceremony, still practiced today, was developed.

A Potted History of Malaya & Singapore
Malaya and Singapore held important strategic advantages from the 1700’s. This enabled Britain to take part in the spice trade and later to claiming Malaya & Singapore for the British Crown. This talk takes you through the history of Malaya and Singapore up to the end of World War II.
A City Built On Mud
Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1857 at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. In English, the name Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence". The venture into the muddy confluence started when a member of the Selangor royal family hired prospectors to open tin mines in the Klang Valley. Kuala Lumpur grew from a small settlement to become Malaysia's biggest city in the 20th century.

Francis Light – from Illegitimate Boy to Founder of Penang
The age of exploration gave men a chance of an interesting life. Francis Light, born in Suffolk, rose through the ranks of the British East India Company to become the founder of Penang. An interesting tale of a determined young man.

A Country Separated by Sea – East Malaysia
Malaysia is made up of West Malaysia and East Malaysia which is less populated and industrialised although a bigger land mass. It has an interesting history that resulted in this country being on either side of the South China Sea.

Stamford Raffles and Singapore
Stamford Raffles was a boy with little formal education and humble beginnings but with a thirst for knowledge and an adventurous spirit. He worked for the East India Company as a clerk from a young age before travelling to the East, going on to be the founder of Singapore.

The Extraordinary Life of Stamford Raffles
Stamford Raffles was a boy with little formal education and humble beginnings but with a thirst for knowledge and an adventurous spirit. He worked for the East India Company as a clerk from a young age before travelling to the East, going on to be the founder of Singapore.

Behind Every Man… Colonial Women in Malaya & Singapore
The early explorers were mainly men; however, some women did travel with their husbands, suffering difficult sea journeys and uncertain living conditions; later, more women went to Malaya & Singapore and colonial society started. These females who are almost invisible in history must have been a special type of woman.

Making the Map Pink – Malaya & Singapore
The East India Company was set up in 1600 to aid the quest for trade. At first spices were enough but later land acquisition became desirable, leading the British to colonise parts of the world; and wherever the British went in the world they left their mark with not only in trade and buildings but with Botanic Gardens and Hill Stations.

Tea, Opium and the Taking of Hong Kong
The British became obsessed with tea, but China wasn’t interested in British goods and Britain had to pay for tea with silver, until they decided exchanging opium for tea was a better idea. At the Treaty of Nanking, after the 1st Opium War, China was forced to cede Hong Kong to the British, staying under British rule until 1997, making it the last place of the British Empire

Hong Kong – A Modern City Built on Superstition
Wind and water, the ancient Chinese practice of aligning buildings and objects to attract good luck and ward off misfortune have played a large part in Hong Kong’s’ architectural development, employing Feng Shui masters to help with the design of many of the important buildings in the city.

Brunei – The Abode of Peace
Brunei ranks as the 32nd smallest country in the world. The Vatican is 1st. At one time it was ruled by the 1st white rajah, James Brooke. Now it ranks as one of the richest countries in the world, but how did that happen?

Descendants of a Fairy & a Dragon – A Story of Vietnam
There is so much more to Vietnam than the memory of its’ long war. Its’ people are said to be descended from a Dragon and a Fairy; In 1738 Pope Clement thought he could give the country to Portugal and then Spain; by 1750 the French had taken control, exchanging Catholicism for spices.

Made in Taiwan
Taiwan or Formosa as it was previously known was an island particularly rich in minerals, including and especially gold and sulphur. Unfortunately, this led to many powers wanting to have control. In more recent times we have become familiar with the label stating Made in Taiwan.

Land of a 1000 Smiles - a Story of Buddhism in Thailand
There are around 41,000 Buddhist temples with over 250,00 resident monks across Thailand which is the world's most heavily Buddhist country with around 93% of the people following Buddha and traditionally, all Thai men doing a stint at a Buddhist monastery. The interesting history of the country is tied up with this faith.

