Maureen James has much experience of giving talks and lectures and offers a variety of topics including-
A lively talk based on the old storytellers of the Fens particularly those who were heard by W H (Jack) Barrett at the Ship Inn at Brandon Creek. This talk considers the nature and popularity of stories in an age before widespread literacy and before the intrusion of television and radio. This was a time when stories were the way that people passed on wisdom and historical knowledge and whiled away the long winter evenings. This talk was well received by the Fenland History Group and is partially based on current research for a PhD.
2. Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire Folklore
An illustrated talk based on based on current research for a PhD. This new talk considers the importance of folklore to the people in an age before widespread literacy and before the spread of television and radio led to the abandonment of old beliefs.
A popular illustrated talk outlining the changing attitude to people who were called ‘witches’ from the medieval acceptance of their role as wise women, through their persecution by Matthew Hopkins and their eventual transition to the Wiccan’s of today. This talk also briefly considers the role of witchcraft in other cultures.
Previous clients include Eltisley History Society, Cambs and Fulbourn History Society, Cambs
4. The Clarkson's of Wisbech and their role in the Abolition of the Slave Trade and Slavery
Historian Maureen James will the explore how Thomas and John Clarkson from Wisbech became players in world history through their involvement in exposing the horrors of the slave trade and acknowledging the potential of Africans to live a harmonious and productive life in their own country. She will take her audience on a moving trip through the lives of the two brothers telling the stories that shaped and changed their lives and had a profound effect on the lives of so many others.
Previous clients include Peterborough Central Library, Cambridge Local History Society, Whittlesea Society, March Museum, Isleham History Society, and Wisbech Tourism
5 Thomas and John Clarkson – forgotten heroes?
Historian Maureen James will tell the fascinating tale of how two brothers who had major roles on the world’s stage were omitted from the history books. She will take her audience back to the late eighteenth century to a time when equality and acceptance of cultural diversity were not issues, and when religion was still a driving force in politics. She will also explore aspects of the lives of the two brothers telling the stories that shaped and changed their own and many other peoples’ lives, but failed to be acknowledged by the Establishment.
This talk was well received by a large audience at the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds and Sawston History Society.
6 Aspects of Black History - a talk for Black History Month
October is Black History Month and to celebrate the occasion, historian and storyteller Maureen James can offer and illustrated talk about aspects of Black History in the Fens, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. She will explore the contributions of local people to the cause of the abolition of slavery; the links between the Wisbech Clarkson family and Africa and the narrative of Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave who wrote an account of his life, travelled the country and eventually married a girl from Soham.
Maureen explained “Black History Month aims to enable all people to be aware of and enjoy the achievements and contributions that Black people have made to Britain and the world. It was first celebrated in Britain in 1987, and is gradually gaining in awareness around the country”. Previous venues include March Library, Cambs, Holbeach Library, Lincs and a related talk for Forty Hall Museum, Enfield.
7. The Owenite Colonies of the 1830s and 1840s.
An illustrated talk looking at how groups of people around the country set up agricultural communes following principles laid down by the socialist Robert Owen. This talk makes particular reference to the Manea Colony in the Cambridgeshire Fens.
This talk went down well with the Fenland History group and March Family History Society, Cambs
8. The Radical Infants School at Wisbech 1837-40.
An illustrated talk looking at the history of the infants school set up by James Hill and Caroline Southwood Smith (parents of Octavia Hill) in Wisbech. Local reaction to the school including the branding of it as an ‘infidel’ school will be considered as will its failure to attract sufficient pupils and its eventual closure. The core of this talk is from a dissertation written whilst Maureen was studying for a B.Ed at Homerton College Cambridge University
"Thankyou for the fantastic contribution you made to our "Roman Weekend"...the talk in the morning, your work in the afternoon and your excellent contribution to the Roman Banquet"
Parish Council after Millennium Monuments event.
“It is difficult to study history through the ears, eyes and understanding of those that lived in the past. Maureen was able to describe events of the past though the lives and feelings of the Clarksons and their contemporaries with great success. She spoke with emotion and feeling about the work of real people”. Review of talk
"I found Maureen James recent project on how Romans grew and cooked
their food fascinating"
Editor Smallholder Magazine
"Thank you for your interesting and ejoyable illustrated talk.......
a most entertaining evening"
A Village History Society