Lunchtime Talks and Natural History Talks

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Autumn 2008 programme of natural history lectures and lunchtime talks

Paisley Museum location map

Feed your mind at lunchtime: Take a break from the office and join us for one of our lunchtime talks. Whether you have a particular interest in a subject, or just a passing whim you will enjoy these mini-lectures. They’re free and there’s no need to book. Just pop in and ask at the reception desk. They last about 45 minutes and so would fit easily into a lunch break.

This season we have also introduced a series of Natural History talks, these are given on Thursday evenings, similarly they’re free and there’s no need to book.

Just click on the date in the table below for a bit more information about each topic. Alternatively contact the Renfrewshire Arts and Museums service:

• email ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0141 889 3151 (Paisley Museum)
• fax 0141 889 9240
• Paisley Museum High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BD.

Natural History Talks take place on Thursday evenings:

Date	Topic	Given by	time
04 September	Moth Myths	Neil Gregory	7.30pm
02 October	Alaskan Adventure - seabirds, fur seals and bears	David Clugston	7.30pm
06 November	Treasures from the Earth	Gordon Todd	7.30pm

Lunchtime talks take place on Wednesday afternoons:

Date	Topic	Given by	Time
27 August	The Aspect Prize	Charles Jamieson	12.30pm
03 September	Coats and Clarks - The Binding Thread of Paisley's History	Valerie Reilly	12.30pm
10 September	Jupiter	John Pressly	12.30pm
17 September	A Brief History of the Paisley Philosophical Institution	David Roberts	12.30pm
24 September	Political Theatre	Claire O'Hara	12.30pm
01 October	125 years of Staring Into Space	John Pressly	12.30pm
08 October	Wildlife Crime in Scotland	Joe Connelly	12.30pm
15 October	The Art of the Picture Frame	Christopher Luther	12.30pm
22 October	Ethiopia - Africa's Hidden Empire	Douglas Breingan	12.30pm
29 October	Button It! The History of Clothes' Fasteners	Valerie Reilly	12.30pm
05 November	In whose Footsteps Do We Follow? - The Coats Observatory Visitors Book	John Pressly	12.30pm
12 November	Men of Culture	David Roberts	12.30pm
19 November	Darwin: 'On the Evolution of Species' - A Victorian Talking Point	Douglas Breingan	12.30pm
26 November	Robert Chambers and Edinburgh Traditions	Chris Lee	12.30pm
03 December	Sincere Attachment to the Cause of Knowledge	David Roberts	12.30pm
10 December	William Herschel	John Pressly	12.30pm
17 December	Tales from the Palaces - celebrating Christmas in Royal Style	Valerie Reilly	12.30pm

Wednesday 27 August

Lunchtime Talk
The Aspect Prize
by Charles Jamieson

As one of the founders and Chairman of The Aspect Prize, Charles Jamieson will talk about how the prize came about and a discussion about some of the artists that have been finalists and winners of this prestigious competition.


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Wednesday 03 September

Lunchtime Talk
Coats and Clarks - The Binding Thread of Paisley's History
by Valerie Reilly

Paisley is fortunate in having been the home of two world famous textile industries. Whilst the shawl industry brought the name of the town to public knowledge, Coats' six-cord and Clark's Anchor Stranded embroidery thread are possibly even more widely famed. The two families put much of their wealth back into the town, and it is virtually impossible to think of Paisley without the input of the Clarks and the Coats families.


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Thursday 04 September

Natural History talk
Moth Myths
by Neil Gregory

Moths are fascinating creatures, they come in all shapes, sizes and colours, but not all fly by night. Find out more about these fascinating insects and learn the truth about the wonderful world of moths.


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Wednesday 10 September

Lunchtime Talk
Jupiter
by John Pressly

The late autumn sees a welcome return to our skies of Jupiter. More than twice as massive as all of the other planets combined, Jupiter has fascinated astronomers since earliest times. This talk will take a close look at this giant planet, the missions that have been sent to explore it, and even how we on Earth may owe our very existence to this mysterious distant world.


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Wednesday 17 September

Lunchtime Talk
A Brief History of the Paisley Philosophical Institution
by David Roberts

In conjunction with the bicentenary celebrations of the Philosophical Institution, this illustrated talk will outline some of the principal events in the Society's history. Topics covered will include the Society's early days as an exclusive gentlemen's scientific club and its leading role in the establishing the Free Library and Museum as well as more recent highlights.


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Wednesday 24 September

Lunchtime Talk
Political Theatre
by Claire O'Hara

Claire O’Hara will give a talk recounting her experiences in using theatre as a tool for galvanising communities to become involved in the political process.



