I love bringing history to life through my unique blend of theatre, history and re-enactment, which draws on my extensive research into Devon’s sixteenth century history, Tudor life and Tudor/Elizabethan dress.
I offer a fleixble range of talks and costume demonstrations, all over the West Country and beyond. I am also available for living history/re-enactment events and to talk about my writing at book club meetings. For bookshiops I can offer talks or can simply come along to sign copes of my book..
I’m often dressed in clothing of the time which I create myself, but am also happy to present in twenty-first century attire when appropriate.
Talks available include:
An Audience with the Lady Katherine and a peep inside her wardrobe Travel back in time with the Lady Katherine and learn about her life in Tudor Devon and the amazing clothes she wore. Includes a full demonstration of the costume of a wealthy sixteenth century woman.
A Woman of Noble Wit Devon produced some larger-than-life sixteenth century characters and the stories of men like Drake and Raleigh are well known. But behind those famous men stood wives, sisters, daughters, and mothers who also have a story to tell. In this presentation I introduce Katherine Champernowne, the mother of both Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert and discuss the research that underpins my historical novel of her life A Woman of Noble Wit
Bessie’s tale — the life of a typical sixteenth century serving woman Adopting the clothing and persona of a Tudor working woman I give a flavour of life for the lower and “middling” sorts. Includes a full costume demonstration and discussion of fabrics, needlework and knitting.
A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine Appearing in full period costume I bring the festivities, feasting and fun of a Tudor Christmas to life in a lively presentation interspersed with songs from the peasant David. Travel back in time as a guest invited to join Sir Philip Champernowne’s Christmas feast at the Court House Modbury and discover the etiquette, the menu and the customs of the twelve days of a sixteenth century Christmas.
Meet the author - my writing journey into historical fiction.
Contact me to discuss your group's particular interests
Contact meDate | Location | Event |
---|---|---|
Oct. 18, 2023 | Newton Abbot Museum | School group |
Oct. 19, 2023 | For Newton Abbot Curious Club at 2pm | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Oct. 23, 2023 | For Pinhoe Angels at United Reformed Church, Pinhoe, Exeter | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Oct. 24, 2023 | For Ashburton U3A at 2.30pm | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 16, 2023 | For AWOL, St Andrews Church Hall, Ashburton | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 18, 2023 | St Nicholas Priory at 2pm * Tickets on sale via St Nicholas Priory website * | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 23, 2023 | For Totnes U3A at St John's Church Totnes | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 25, 2023 | Combeinteignhead Village Hall * tickets on sale via Combeinteignhead Village Hall website | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 2, 2023 | Alphington Village Hall * Evening performance - tickets on sale via Alphington Village Hall and Eventbright * | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 4, 2023 | For Torquay Methodist Lunch Group | Bessie's Tale at Christmas |
Dec. 7, 2023 | For the Devon Rural Archive at 7pm * tickets on sale via DRA website | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 7, 2023 | For Topsham History Group at 2.30pm | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 11, 2023 | For Abbotskerswell History Group | Bessie's Tale at Christmas |
Dec. 13, 2023 | For Bovey Tracey Activities Trust | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 14, 2023 | For The Devonshire Association (South Devon Branch) at 2.15pm | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Jan. 23, 2024 | For Brixham Ladies Forum at 10am | Bessies Tale |
Jan. 30, 2024 | Callington Town Hall for Callington New Outlook | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Feb. 6, 2024 | For Thorvertorton WI | Bessie's Tale |
Feb. 8, 2024 | For Dawlish Ladies Guild | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Feb. 13, 2024 | For Whimple WI, The Hub, Willow Park View, Whimple. | Bessie's Tale |
Feb. 14, 2024 | For Bere Ferrers WI | To be confirmed |
Feb. 19, 2024 | For Ipplepen Local History Group at Ipplepen Village Hall | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Feb. 22, 2024 | For Teign U3A | A Woman of Noble Wit |
Feb. 28, 2024 | For Teignmouth Gems Wi at Richard Noble Hall, Teignmouth | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
March 4, 2024 | For the Monday Club at the Avenue Church, Newton Abbot | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
March 11, 2024 | For Haytor Vale WI | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
March 18, 2024 | For Ilsham WI at St Matthias Church, Welswood, | A Woman of Noble Wit |
March 19, 2024 | For Exeter Ladies Probus Club | To be confirmed |
March 20, 2024 | For Wellswood Ladies Club at St Mathias Church Hall, Torquay at 1.30pm | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
April 8, 2024 | For Exmouth Historical and Archeological Society at 7.30pm | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
April 17, 2024 | For Crediton U3A at the Boniface Centre Crediton at 10am | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
April 18, 2024 | For Babbacombe and St Marychuch Local History society | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
April 26, 2024 | For English Riviera Literary Festival, Palace Theatre, Paignton at 10.30am * tickets on sale via Place Theatre website* | Daughters of Devon and Introducing my new novel The Dartington Bride |
May 2, 2024 | Speedwell Hall, Crewkerne | Bessies Tale |
June 5, 2024 | For North Tawton WI | Bessie's Tale - TBC |
June 12, 2024 | Simonsbath Festival, Simonsbath Exmoor, Devon - *Tickets via the festival* | Daughters of Devon - tbc |
June 19, 2024 | For Alphington WI at Alphington Village Hall | Bessie's Tale |
June 22, 2024 | A seminar for Wolf Hall Weekend, Cadhay House, Devon | Tudor Fashion Icons: The influence of Henry's queens on sixteenth century fashion |
July 4, 2024 | For Cheddar U3A 2.30pm, Cheddar Village Hall | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
July 9, 2024 | For Withycombe Raleigh WI at Glenorchy Church, Exmouth at 2pm | Bessie's Tale |
July 11, 2024 | With Michael Martyn for Newton Abbot Association of the National Trust | TBC |
Sept. 3, 2024 | For Harberton and Harbertonford History Society | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Sept. 6, 2024 | Dartington Hall | Historical Novel Society Conference - 6 - * September |
Oct. 15, 2024 | For Salcombe WI | Bessie's Tale |
Oct. 21, 2024 | For Tipton St John Ladies Group | An Audience with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 6, 2024 | For South Hill WI, South Hill, Cornwall | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 15, 2024 | Speedwell Hall, Crewkerne - *Tickets will be available via the Speedwell Hall* | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 20, 2024 | Mortonhampsetad History Society at 7.30pm | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Dec. 11, 2024 | For Uffculme WI at 7pm | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
March 4, 2025 | For the "R" club, The Mint Church, Exeter | tbc |
Nov. 11, 2025 | For Lutra Vallis Ladies Probus Group at the Blue Ball Inn, Sidford | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 19, 2025 | For Honiton U3A at then Beehive Centre, Honiton | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |
Nov. 25, 2025 | For Ashburton U3A, Town Hall, Ashburton | A Tudor Christmas with the Lady Katherine |