Pearl of the Orient – the Philippines
The Philippines have been called this since 1750’s; claimed by Spain and named after the Spanish King. In their quest for spices, they brought Catholicism to the country. Now these islands are often referred to as having a balance between East and West.

Shanghai – A City on the Sea
One of the 5 Treaty Ports claimed after the 1st Opium War. By the 1930’s it became an important commercial and financial hub in Asia, taking advantage of its’ position at the mouth of the Yangtze River, becoming the Shanghai International Settlement with its waterfront became the internationally famous Bund.

The Yellow Empress & the Silk Road
A Chinese legend tells us the story of the discovery of silk which involved the Yellow Empress and a cup of tea. Silk became a sought-after commodity giving the Silk Road its’ name, the trade route that took goods and spread knowledge and ideas across great distances.

Spilling the Beans on Indonesia
Beginning in the. 16th century waves of Europeans, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch & English sought to dominate the spice trade at its sources both in India & the Maluku islands of Indonesia. Astronomically priced, spices were highly coveted for cooking, as medicines & magic potions. Around 1600 the Dutch introduced coffee to the country and now Indonesia has some of the best coffee in the world and boasts of the most expensive coffee, if not a bit unusual.

Dragons are Alive Today – Komodo Island
Dragons hold a fascination in many cultures. In Indonesian there is a belief that gods live in the sky and the sea is home to a mighty dragon. In 1910 a Dutch colonial administrator heard rumours of a ‘land crocodile’ and went to investigate, later it was named the Komodo Dragon, it seems the dragon, actually the largest lizard on earth, is alive and kicking.

The Fishing Fleet – Husband Hunting in India and Ceylon
From the late 19th century, when the Raj was at its height, many young men went out to India and Ceylon to work as administrators, soldiers, and businessmen, leaving a lack of eligible young men in Britain, and young women without husbands. The government of the day thought it would be a good idea to pay single young women to travel to these countries to find a husband.

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AUSTRALIA

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The Search for the Great Southern Continent
Dutch explorers were the first to sight the Great Southern Continent; James Cook was the first to land in the southeast in 1770, naming it New South Wales. When he set sail in 1768 he was under secret orders to seek ‘a land or continent and to take possession of that country in the name of the British king.

The Chance to See the World - But Not By Choice
Modern Australians are proud of being descended from transported convicts, of whom 80% were guilty of petty offences, 15% were women, initially convicts had been sent to the Americas but after the American Revolution in 1776 to Australia. Penal colonies were established first in Sydney and then Van Diemen's Land and a third in Swan River. What had these people done and why was this thought a good idea?

All That Glitters – A Story of the Australian Gold Rush
In 1851 a prospector discovered a small fragment of gold in NSW which opened the floodgates to people coming from Britain, Poland, China and as far away as America, it was an enterprise that would spread across the continent.

Ned Kelly – An Australian Folk Hero
Edward Kelly, was hanged in Melbourne gaol in 1880, marking the end of a long tradition of Australia bushrangers who attained the status of folk hero. He is still remembered today and has been transformed into an Australian defining symbol.

From Transported Criminal to Movers & Shakers – The Making of Australia
Many Australians are proud to trace their heritage back to the convicts who were transported in the 19th century. Many of these people who made a new life for themselves and have earned a place in history of the making of Australia becoming famous, and a few have become infamous.

The Life of James Cook
James Cook was one of the most extraordinary explorers in history, he personally chartered with an astonishing degree of accuracy a third of the entire world, most of which was at the time unknown, he circumnavigated the entire globe three times discovered more places than any single explorer in history. Born in Yorkshire, sent to live with a Quaker family at a young he was influenced throughout his life by the Quaker of social conscience.

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THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

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These talks cover it from the beginnings in Europe, some of my talks in the Far East section cover it from the countries that were visited and then colonised.

