John Owen Smith – Wordsmith & Speaker

for Odes, Articles, Assignments and other ancillary issues . . .

As well as producing works about local history on page and on stage, I also –
give talks, run courses, organise festivals, write articles, do desk-top publishing,
take commissions for commemorative odes, and try to remember to feed the cat!
Contact me for details — List of Speaking engagements — Reviews & Recommendations — My CV

Talks:–

On the Trail of Flora Thompson (beyond Candleford Green) – what happened to the author of 'Lark Rise to Candleford' after she left Candleford Green? – She was surprised to find herself serving Arthur Conan Doyle and George Bernard Shaw through the grille of a Hampshire post office – learn more about her life from this talk.
One Monday in November … and beyond – the Selborne & Headley workhouse riots of 1830 (the Swing Riots) and their aftermath – the story that won't die, as my current correspondence with Australia proves!
Bringing Local History to Life! – most of us enjoy collecting stories and information from the past, but what do you do with it then? I'll tell you of the many and varied different things that I do with it. If you would like, as a group, to research your local history and do something useful with the results, this interactive session will get you started.
Hindhead is Safe! – or how The National Trust obtained Hindhead Common in 1906 – no ordinary story this, involving a suicide in the High Court, and frantic last-minute bidding at an auction.
Bringing Your Words to Book – self-publishing, how and when to do it – and how and when NOT to do it – including costs and tips from personal experience. Covers my own experiences in self-publishing for profit as well as for pleasure, with particular reference to local history, and gives general guidelines (and warnings) for anyone thinking of doing the same.
From Page to Stage – a general-interest talk in which I explain how to take a piece of local history, research it, and develop the result into a community play. This can involve the audience in play-acting if required.
'Good Stuff' –Papermaking – with particular emphasis on its place in the local history of Headley parish, but also taking a wider look at the properties and production of paper. This can include a demonstration of hand papermaking if time and facilities permit it.
A Parcel of Gold for Edith – letters from the Australian goldfields to England 1853-1875. The discovery of letters from a gt-gt-aunt in an old bureau leads to a 30-year search for the identity of an Australian Pioneer Woman. Also a book.
Images of Headley – an illustrated historical talk which 'perambulates' round the old boundaries of Headley parish then highlights some of its more notable buildings. (This is a 'Powerpoint' presentation using computer projection – requires suitable venue).

Open air too:– See photo at Waggoners Wells of my 'walk & talk' given to the Friends of Ludshott Common in 2003.

Courses:–
I can offer the following courses to groups, organisations, clubs, etc.

Writing for Profit and Pleasure – a 10-week creative writing course covering a different aspect or style of writing each week, and including help on the mechanics of using word processors and on publishing and presenting your work to the public.
Course includes practical assistance on how to write short stories, novels, poetry, dialogue and scripts, non-fiction and articles, etc. Homework is set, and constructive criticism by course members encouraged.

Discovering Local History – a 10-week course in how to use available records and other facilities to research the local history of your area.

For rates and other details, contact me

List of Speaking Engagements — 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009

1998

Jan 14 - Headley WI - Flora Thompson

Jan 21 - Petersfield Writing Group - Self-publishing

Jan 27 - Haslemere Writers Circle - Self-publishing

Feb 9 - Grayshott Primary School - Grayshott history

Feb 10 - Passfield WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 12 - Petersfield Ladies Lunch Group - Flora Thompson

Mar 10 - Ludshott Manor Residential Home - Flora Thompson

Mar 25 - Grayswood WI - Flora Thompson

Apr 28 - Methodist Group, Liphook - Flora Thompson

Apr 29 - Headley Brownies - Local History

Jun 27 - Winchester Writers Conference - Self-publishing

Jun 30 - Beacon Hill Heather Club - Flora Thompson

Jul 9 - Society of Women Writers and Journalists - Self-publishing

Sep10 - Liphook Civil Service - Flora Thompson

Sep 19 - Grayshott & Hindhead Literary Festival - Flora Thompson

Oct 8 - Medstead WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 19 - Winchester & District TUC - Swing Riots

1999

Jan 6 - Woolmer Forest Archaeological & Historical Society - Flora Thompson

Jan 11 - Lindford WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 2 - Grayshott Primary School - Flora Thompson

Feb 11 - Friends of Curtis Museum, Alton - Flora Thompson

Feb 16 - Grayshott Hall - Local History

Feb 19 - Jubilee (over 60s) Club, Whitehill - Flora Thompson

Mar 2 - Medstead Players - Script-writing

Mar 4 - WordWrights, Titchfield - Writing

Mar 25 - Liss Area Historical Society - Local history

Jun 15 - Ludshott Manor - Local History

Sep 1 - Farnham Social & Wine Circle - Page to Stage

Oct 6 - Whitehill & Blackmoor WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 7 - The Headley Society - Paper making

