"A Short Talk on the Longest Day" - FOR 2024 ONLY - A new talk to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 6th June 1944. Based on the battlefield tours to the Normandy invasion beaches that Steve wrote and led as part of British Army's Phase 1 training programme, he will take you on a virtual tour highlighting some of the events and individuals involved on this momentous day. From the attack on Merville Battery to the defence of OMAHA Beach as well as looking at some of the amazing equipment deployed, let Steve be your guide on this, his final Battlefield Tour. (Caution: some images may be of an upsetting nature)

 

"Mr Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire"... Explained!" New for 2023 

In September 1989 Billy Joel released a four-and-a-half-minute long song listing 118 historical events covering the first 40 years of his life from 1949. It was described by some as "Information overload". I have skilfully distilled this song into a 45 minute+ presentation enabling me to explain what the "Piano Man" was singing about, especially the American bits! We also look at the bits of history that he seems to have either ignored, forgotten or just couldn't make rhyme! This talk has been produced without the kind permission of Mr Joel who didn't bother responding to my letter! Just ask me for "that Billy Joel talk!"

 

"Doing Our Bit!" Delivered in character, let one man and his broom, "Mr Foreman" of the Emergency

Road Repair Service (see photo gallery), talk about the roles carried out by some of the

Home Front's unsung heroes, from the Upper Thames Patrol to the workers of the MG Works in Abbingdon,

via the Emergency Hospital Service. He also looks at some of the civilians who were awarded the George

Cross & George Medal. For your delight and delectation, he also performs an array of impersonations of

notable men of the period! This talk is complimented with a small display of genuine WW2 Home Front

civil defence badges and ephemera.

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"Battle Royale 1066"  New for 2020 to help commemorate the 954th anniversary of the Battle of

Hastings and Possibly the most famous date in English history.  Meet the main characters involved and the

series of events that brought them together, whilst Steve Hookins tries to make sense of a battle that

everyone has heard of but one that so little is known about. Let Steve talk about what he thinks happened,

why, where, when and who was involved. Featuring an all start cast, it's a story of Medieval power, politics

and pushy parents. 

 

"Bits that don't fit" First performed in 2017 and re-vamped for 2023, this presentation gives Steve the chance to talk about some of the weird and wonderful historical square pegs that don't fit into any of his other presentations. Who invented gunpowder and why? What exactly did the Roman's leave behind? Plus a wry look at our cousins from across the pond. From Newcastle Brown to Bollinger Champagne via Salvador Dali and Pigeon Guided Bombs, this, is "Stand-Up History". History doesn't always have to be serious, sometimes it's just nice to have a bit of a giggle! Possibly the most environmentally friendly and carbon neutral talk currently available.

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"Waterloo - The Bits ABBA Got Wrong" Revamped for 2022, this looks at another battle that many have heard of but few understand. Let Steve guide you through the events leading up to the battle, the events of the 18th June 1815 itself, the main characters involved and what happened to them after the battle. It also proves that ABBA didn't have a clue what they were singing about! But, can you spot the 10 ABBA songs hidden in the talk?​ Not available for 2024.

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"Albert, The Last Warrior King"  A WW1 themed talk. Let Steve go back to his historical roots as he tells the story of King Albert 1st of Belgium and his gallant little army. We look at the early history of Belgium and this little nation's crucial contribution to the allied war effort during WW1. The only Head of State to fight on the front line and lead his army in battle, learn about this little known yet brave monarch. The talk includes original photographs (many not published) from the the Royal Belgian Military Museum, as well as German, French & British museum archives and is supported by a small collection of medals and Belgian WW1 ephemera.

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2024 will be my final year delivering talks and presentations

2024 Prices - The basic cost of a presentation is £60 + expenses

(petrol/parking/Dartford Crossing/speeding fines) where applicable. (E&OE)

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 £456.03 raised during 2018 

£743.31 raised during 2019/20

£185.42 raised during 2021

£349.32 raised during 2022

£490.21 raised during 2023

£200 raised so far in 2024

Total Raised to Date= £2,414.39

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Please Note: I am available to deliver talks on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings, afternoons & evenings.

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I am unable to deliver presentations via Zoom

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Talks can and will be cancelled due to work commitments (NHS). 

I will always endeavour to notify you of any problems should they arise in as much time as possible.

Dates of Forthcoming Presentations and Appearances

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22nd April 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Rotarians 151 Club (Eve Confirmed)

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24th April 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" Bishop’s Stortford U3A Family Tree/ History Group (AM (Confirmed))

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15th May 2024 - "That Billy Joel Talk" - Crayford Mothers Union (Eve (TBC))

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16th May 2024 - "That Billy Joel Talk" - Southfleet ARA (PM (TBC))

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20th May 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Waltham Forest Probus (PM TBC)

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28th May 2024 - "Doing Our Bit" - NHS Retirement Fellowship Bexley (AM (TBC))

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28th May 2024 "That Billy Joel Talk" - Bexleyheath Scout Fellowship - (Eve (TBC))

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3rd June 2024 (TBC) "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk - Harrietsham Historical Society (Eve (TBC))

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6th June 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Margate Civic Society (Eve (TBC))

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10th June 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Lord Byron Lodge Oddfellows (Eve (TBC))

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11th June 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - St Paul's Men's Group (Eve (TBC))

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12th June 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Orpington Oddfellows (PM (TBC))

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8th July 2024 - "Doing Our Bit" - Frindsbury WI (Eve (TBC))

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9th July 2024 - "Bits That Don't Fit" - Greenslade WI (PM TBC)

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10th July 2024 - "Battle Royale 1066" - Meopham Historical Society (Eve (TBC))

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18th July 2024 -  D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Dymchurch and District Heritage Group (Eve TBC)

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26th July (Fri) 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Higham Active Retirement Association (PM TBC)

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20th August 2024 - "That Billy Joel Talk" - Allington ARA (PM TBC)

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9th September 2024 - "Doing Our Bit" - Brenzett and District WI (Eve (TBC))

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10th September 2024 - "Bit's That Don't Fit" - Fairfield WI (Dartford) (Eve (TBC))

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11th - 16th September 2024 - Dates Unavailable

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9th October 2024 - "D-Day 80th Anniversary Talk" - Chatham Historical Society (TBC)

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15th October 2024 "That Billy Joel Talk" - Kent Group of Advanced Motorists (Eve Confirmed)

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21st November 2024 - "Bits That Don't Fit" - Tunbridge Wells U3A (PM (TBC))

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21st November 2024 - "Battle Royale 1066" - Dymchurch and District Heritage Group (Eve TBC)

 

27th November 2024 - "Bits That Don't Fit" - St Michael's ladies club (Eve Confirmed)

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11th December 2024 "Talk TBC" Bredhurst WI (Eve (TBC))

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My Last Presentation will be on 17 December 2024 at the United Reform Church, Bexley Village

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17th December 2024 "Doing Our Bit" - Bexley Historical Society (Eve Confirmed)

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