The Adventures of Marco Polo
It took years to travel from Europe to the Far East, Marco Polo set off with his father and uncle in 1271, coming back 24 years later with jewels sewn into his clothes & amazing tales to tell, having explored so many places and amassed great wealth.

Portugal Leads the Way
Prince Henry the Navigator had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to be rich. Putting the two together he funded many voyages to find a route to the spices that were so desired. He opened up the western coast of Africa and started the slave trade.

Fourteen Ninety-Two Columbus Sailed….
The Age of Exploration was fuelled by the want for spices and the need to find a sea route to them. Spain and Portugal were in the forefront of these adventures. Christopher Columbus, an Italian, sailing for Spain went to find a western sea passage to the East, to get to the famed Moluccas Islands which became known as the ‘Spice Islands’ bumped into the Americas & thinking he had got there named it the West Indies.

We Could Always Divide Up the World
It’s hard to imagine today how a Pope thought he could divide the world between the Spanish and the Portuguese. But that is just a Pope did 1518 with the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, giving half to Spain and the other half to Portugal. Both primary players, Henry the Navigator sailing to Africa, then Vasco de Gamma and others started looking for a sea route to the Spice Islands. Lisbon has many monuments to this time.

Over the Edge of the World – The First Circumnavigation
Just over 500 years ago a small band of sailors completed the first ever circumnavigation of the globe, the famous name involved was Magellan, a Portuguese, sailing for Spain, but he didn’t make it back and neither did a lot of others.

Wait For Us! – England Gets into the Race
Henry VII had John Cabot sail for him to find a shorter route to Asia, he got to what is now Newfoundland, but his son, Henry VIII ignored overseas trade, being a bit preoccupied with wives. It wasn’t until Elizabeth was on the throne that the English joined the race to gain trade and overseas territories.

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GENERAL LIGHTHEARTED TALKS FOR EUROPE

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The Mediterranean & the Crusades
In the Middle Ages the Mediterranean Sea was a superhighway for transport, trade & cultural exchange When Pope Urban II set out the call for the crusades, this added to the amount of people travelling, both crusaders and pilgrims and of course the Knights Templars.

In the Wake of the Explorers – The Atlantic Islands
The Portuguese claimed Madeira, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands, the Spanish too the Canary Islands and from the 15th century onwards they all became not only important places for the ships to stop enroute for the Americas but provided revenue from sugar cane plantations.

From Knights Hospitallers to the St John’s Ambulance
The story of the St. Johns’ Ambulance goes back to 11th century Jerusalem, where the first Knights of St John (Hospitallers) set up a hospital to care for sick pilgrims. Since then, it has evolved as an Order and as an organisation, the volunteer uniform still displaying the eight-pointed cross worn by those first Knights of St John.

The Smallest Country in the World
The Vatican City is an independent city-state covering just over 100 acres, it is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head. It mints its own euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports and license plates but how did this situation come about?

Greece – The Home of Democracy
Did you know Greece isn’t the official name of the country & wearing high heels is banned in some places of the world’s oldest democracy where both the yo-yo and the Olympic Games were invented, and to stay safe you perhaps should wear an evil eye.

Bridging East & West – Turkey
From a 700 year old shopping mall and a popular sweet confection going back to that time, two of the seven wonders of the world and drinking more tea than the British, and of course the city that straddle east and west, Turkey has had an interesting history.

Friends, Romans & Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears! A Story of Italy
Much of Italy used to be part of Ancient Greece & there is virtually no-one in Italy who could claim to be of Roman descent it was involved in the Silk Road, a setting for Shakespeare’s plays, birthplace of explorers, becoming a unified country in 1800’s; it has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites & is home to the smallest country in the world.

Liberté, Egalitié, Fraternité – A Story of France
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity was coined in the French Revolution in 18th century, adopted by France as its’ national motto in the mid-20th century. An interesting country that went from Louis XVI autocratic rule to a democracy. The most visited tourist destination, sometimes called the hexagon.

