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We’re delighted to have a new programme of talks and recitals to offer. We have 2 principal subjects this term: our archaeological and artistic heritage – interspersed with reflections on and around Remembrance Day in November, and Christmas in December (including 3 concerts to which all are invited to participate, including children).

You can find the dates in the calendar, with full details shown below or to download HERE. All events are held at St Augustine’s Church and Community Centre in Richmond Road and are open to all. Entry is normally free, although a small charge or retiring collection may be held where fees are requested by speakers or performers. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice and nibbles are served at most events.

TO BE RESCHEDULED – ALCONBURY’S ROMANO-CELTIC VILLA
We are sorry to say that this talk has had to be postponed and will not take place on 6th October as planned.

Patrick Lambert, an archaeologist with Oxford Archaeology, will explain the findings of a recent dig on the old RAF Alconbury site, which revealed an ancient Romano Celtic Villa – to be featured on the BBC’s Digging for Britain programme in January 2024.

FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 6 – 7 PM WHITTLESEA’S BRONZE AGE SITE
Chris Wakefield of Cambridge Archeological Unit will speak on discovering the “Must Farm” Bronze Age site near Whittlesea, one of Cambridgeshire’s most exciting projects, a mere 3000 years old and well preserved.

SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 7PM – 8PM THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN CONCERT
Cambridge Chamber Music will entertain us with a musical tribute to the beauty of Autumn. Highlights include: Vivaldi’s Autumn Concerto; Sibelius’s Mignione Suite for flute and strings; Tchaikovsky’s October Song; and Autumn Leaves arranged in jazz style.

FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER 6PM- 7PM THE DEAD OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE: COWS AND CRUCIFICTION
Familiar with the phrase “What did the Romans ever do for us”? David Ingham, project
manager with Albion Archaeology in Bedford, will give his answer based on findings from a
remarkable roadside settlement discovered at Fenstanton.

FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER 6PM- 7PM GOOD GRIEF: COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT AND SADNESS FROM A HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE
Dr Harriet Shannon will draw on her experience as a research physiotherapist at UCL with a special interest in paediatric intensive care, and as a doctoral theology student, to offer insights into the grieving process after the death of a loved one. A prelude to Remembrance Day – see below.

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 6PM – 7PM REMEMBRANCE DAY CONCERT
With St Augustine’s Singers, conducted by Tim Brown and accompanied by Philip Mead (piano) and Caroline Mead (flute). The concert will follow a narrative about war – from the jaunty sentimental WW1 songs such as Pack up your Troubles, to a new setting for Wilfred Owen’s chilling poem “Sonnet (on seeing a piece of artillery brought into action”). Followed by the Requiem Mass of Morten Lauridson and a vision of paradise in Philip Mead’s work, The Nightingale for flute and choir to the words of Coleridge.

FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER 6PM – 7PM FROM PLASTER TO BRONZE
Directed, filmed and edited by Rhea Quien, From Plaster to Bronze will take us through the many stages of the bronze casting process as practised by The Bronze Age Fine Art Foundry in creating a well-known bust of Lord Mountbatten, Admiral of the Fleet in WW2.

FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 6PM – 7PM LOOKING FOR LOWRY
Watch this fascinating documentary film, starring Ian McKellen, about the life and work of the much loved artist L S Lowry – meeting those who knew him and those who have been inspired in our post-industrial age by his unique observations of Britain and by his powerful artistic legacy. Followed by a short revealing account of an interview with Lowry in 1965.

SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 6.30PM – 7.30PM A GLIMPSE OF NEW HORIZONS
Cambridge Chamber Music return with a selection of classical string pieces for cello, 2 pieces by Dobrinka Tabacova (Dawn and Longing), and the Love Theme from The Secret Garden and The Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet.

FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER 6PM – 7PM HIDDEN ART AND ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURES OF THE CAMBRIDGE COLLEGES
Dr Victoria Avery, Keeper, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, at the Fitzwilliam Museum, will introduce some of the extraordinary buildings and artwork that belong to the Cambridge Colleges but which are often hidden from view.