Nov 18 - West Surrey Group of the AOUG - Flora Thompson

2000

Feb 1 - Swarraton & Northington WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 2 - Sherfield on Loddon WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 3 - Wield WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 8 - Lovedene WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 10 - Odiham WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 23 - Petersfield Villages Group of WIs - Flora Thompson

Mar 20 - Hyden WI - Flora Thompson

Apr 19 - Halterworth WI - Flora Thompson

May 23 - Weyford Junior School, Bordon - Local history

May 24 - Basingstoke Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Swing Riots

Jul 19 - Stakes WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 6 - Crookham Village WI - Page to stage

Sep 19 - Chilbolton WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 21 - Hammer Vale WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 26 - Headley Down Residents Assoc - Local history

Oct 12 - Lockswood WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 17 - Solent Writers Circle - Writing

Oct 19 - Wallington WI - Flora Thompson

Nov 8 - Haslemere U3A - Local history

Nov 25 - Standford, Passfield & Hollywater Society - Flora Thompson

Nov 28 - Tower Road Hindhead, Men's Luncheon Club - Local History

Nov 30 - Liss Area Historical Society - Swing Riots

2001

Jan 10 - Petersfield Area Historical Society - Local history

Jan 15 - Bitterne Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Swing Riots

Jan 16 - Haslemere WI - Flora Thompson

Jan 16 - Bepton WI, Midhurst - Flora Thompson

Jan 17 - Liphook WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 7 - Sherfield on Loddon WI - Swing Riots

Feb 12 - Alton Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Local history

Feb 13 - Grayshott Primary School - Local authors

Feb 15 - Holybourne WI - Flora Thompson

Feb 16 - Basingstoke Ladies Probus Club - Flora Thompson

Feb 20 - St Luke's Women's Group, Grayshott - Flora Thompson

Feb 21 - Locks Heath WI - Flora Thompson

Mar 5 - Sherborne St John WI - Flora Thompson

Mar 7 - Balcombe WI - Flora Thompson

Mar 14 - Gosport Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Swing Riots

Mar 28 - Horsham over-60s - Flora Thompson

Apr 4 - Haslemere Stroke Club - 'Hindhead is Safe'

May 10 - Holmbury St Mary WI - Flora Thompson

May 11 - Barton-on-Sea Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Flora Thompson

May 16 - Headley Residents Association - Local History

Jun 7 - Betchworth WI - Flora Thompson

Jun 12 - Shere, Gomshall and Peaslake Local History Society - Flora Thompson

Jun 14 - River Park WI, Winchester - Flora Thompson

Jul 12 - St John's Hook Heath, Woking WI - Swing Riots

Jul 17 - Durrington WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 15/16 - Grayshott & Hindhead Literary Festival

Sep 26 - Basingstoke Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Flora Thompson