Spain the Worlds’ First Global Empire
Through exploration and conquest, Spain became a world power in the 16th century and maintained a vast overseas empire until the 19th Century. Now Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world; it has one of world’s oldest national anthems that has no words & a tomato throwing festival.

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EVERYONE LIKES A TUDOR STORY

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Introducing the Tudors with Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes, a traditional poem or song for children, or political parody? Many were written during the Tudor times and give us an insight to what was in the minds of the ordinary people. Come and meet the Tudors via the medium of nursery rhymes.

Henry VIII - Highs & Lows
A charismatic young man comes to the throne but leaves it a tyrant. Best remembered for his six marriages, but what else did Henry achieve in his reign? He ran a splendid court, built a navy, invaded France, quashed Scotland and also held the first ‘summit’ meeting at great expense.

The Making of Mary – England’s’ First Queen
Mary had a difficult life, a first the doted-on child, as a teenager being declared illegitimate, she lived through all this, often isolated and lonely to become England’s first Queen. She made an unfavourable marriage and restored England to Catholicism, to be remembered in history as Bloody Mary.

Elizabeth I - PR & Pragmatism
Elizabeth’s long reign is always marked as a success. As a women she had to be particularly astute to hold on to her power and enforce her will. She was a great image maker and probably invented PR. The age of exploration began in her reign and the setting up of the East India Company. She was one clever lady!

Spicing Up A Tudor Life
England caught up with Spain and Portugal’s quest for exotic spices and land during the reign of Elizabeth I. Although Henry VII had been interested his son Henry VIII wasn’t. Edward VI wasn’t around very long and Mary I was involved in her struggles at home. But in Elizabeth’s reign England started to become an international power to be reckoned with.

What the Tudors Did for Us
During Tudor times a new way of thinking was created; Henry VIII redefined the Church; the printing press brought a revolution in mass communication; the foundations of modern science were being laid; better maps being drawn aiding the navigation of ships to new lands. By the time Elizabeth I died people were exploring and settling in new lands and all manner of new things had reached England.

Lady Jane Grey - The Forgotten Tudor
In Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, stands the ruins of Bradgate Manor, the birthplace & home of Lady Jane Grey, born into the Tudor family and dubbed the Nine Day Queen. This is a story of a girl with outstanding natural ability, whose strength of character & remarkable faith shine out, despite the darkness that often surrounded her. She paid the ultimate price for a throne she didn’t seek.

Witches in Tudor Times
Behind the stereotypical image of the witch flying on a broomstick wearing a back pointy hat lies a long history of trials, persecution & torture that claimed the lives of hundreds of women & men. The first English Statute was brought in by Henry VIII in 1542 when no one was safe from the accusation of witchcraft, which took hold in Tudor times.

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GENERAL INTEREST

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A Nice Cup of Tea - A Potted History
The British answer to any problem or crisis is often a cup of tea! If you have had a shock or an upset someone will make you a nice cup of tea. But how did the British love affair with tea start? It is a fascinating tale of adventure, taxes, criminality, temperance, rationing and a morale booster in World War I and II and of a Duchess who established the ritual of afternoon tea.

The Great Tea Robbery
Perhaps the greatest theft of trade secrets in the history of mankind. Robert Fortune, a young Scotsman went to China to steal the secrets of tea. Travelling disguised as a Chinese merchant by the name of Sing Wa, he went where no westerner had been before, into the interior of China. An amazing tale of 19th Century industrial espionage to bring the best tea to Britain.

Spilling the Beans - A History of Coffee
In the 17th century it was believed that coffee had medicinal properties; in the 1600's Pope Clement gave his permission for Catholics to drink it and the first Coffee House opened in England. Our love affair with the coffee bean goes back several centuries, before becoming a popular drink on the high street.

The Golden Age of Coffee Houses
Coffee Houses in the 17th and 18th centuries played a central role in life in the cities; they were where men met to discuss the new ideas of the time and conduct business with wits sharpened by caffeine instead of being dulled by alcohol. They were where many of our national institutions began. It is said that they fuelled the Enlightenment and are still there today.