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Wednesday 01 October

Lunchtime Talk
125 years of Staring Into Space
by John Pressly

Coats Observatory welcomed its first visitor on October 1st 1883. This talk celebrates the 125th anniversary of the opening of the observatory, taking an in depth look at the history of the building and the events that have shaped it over time, providing the fantastic resource which we have today.


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Thursday 02 October

Natural History Talk
Alaskan Adventure - seabirds, fur seals and bears
by David Clugston

This intriguing talk will take you on a voyage of adventure to discover the wildlife of Alaska. Find out what animals live there and how they cope in this often harsh environment.


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Wednesday 08 October

Lunchtime Talk
Wildlife Crime in Scotland
by Joe Connelly

Joe Connelly serves as the Strathclyde Police Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator. Crimes committed against animals, birds and plants are some of the most difficult to detect. Come along to find out what role the Police Wildlife Crime Officers play in protecting our precious wildlife.


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Wednesday 15 October

Lunchtime Talk
The Art of the Picture Frame
by Christopher Luther

Our speaker Christopher, who works at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, will look at various aspects of that much neglected part of most paintings, the frame in which it is hung!



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Wednesday 22 October

Lunchtime Talk
Ethiopia - Africa's Hidden Empire
by Douglas Breingan

Having travelled to Ethiopia in 2006, Douglas will regale us with a look at 4000 years of the hidden culture of this enigmatic African Empire.


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Wednesday 29 October

Lunchtime Talk
Button It! The History of Clothes' Fasteners
by Valerie Reilly

The story of the various ways in which clothes have been held together over the years, celebrating 115 years since Whitcomb L. Judson first patented the earliest “zip fastener”. This talk will be illustrated with examples from the Museum’s costume collection.


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Wednesday 05 November

Lunchtime Talk
In whose Footsteps Do We Follow? - The Coats Observatory Visitors Book
by John Pressly

As Coats Observatory celebrates its 125th anniversary we will take a look back to the earliest days and the observatory's first visitor’s book. This talk will look at the lives of some of the more famous individuals who have visited Coats Observatory over the years, from scientists to explorers, politicians to prime ministers, with a few surprising names amongst the list .


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Thursday 06 November

Natural History Talk
Treasures from the Earth
by Gordon Todd

Scotland is rich in minerals and gemstones. Come along to discover the wealth that lies beneath your feet and to see some fine examples of Scottish gems as local expert Gordon Todd reveals this magical world.


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Wednesday 12 November

Lunchtime Talk
Men of Culture
by David Roberts

Continuing the series of talks in conjunction with the bicentenary of the Paisley Philosophical Institution, this lunchtime talk will focus on some of the local men and women who have made significant contributions to the Society during its long history. This talk will also mention some of the national and international personalities and celebrities who have addressed Society meetings.


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Wednesday 19 November

Lunchtime Talk
Darwin: 'On the Evolution of Species' - A Victorian Talking Point
by Douglas Breingan

Looking forward to the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's momentous work, this talk will examine the continuing controversy that this document has caused. The book, perhaps not surprisingly, provoked years of debate at all levels of Scottish society.


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Wednesday 26 November

Lunchtime Talk
Robert Chambers and Edinburgh Traditions
by Chris Lee

Chris returns to Paisley to share with us some recent work on Robert Chambers, the early 19th century writer and publisher. Chambers had an extensive knowledge of the folk tales and traditions of his adopted city, which featured in his book "Traditions of Edinburgh" published in 1824.


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Wednesday 03 December

Lunchtime Talk
Sincere Attachment to the Cause of Knowledge
by David Roberts

Over the last two hundred years, members of the Paisley Philosophical Institution have attended nearly 1500 talks on almost every subject imaginable, as well as witnessing scientific experiments, listening to musical recitals and enjoying dramatic presentations. A personal selection of some of the most important, influential and remarkable talks and events concludes this brief series of lunchtime talks in conjunction with the their bicentenary.


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Wednesday 10 December

Lunchtime Talk
William Herschel
by John Pressly

Royal astronomer, telescope maker, discoverer of new worlds – all suitable descriptions of the fascinating William Herschel. Yet he led quite a chequered life, having a variety of careers before settling upon astronomy. This talk will look at the life and times of William Herschel, highlighting some of his more important discoveries and examining the impact he has had on the science of astronomy.


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Wednesday 17 December

Lunchtime Talk
Tales from the Palaces - celebrating Christmas in Royal Style
by Valerie Reilly

As we settle down to the Christmas meal and enjoy having our families around us, do we think about how the Queen is celebrating her Christmas? Has Christmas been different for royalty through the ages, or has it merely been like that of the ordinary folk - albeit on a grander scale?


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