The Langley Lectures
Click here for printable leaflet (2 pages)
The Langley Lectures are part of the work of Langley Methodist Church – serving the community.
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Welcome to Series Three of the Langley Lectures.
They have been conceived as an opportunity for people to come together to learn more about our locality and our world.
The aim is to offer a curriculum that includes, amongst other things: music, science, politics, health, faith, and the natural world. We ask our speakers to root some of what they say in our locality – but also to share the bigger picture and speculate on the future.
The Lectures are designed to be accessible and engaging, to leave you with food for thought and something to discuss further – but not scratching your head and asking yourself, “What on earth was he or she talking about?”
So come and join us. No need to book. No need to come to the whole series. Simply look at the programme and come along to whatever appeals to you.
This year’s series is bigger and better than ever before. We have an exciting range of subjects and speakers. We have also introduced Lecture Extra: some of the lectures will have extra events associated with them – for people who want to explore things further – look for the extra details on the programme.
Location
All of the Langley Lectures are held at the Langley Methodist Chapel, Main Road, Langley SK11 0BU.
The car park is very small but there is on-street parking available. Please park in a courteous way that is mindful of our neighbours – and leave room for the bus to pass along the road.
Basic Format
In general, each lecture follows a similar format: a short introduction to the speaker, the presentation of no more than 45 minutes, a time for questions, a vote of thanks, refreshments and conversation.
Who they are for
The Langley Lectures are open to all – whether you live in Langley or not. They are aimed at adults of all ages who have enquiring minds and are interested in the world around them.
Cost
We ask for a donation of £2.50 or more per person for each lecture. Once the speaker’s expenses have been met then all proceeds go to the three charities supported by the Chapel.
About the charities we support
Each year we give £500 to each of the following three charities – this comes from your donations for the Langley Lecture series with the shortfall being made up from Chapel Funds and other fundraising efforts.
East Cheshire Hospice cares for adults suffering from life-limiting illnesses from which there is no cure.
The Rossendale Trust supports people with learning and physical disabilities to lead the very best lives they can.
Just Drop In offers help and advice to vulnerable young people.
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The Lectures
Wednesday 4 January 2012 at 7.45pm
Appreciating Classical Music
Roger Preston
As well as providing an opportunity to listen to some excerpts from pieces of ‘classical’ music, the aim of this lecture is to learn a little about the composers, to look at why they wrote the music and to think about how they attempted to communicate their ideas.
Roger has played piano and organ since a very early age, had a career as a scientist, and now directs the Danebridge Choir.
** Lecture Extra **
Join us on Saturday 7 January at 7.30pm when we will listen to the whole of some of the pieces. Spend an hour indulging yourself. No charge. Tea & coffee afterwards.
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Wednesday 18 January 2012 at 7.45pm
Charles F. Tunnicliffe RA OBE
The Anglesey Years 1947-1979
Thelma Whiston
In 1947 Charles Tunnicliffe, artist, illustrator and author decided to leave Industrial Macclesfield to live in Anglesey where he hoped to find peace and quiet that he craved. In order to produce a professional standard of work he needed to be alone to paint and draw, uninterrupted by family, friends and visitors. The trouble is that a fine artist is followed wherever he goes and CFT soon discovered that the world began to come too often to his door at ‘Shorelands’
Thelma has an interest in local history mainly due to her family connection with Langley and Sutton. She lived overseas for many years but loves living in Langley.
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Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 7.45pm
The Future of Farming
Christine Tacon
A look at global trends and how they affect the future of food security in the UK. An exploration of the Co-Operative Group and its farming business – and its strategy to prepare the farming business for the future.
Christine was the Managing Director of the Co-Operative Farms for 11 years until she stepped down in December 2011. She moved to Macclesfield with her family for the job, and at the time of writing this is deciding what work to do next!
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Wednesday 15 February 2012 at 7.45pm
Loving our Landscape
Ian Stewart
Why do the hills, valleys, woods, fields, houses and roads of Langley and Sutton look like they do? A light-hearted but informative look at the processes which have created our beautiful landscape.
Ian is a geography graduate of Oxford University who has lived on Langley Road for 22 years.
** Lecture Extra **
Join us on Saturday 18 February when Ian will lead a guided walk so we can see for ourselves what he has lectured on. Leaves Langley bus shelter at 11.15am.
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Wednesday 29 February at 7.45pm
Faith in the countryside:
The future of the rural church
Taffy Davies
In a time when many ‘institutions’ have disappeared from the heart of rural life, for some inexplicable reason the church still seems to be clinging on. The banks have closed, the shops have disappeared, and many pubs are boarded up. But somehow the church is still there – though for how much longer?
Taffy – Vicar of Sutton St James will present an interesting, stimulating and in some places very funny talk on how he sees the future of the rural church.
Prior to coming to the parish of Sutton he was a film maker and animator.
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Wednesday 14 March 2012 at 7.45pm
Observing the Heavens above Langley
Ian Morison
A talk that will show you how to find your way around the night sky using your eyes, binoculars and small telescopes. It will show you how to find what constellations are visible at any time of the year and when the planets, such as Jupiter, Venus and Mars can be seen. With examples brought to the lecture, it will demonstrate what to look for in buying a pair of binoculars or even a small telescope.
Ian is a world-renowned speaker on astronomy, space and the universe.
