Speaker’s Name: Richard Luscombe

Speaker's Name	Richard Luscombe
Are you an Individual or represent an Organisation / Company?	Volunteer History Research Team Wrest Park
Email	Email
Telephone / Mobile Number	Wrest Park telephone number, (during Reception working hours, Monday to Friday): 01525 860000
Would you be able to present In Person, via Zoom or either?	Zoom and/or In Person
What equipment do you need to be provided by hosts? eg Screen, laptop, projector	Equipment If you have the following it would be really helpful, but we can bring some equipment with notice. - Projector with HDMI connection. If you have an older model with a VGA connection, let us know and we will bring an HDMI adaptor. - Projector remote control/pointer - Windows-compatible laptop, (if you are happy for us to use a memory stick). However, most of us will bring their own laptops, if you can help to connect with your projector. - Screen, or a reasonable space of plain wall. - A microphone, (if you need one for people with hearing difficulties.) - Extension cable, with sockets for laptop and projector, and access to a mains socket. - A separate table (4 ft is ideal) for equipment and resources.
Any travel restrictions? Such as Time or Distance	Timings We will arrive in good time before the start of your session, so that we can set up equipment and talk over your timetable for the evening.
What are the charges? Such as Travel Expenses, Charge for talk.	Donations English Heritage asks for a voluntary donation of up to £50, payable to ‘English Heritage Trust’. If writing a cheque, please would you write your name and contact address on the back.
Speaker's Biography	Wrest Park Volunteer History Research Team - Talks We are members of the Volunteer History Research Team, working with English Heritage. We offer talks and tours to bring alive the fascinating history of our estate, its occupants and its workers from the 13th to 20th centuries. Wrest also offers tours of the gardens, trees, statues, wallpaper rooms, ‘Behind the Scenes’, and Archaeological Stores Collection. Most are regularly available and free, while others can be booked. Volunteer Historic Records Keeper. I am also a room guide, and lead tours of our wallpaper rooms and off-site walks explaining the wider history of our estate. Retired local studies librarian and primary teacher. I believe in the importance of stories to communicate history. I have contributed to an English Heritage podcast on chinoiserie and have written for local publications, such as 'History in Bedfordshire'.

Talk	Duration	Summary
Christmas at Wrest	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	Food, festivities and one of the oldest Christmas trees.
Wrest Buildings - Thomas Archer and his Pavilion at Wrest	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	The iconic pavilion and its architect
De Greys - Thomas Earl de Grey, Sailor	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	Yacht owner and founder member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
20th Century Wrest - An American at Wrest	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	A weekend retreat for the US Ambassador and his prestigious guests, 1906-12.
20th Century Wrest - The World War One Hospital at Wrest	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	Stories of life in a country house military hospital, 1914-16.
20th Century Wrest - The National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wrest Park	Talks usually last around 45 minutes plus questions.	Its pioneering history, 1947-2006.