Food of the Gods - History of Chocolate
The Aztecs believed that cocoa seeds were a gift from the god of wisdom. The Spanish took the bean back to Spain in 1528 and kept its’ source a secret. By 1650 chocolate had arrived in England and the first Chocolate House opened in 1657. The Quakers were instrumental in making it popular, the Swiss refined it; and now we can’t seem to do without it!

All for the Love of Sugar
Sugar influenced the slave trade and was used as a medicine; it was a luxury for the rich and now has the reputation as a comfort food and many people crave it. Elizabeth I was so fond of it her teeth turned black. Few foodstuffs have had such an impact on human beings as sugar.

Drunk for a 1d, Dead Drunk for 2d - A Tale of Gin
William of Orange, the pivotal European figure of the late 17th century and a busy chap, he fought France, the dominant power in Europe, and reunited the Netherlands and also became king of England after the Glorious Revolution of 1688: designed to bring a Protestant to throne, amongst other things he enacted a series of laws to encourage gin distillation which was to become the Protestant toast and the origin of our saying ‘Dutch Courage’ and caused the Gin Craze.

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LIGHTHEARTED GENERAL INTEREST

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Hey Diddle Diddle - History & Meaning of Nursery Rhymes
Passed down through the generations, from parents to children, nursery rhymes have been part of our childhood. Many are veiled commentaries on political events and people in power, using subtle references and clever word play. Some nursery rhymes have it all, like a good film, royal scandal, illicit love affairs and bloodshed.

As Mad as a Hatter - the Origins of Sayings
Some people might say that I’m as mad as a hatter because I’m fascinated by the origins of the sayings we use in everyday conversation. There are more sayings than you can shake a stick at and for any doubting Thomas' out there, I'll let the cat out of the bag and pull out all the stops to entertain you, with stories of how the sayings we use all the time, came about.

New Moons, Black Cats & Ladders - the Origins of Superstitions
A belief in luck and fate are the key components of superstitions and that they can be controlled by various actions of human beings. Do you throw salt over your shoulder if you spill it; know that it's good luck if you see two magpies together; wonder if things didn't go as planned because it was Friday 13th and touch wood for good luck? But where did these beliefs originate?

What's in a Name?
Your surname links your family across generations and each has a story to tell. It may tell you where your forbears originated from, what their work was or social status or even if they had a distinguishing feature. It was the Normans who insisted we had one and Henry VIII who decreed that the father's surname went on a child’s birth certificate. We use them every day, take them for granted and yet they are one of our most personal and interesting possessions.

Hidden Meanings of Place Names
Place names give us a fascinating insight into Britain’s past history. Some place names come from the earliest inhabitants of Britain but many are associated with our invaders who have left their mark. Did you know that Nottingham used to be called Snotengham (Snott's Settlement)? Some place names have evolved over the centuries and others have stayed the same and some aren’t what they seem.

The Bishop's Finger
The British public house started life as a Roman Wine Bar and dates back over 2000 years. Ale was central to the Anglo Saxon sense of community, the place to get a drink, often marked by using a bush as a sign; by 1577 it is thought that there were 17,000 alehouses, 2000 inns and 400 taverns in England many of the original names are still being used today.

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CHRISTMAS

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Santa Claus & All Things Christmas
Christmas is celebrated all over the world. A Christian festival that is enjoyed with traditions and stories. But who was St Nicolas and how did Santa Claus come about? Who developed the story of Santa’s reindeer and when did sending Christmas cards start and why do we put a fairy on top of the tree? Come and listen to a history of the origins of well loved traditions.

When Christmas was Cancelled
The Christmas celebrations that we know today have been a long time in the making, as a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration in the northern hemisphere, before the arrival of Jesus. Christmas has been celebrated in different ways over the centuries and was even cancelled when England was a republic!