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 3.30PM – 4.30PM JOINT ROADS CAROL SERVICE
All are welcome to join with your neighbours and sing along with a selection of Christmas Carols led by Anne Taylor – and to enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 6PM – 7PM SEASONAL SONGS AND POEMS
Come and enjoy a short concert of Christmas music, readings and audience carols, presented by the well-known Cambridge choir Cantores, conducted by Jeremy Wong.

SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 6PM – 7.30PM THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
WTH PRIZES, CAROLS FOR CHILDREN AND CAROLS FOR ALL
Listen to, and identify if you can, the carols in The Christmas Carols Suite, a continuous jazz medley by David Johnstone. A concert for the little ones – and those young at heart – led by CCM.

…………. and don’t forget on SUNDAYS 1 October, 5 November and 3 December to come and share a COMMUNITY LUNCH at St Augustine’s starting at 1 pm: two courses with wine or fruit juice for only £8.00 ph.

And why not enjoy a coffee and cake at Café@99? Open every Monday and Friday from 10.45am to 12.15 pm at St Augustine’s in Richmond Road – a café run by and for the local community. Come to meet neighbours, share conversation, read a paper, or simply relax. Hosted by RRRA and St Augustine’s.

The programme is supported by Richmond, Oxford and Windsor Roads’ Residents’
Associations, and Benson Area Residents’ Association, and compiled by St
Augustine’s Church.

We’re delighted to have a new Spring programme of talks and recitals to offer, from energy efficiency to sublime music. You can find the dates in the calendar, with full details shown below or to download HERE. All events are held at St Augustine’s Church and Community Centre in Richmond Road and are open to all. Entry is normally free, although a small charge or retiring collection may be held where fees are requested by speakers or performers. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice and nibbles are served at most events.

FRIDAY 13 JANUARY 6 – 7 PM A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RETROFIT
“Retrofit” means redesigning existing buildings to make them more energy efficient.
Most of us can see that this is important, but where do you start and which measures are
best? Margaret Reynolds is an architect of 40 years standing and is now a qualified
Retrofit Co-ordinator. She will be taking us through Cambridge City Council’s new guide
“Retrofitting your Home” launched in December 2022 – see
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/media/11676/retrofitting-your-home-report.pdf

FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 6 – 7 PM DEALING WITH DROUGHT – FROM THE PRACTICAL TO THE EXOTIC
A changing climate is making us realise that traditional gardening must adapt to cope
with more extreme conditions by using more sustainable inputs with reduced carbon
emissions. Howard Griffiths, recently retired Professor of Plant Ecology in the
Department of Plant Sciences, will muse on various aspects of dry gardening, and whilst
his own background on tropical succulents suggests that we might encourage plants from
warmer climes, the recent cold snap provides a timely reminder of the sensitivity of such
plants – and those of climatic extremes!

FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 6 –7 PM CAMBRIDGE MUSEUM AND WHAT IT CAN TELL US ABOUT OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Roger Lilley from the Cambridge Museum will describe the origin and history of this
fascinating local museum, the story behind some of its intriguing exhibits, and how and
why they came to be here

SATURDAY 18 FEB 6 – 7.30 PM WINTER DREAMS: ROMANTIC, BEAUTIFUL AND EXCITING
Cambridge Chamber Music presents a concert dedicated to WINTER – including
pieces by Sibelius (Spring Quartet Intimate Voices), Grieg (Two Elegaic Melodies),
Telemann (Concerto for Two Violins), Bach (Concerto for Two Violins), Haas (Duo for
Viola and Cello), Schubert (Trout Quintet theme and variations) and Elizondo (Danzas
Latinoamericanas).

FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY 6 – 7 PM WHY ALL IS NOT WELL WITH THE RIVER CAM
Stephen Tomkins, Chairman of the Cam Valley Forum, will explain in an illustrated talk
and follow-up discussion, why there is now so much concern about the River Cam, as a
chalk-aquifer sourced stream, and about its future ecological well-being.

FRIDAY 10 MARCH 6 – 7 PM THE MIGRANTS OF CALAIS
It is difficult to comprehend the degree of desperation which motivates refugees to risk
their lives in refrigerated lorries and small dinghies to get from Calais to Britain, or to
live rough for months in the freezing cold without shelter or food while they wait their
chance. Mary Stretch, founder of Calais Light (which runs w/e convoys to volunteer
with refugee charities in Calais), will outline why refugees want to come to the UK and
why so many volunteers are willing to help them keep their hopes alive.

FRIDAY 24 MARCH 6 -7 PM FINDING W H HUDSON: THE WRITER WHO CAME TO BRITAIN TO SAVE THE BIRDS
WH Hudson, one-time celebrated author and naturalist, played a key part in the creation
of the RSPB and the rise of the modern day conservation movement. Conor Jameson
reveals how this unschooled, impoverished, battle-scared immigrant from Argentina
achieved what he did. He travels to Hudson’s homeland and discovers that he is
remembered and celebrated there, links his life and legacy to today, and compares then
and now. It’s a costume drama, with plenty of birds!

FRIDAY 31 MARCH 6 – 7.30 PM RRRA CHILDREN’S AFTERNOON CONCERT
… details to follow.

SATURDAY 1 APRIL THE DAWN OF HOPE
Cambridge Chamber Music presents a dramatic programme in Poetry and Music about
the season of SPRING and its resonances of hope for peace in the world. Highlights
include Vivaldi’s Spring from his 4 Seasons, Piazolla’s Spring from the 4 Seasons in
Buenos Aires, and Jose Elizondo’s The Dawn of Hope.

…………. and don’t forget on SUNDAYS 8 January, 5 February, 5 March and 2 April to come and share a COMMUNITY LUNCH at St Augustine’s starting at 1 pm : two courses with wine or fruit juice for only £8.00 ph.

And why not enjoy a coffee and cake at Café@99? Open every Monday and Friday from 10.45am to 12.15 pm at St Augustine’s in Richmond Road – a café run by and for the local community. Come to meet neighbours, share conversation, read a paper, or simply relax. Hosted by RRRA and St Augustine’s.

The programme is supported by Richmond, Oxford and Windsor Roads’ Residents’
Associations, and Benson Area Residents’ Association, and compiled by St
Augustine’s Church.

We’re delighted to have a new Autumn programme of talks and recitals to offer. You can find the dates in the calendar, with full details shown below or to download HERE. All events are held at St Augustine’s Church and Community Centre in Richmond Road and are open to all. Entry is normally free, although a small charge or retiring collection may be held where fees are requested by speakers or performers. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice and nibbles are served at most events.

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 7 – 10pm ‘QUIZ NIGHT’
All are welcome to take part in Richmond Rd Residents’ Association’s Annual Quiz Night. Teams of up to 6 people compete for the prestigious trophy awarded to the winning team. Supper and drinks are included in the £10 (adult) and £5 (children) entrance fee. Book your place now: JR.Footitt@gmail.com or 01223 364929. Further details to follow.

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER 6 – 7pm ‘CAMBRIDGE per diem’
Rosie Zanders is a recently retired Cambridge Blue Badge tourist guide, and author of Cambridge per diem, a book which contains an eclectic mix of Cambridge anniversaries, at least one for every day of the year. Rosie has long been fascinated by Cambridge time, and the personalities of those who passed through it, and will share some personal reflections on the passing of time, whilst focusing on some notable Cambridge stories. There will be a special mention of Cambridge connections on 14 October, the day of this talk. Her book can be found on www.cambridgebookshop.co.uk/products/cambridge-per-diem

FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER 6 –7pm CONVOY TO CALAIS – “WHY WE CHOOSE TO SUPPORT REFUGEES”
How we treat people seeking refuge and asylum in the UK has seldom been out of the news over recent years, and opinions are clearly divided as to what should be done. Climate change and wars in far-flung parts of the globe impact us all, but some areas and peoples are particularly vulnerable. Calais Light is a weekend-only refugee charity convoy that takes ordinary people to volunteer and support asylum seekers in Calais, and has first-hand experience of what it is to be a refugee. Mary Stretch, its founder, explains what is really going on over there and why her convoy is always fully booked. And in doing so, Mary will also want to hear your views on the issues highlighted.

FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 6 – 7pm ‘VAUGHAN WILLIAMS AND THE PARADOX OF THE ENGLISH HYMNAL’
Ralph Vaughan Williams, a self-confessed agnostic, played a key role in selecting and arranging the music for The English Hymnal, first published by OUP in 1906 and containing over 700 hymns. Philip Mead discusses that role, and the apparent paradox which it reveals.

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 6 – 7pm REMEMBRANCE DAY CONCERT
To celebrate 150 years since his birth, St Augustine’s Singers perform works by Ralph Vaughan Williams (Towards the Unknown Region and Five Mystical Songs), together with the world premiere of Simone Spagnolo’s new work specially written for this concert. Conducted by Paul Jackson, with Philip Mead on the piano and Alistair Bamford (bass).

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 6 – 7pm ‘DIPPERS OF THE MONGOLIAN ALTAI’
In the course of his work as a biologist in Mongolia, Andrew Laurie followed up on a childhood fascination with dippers by finding out more about their lives in the Altai of Mongolia, where White Throated Dippers are found in unpolluted streams and rivers, providing a good indicator of water quality. Andrew will describe his findings in the context of biodiversity in Mongolia, and illustrate them with photographs and films.

FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 6 – 7pm ‘A TOUR OF EUROPE IN SONG’
With the onset of winter, Tim Palmer (tenor) and Hugh Taylor (piano) will take us on a tour of Europe in song, looking forward to next summer with lovely weather, beautiful scenery and peace. Their recital will also explore some of the pitfalls of extensive travelling – even the possibility of finding love! Starting and ending in the UK, the tour will take in 14 countries with songs by Ireland, Godard, Faure, Diepenbrock, Eisler, Nielsen, Grieg, Stenhammar, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Dvorak, Schubert, di Capua, Schumann and Vaughan Williams. A feast of song!

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 6 – 7pm ‘GIORGIONE IN VENICE’
The Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a handsome Renaissance building on the Grand Canal in Venice, was originally decorated on the outside with frescos by Giorgione and Titian, the two great young artists of their age. Fragments of Giorgione’s work survived into the 19th century, fascinating the Victorian writer John Ruskin. Clive Wilmer, Emeritus Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, who has written on Ruskin and lived in Venice, will tease out some implications of these facts.

…………. and don’t forget on SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER, SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER, and SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER to come and share a COMMUNITY LUNCH at St Augustine’s starting at 1 pm : two courses with wine or fruit juice for only £8.00 ph.
And why not enjoy a coffee and cake at Café@99? Open every Monday and Friday from 10.45am to 12.15 pm at St Augustine’s in Richmond Road – a café run by and for the local community. Come to meet neighbours, share conversation, read a paper, or simply relax. Hosted by RRRA and St Augustine’s.

All events below are held at St Augustine’s Church and Community Centre in Richmond Road and are open to all. Entry is normally free, although a small charge or retiring collection may be held where fees are requested by speakers or performers. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice and nibbles are served at most events.

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER   6- 7 pm   LOOKING FOR THE GOSHAWK: THE LOST RAPTOR

Hear about the natural history of this enigmatic bird of prey, how and where it lives, and why it might be missing from our lives. Conor Jameson, who works for the RSPB, explains how his search for the Goshawk took him to some unexpected places at home and abroad, from city centres to dense forests – and how this adventure turned into a prize winning book.

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER   6 – 7 pm   100 000 MILLION STARS AND SILENCE:  ARE WE ALONE?

We live in a universe perfectly suited to our existence, in a galaxy of 100 000 million stars and possible as many planets, containing giant molecular clouds full of the building blocks of life, and yet it is silent out there. Dr Robin Catchpole of the Institute of Astronomy will consider the question as to whether there is life – and in particular intelligent life – beyond our planet, and if not perhaps why not.

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER        7 – 10.30 pm    QUIZ NIGHT  

Hosted by Richmond Road Residents’ Association, this popular annual quiz is open to teams from the local area who compete across a range of subjects for the magnificent Challenge Cup awarded to the winner on the night. Teams of 6 pay £12 pp to take part and the price includes a buffet meal and drinks. Book a place now (01223 364929).

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER   6 -7 pm     A PIANIST DOWN UNDER – DOUGLAS ZANDERS AND THE AUSTRALIAN ENTERTAINMENT UNIT IN WW II      

Douglas Zanders was a New Zealander who joined the Australian Army at the outbreak of WW II in the Pacific, firstly as an infantryman and then as part of a concert party providing entertainment to fighting units in Australia and New Guinea. This talk by his son, Ed Zanders, will provide the background to the unit and describe some of their experiences as they performed in various shows, often under arduous conditions in the jungle or outback.

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 6 – 7 pm   THE ART HISTORIAN GOES TO BETHLEHEM AND SINAI

Robin Cormack, Emeritus Professor at the Courtauld Institute, shows Byzantine mosaics, icons and books in places now difficult to reach but built in the Sixth Century AD as pilgrimage destinations for Christians. He uncovers new questions in old art.                                 

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 6- 7pm    A EUROPEAN EVENING OF MUSIC AND FOOD

Come and enjoy a choral concert of Brahms’ German Requiem with the St Augustine’s Singers conducted by Paul Jackson. Soloists include Alanya Reynolds (soprano), Alistair Bamford (baritone) – with Philip Mead (piano).

To be followed by an Italian Buffet Supper at 7.30pm prepared by Antonio and Celeste Potenzaros.                                                                     

SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER    7 – 9.30 pm    DRAWING  EXHIBITION

An exhibition of the latest collection of work by artists from St Augustine’s Drawing Group in a variety of styles and medium. Wine and nibbles available throughout.  

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER 6-7 pm  FRAGMENTS BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS:THE AZORES AND ATLANTIS

Nine small islands in the middle of the Atlantic have enchanted sailors and adventurers from the 15^th century to the present day, and fuelled speculation as to whether they once formed the lost land of Atlantis mentioned by Plato in c400BC. Richard Footitt explains his own life-long fascination with the Azores – and with the myth of Atlantis.  

SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER  6 – 7 pm     PIANO CONCERT

A tribute concert celebrating the Bicentenary of the birth of Clara Schumann, with compositions by Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann and of course Clara Schumann. Neil Colledge on the piano.

SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER     4 – 5.30 PM     COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE

Come and enjoy the real thing – a local Community Carol Service, with traditional lessons and carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies, and much more!

TUESDAY 1 JANUARY       10 AM – 12 PM    VIENNESE COFFEE HOUSE

A welcome return of the New Year Coffee House with drinks, cakes, and live music reminiscent of Vienna in the early 20^th century. Relax after the holidays in good company and with beguiling music played by Chihiro Ono (violin) accompanied by Philip Mead on the piano.

And why not enjoy a coffee and cake at Café@99? Open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at St Augustine’s – run by and for the local community.

… and don’t forget on  the 1^st SUNDAY of each month (1 SEPTEMBER, 6 OCTOBER, 3 NOVEMBER, 1 DECEMBER and 5 JANUARY) come and share a COMMUNITY LUNCH starting at 1 pm: two courses with wine and fruit juice for only £4.50 per head.

Separate publicity will appear for each event and on the St Augustine’s Calendar