Previously at the Collingham Retired Men’s Forum

We aim to recruit speakers from a range of backgrounds and experiences in order to cater to all tastes. Some of our members have given some of our most interesting talks based on their own experience or interests.

Effects of War: The consequences for civilians caught up in conflict

Jane McKeown

Jane McKeown, the wife of a senior army officer, followed her husband in his many career postings during the 60s, 70s and 80s especially in Germany and other areas of Europe that had been occupied by the Nazis . With active curiosity she took this opportunity to observe, empathise and understand the many traumas and dilemmas that had afflicted the civilian population in the towns and regions where she had lived. Her talk included many moving examples of people she had met and the stories that they told her citing, for example, their helplessness in being able to prevent the evils of the society they lived in and the ways that they used to remember those who had been lost. Jane’s enduring hope is that education can enable new generations not to forget what catastrophes can occur when dictators reign and good people find they are helpless to intervene.

Talk given on 26th March 2026

My father David Pugh 2nd World War survivor

Alun Pugh a.apugh@ntlworld.com Tel: 07840 742075

Alun Pugh, retired teacher and now Leeds tour guide, spoke about his father David, a Welshman, who had trained as a pilot during the war. On active service he flew Lancaster Bombers over Germany and, during a raid on Berlin had had to turn back because of aircraft damage. The plane, out of fuel, had to be ditched in the North Sea and members of the crew endured three nights and days drifting in an inflatable dinghy before being rescued. All but one, including David, survived. 60% of crew flying Lancaster bombers perished. This was the story of a survivor.

Talk given on 10th March 2026

Drug development

Professor Michael Hudson profmjhudson@btinternet.com

Michael was formerly Dean of Health Care Studies at Leeds University. His talk covered the very vigorous process by which new drugs become available as medications. From the early research stage of development when a promising molecule or substance is identified, through four carefully controlled phases of testing beginning with animals, and leading finally to trials on patients, Michael outlined the highly regulated process that ensures new medicines are both safe and effective and concluded with general advice everyone should follow when using their medications.

Talk given on 3rd March 2026

The history of The Post Office

John Lyte thelytehouse@btinternet.com

John operates as “The Talketeer”, and speaks on a wide range of topical subjects.

Talk given 24th February 2026

Previous topics covered by our talks have included:

  • The first female Aeronautical Engineer at Rolls Royce

  • The Editor of Formula 1 Magazine

  • The Chair of the West Yorkshire Magistracy

  • The Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes

  • Big Band Leaders

  • Hull shipping disasters & the ‘Head Scarf Heroes’

  • Collingham & Linton War Heroes

  • The Barnbow Factory in the War Years

  • The Merchant Navy

  • The Battle of Jutland

  • Beekeeping

  • The Lusitania

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Education Charity in South Africa

  • The History of Prisons & Probation

  • The Police Museum of West Yorkshire

  • The Origin of the ‘Green Line’ in Cyprus

  • Inheritance Planning

  • A Podiatrist

  • A Physiotherapist on Arthritis in Older Age

Our annual trips are always popular events. Recent members visits have included:

  • The Wensleydale Railway

  • Leeds Town Hall

  • Catterick Garrison

  • Esholt Wastewater Treatment Works

  • The Black Sheep Brewery

  • The Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility