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The office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is perhaps England’s oldest military appointment, dating back to the days of the Norman Conquests. It has been filled by at least 12 members of the Royal Family, 8 Prime Ministers, distinguished statesman and a couple of illustrious Admirals.

This illustrated talk tells the story of four remarkable Lord Wardens who were appointed during the reign of Queen Victoria. What did they do to deserve their appointment? And what changes did they make to the castle and its award-winning gardens? 

Martin’s book Walmer Castle’s Amazing Lord Wardens (published in 2023) will be available to buy at the talk. 

The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is perhaps England’s oldest military appointment, dating back to the days of the Norman Conquests. It has been filled by at least 12 members of the Royal Family, 8 Prime Ministers, distinguished statesman and a couple of illustrious Admirals.

This illustrated talk tells the story of the ladies who featured in the lives of Lord Curzon, the meanest Lord Warden of modern times, and Lord Beauchamp, the most flamboyant Lord Warden of modern times. Who were they and what became of them?

Martin’s book The Lord Wardens’ Amazing Ladies (published in 2025) will be available to buy at the talk. It tells the story of the many remarkable women whose husbands, parents, friends and lovers were appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from Georgian times to the present day. 

What happened to unmarried domestic servants in the Victorian era who found themselves pregnant? And what happened when the man responsible for the pregnancy was a member of their employer’s family?

Mary Williams found herself in that unenviable position.  In her case, the man responsible for the pregnancy may have been Lord Douro, the eldest son of the Iron Duke, the 1^st Duke of Wellington, the country’s most famous soldier, twice Prime Minister and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for almost a quarter of a century. 

But rather than being dismissed, Mary found herself being promoted. She would be employed not only by the Iron Duke but also by the next three aristocrats who occupied the post of Lord Warden at Walmer Castle.  How did this happen and what else did she get up to? What happened to her daughter Elizabeth, perhaps the Iron Duke’s first grandchild? And what happened to Lord Douro?

This illustrated talk explains how an unexpected pregnancy may have tarnished their lives.

Martin’s book Tarnished Lives: Lord Douro’s Secret Daughter?  (published in 2026) will be available to buy at the talk. 

This illustrated talk tells the remarkable story of a botched murder investigation which spiralled out of control and led to the closure of  one of England's most popular  newspapers. It  also covers the disgraceful behaviour of many Fleet Street journalists – and their editors - who flagrantly broke the law to publish scoops that ruined lives and led to repercussions that are still being resolved by the courts today. 

The long-awaited coming of V-E Day, signifying victory in Europe, marked the end of Nazi Germany and Hitler’s Third Reich.

But how did journalists manage to evade the military censors and report it before the Allied powers were able to coordinate their momentous announcement?  

This illustrated talk traces the remarkable transformation of Christmas - from a largely religious feast into the national, family, commercial and media event  we know today. It explores the people, traditions, inventions and changing fashions that have shaped Christmas over the past centuries.