Sep 27 - Kingscote WI, East Grinstead - Flora Thompson

Oct 11 - Long Sutton WI - Swing Riots

Oct 18 - Hammer Vale WI - Local History

Oct 25 - Arford WI - Flora Thompson

Dec 14 - West Surrey FHS - Flora Thompson

2002

Jan 9 - Martin & Damerham WI - Flora Thompson

Jan 15 - Haslemere WI - Page to Stage

Jan 16 - Bordon & Whitehill Gardening Club - Swing riots

Feb 4 - Grayshott Primary School - Publishing

Feb 6 - Haslemere House & Garden Society - Local History

Feb 7 - Wield WI - Swing riots

Feb 18 - Bitterne [Southampton] HGS - Flora Thompson

Feb 19 - Liphook U3A history group - Local history

Mar 9 - Haslemere Natural History Group - Flora Thompson

Mar 13 - Solent Guild of Woodcarvers & Sculptors - Craft of Papermaking

Mar 14 - Long Sutton WI - Flora Thompson

Mar 20 - Basingstoke Ladies' Probus Club - Swing riots

Apr 23 - St John's Good Companions, Woking - Swing riots

Apr 29 - Liss Winemakers - A Balance of Trust

May 2 - The Headley Society - Swing riots

May 14 - Fleet U3A - Swing riots

May 15 - Surrey Staff Retirement Association, Farnham Branch - Flora Thompson

May 22 - Haslemere Stroke Club - Flora Thompson

Jun 10 - Liphook U3A - Flora Thompson

Jun 11 - Overton WI - Flora Thompson

Jun 20 - Yateley Society - Flora Thompson

Jul 9 - Churt WI - Flora Thompson

Jul 10 - Sidlesham WI (near Selsey) - Flora Thompson

Jul 11 - Fleet & Farnborough HGS - Flora Thompson

Jul 16 - Alton TWG - Swing Riots

Sep 19 - Sarisbury Green WI - Swing riots

Oct 9 - Gosport HGS - Flora Thompson

Oct 15 - Brookwood WI - Swing riots

Oct 17 - Holybourne WI - Swing riots

Nov 13 - Harrow Way over-55s Club, Basingstoke - Swing riots

Nov 13 - Surrey Heath Local History Club - Flora Thompson

Nov 18 - Hook Local History Group - Swing riots

Nov 20 - Grayshott Wine Circle - Canadians in WW2

Dec 3 - Elstead WI - Local History

2003

Jan 14 - Liphook U3A, local history group - Swing riots

Jan 20 - Woking over-50s Friendship Club - Swing riots

Jan 21 - Lavant WI - Flora Thompson

Jan 23 - Bramshott & Liphook Preservation Society - Swing riots

Feb 3 - North Hants Centre of NT Members - Flora Thompson

Feb 5 - Whitehill & Blackmoor WI - Swing riots

Feb 10 - Grayshott Primary School - 'In the Past'

Feb 11 - (am) Grayshott WI - Swing riots

Feb 11 - (pm) Churt WI - Swing riots

Feb 11 - (eve) Stroud WI, near Petersfield - Page to Stage

Feb 12 - Hale WI, near Farnham - Swing riots

Feb 25 - Alton WI - Swing riots

Mar 11 - Busbridge WI, Godalming - Swing riots

Mar 19 - Surrey Staff Retirement Assoc - Swing riots

Mar 25 - Liphook Ramblers - Flora Thompson

Apr 9 - Mengeham WI, Hayling Island - Flora Thompson

May 6 - Churt Retirement Club - Swing riots

May 8 - Ash Vale Camera Club - Local History

May 9 - Barton-on-Sea Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Swing riots

May 15 - Family History Group, Liphook U3A - Local Genealogy

May 21 - (pm) Surrey Staff Retirement Association, Camberley - Swing riots

May 21 - (eve) Bordon & Whitehill Gardening Club - Flora Thompson

Jul 16 - Liphook WI - Swing riots

Jul 18 - Whitehill Jubilee Club - Swing riots

Jul 23 - Winton Probus Club - Swing riots

Jul 25 - West Surrey FHS (AGM) - Swing riots

Aug 6 - Liss Friendly Social Club - Flora Thompson

Aug 31 - Friends of Ludshott & Passfield Commons - Historical Walk on Ludshott Common, the East End

Sep 2 - Headley Wives - Flora Thompson

Sep 4 - Kingsley WI - Swing riots

Sep 8- Lindford WI - Page to Stage

Sep 9 - NHS Retirement, Farnham - Local history

Sep 10 - (pm) Selsey WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 10 - (eve) Shalden WI - Swing riots

Sep 16 - Haslemere & District Round Table - Swing riots

Sep 17 - Alresford Historical & Literary Society - Flora Thompson

Sep 18 - Meonstoke, Corhampton & Exton WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 19 - Alton U3A - Flora Thompson

Oct 30 - Farnham & District Museum Society - Swing riots

Nov 18 - Alton Townswomen's Guild - Flora Thompson

Nov 22 - WEA Havant (day school) - Flora Thompson

2004

Jan 12 - Beacon Hill WI - Swing riots

Mar 4 - Church Crookham WI - Page to Stage

Mar 8 - Alton Branch, Hampshire Genealogical Society - Local History

Apr 5 - Bordon Library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Apr 6 - Grayshott Arthritis Care - Flora Thompson

Apr 13 - Liphook U3A - Hindhead murder

Apr 15 - Millbridge WI, Frensham - Swing riots

Apr 19 - Locks Heath Wives - Flora Thompson

Apr 21 - Havant library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Apr 27 - Farnborough U3A - Swing riots

May 4 - Petersfield Civil Service Retirement Fellowship - Swing riots

May 6 - West Surrey FHS, Dorking - Flora Thompson

May 10 - Chineham library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 11 (am) - Tadley library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 11 (pm) - Basingstoke library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 12 (am) - Ash U3A Family History Group - Bringing Your Words to Book

May 12 (eve) - Froyle Ladies Group - Swing riots

May 13 (am) - South Ham library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 13 (pm) - Kingsclere library - WW2 memoirs for the BBC website

May 14 - Waterlooville library - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 25 - Allen Gallery, Alton - WW2 memories for the BBC website

May 27 - Eastleigh Museum - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 9 - Willis Museum, Basingstoke - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 10 - Havant Museum - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 14 - Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 15 (pm) - Midhurst U3A - History of Hindhead

Jun 15 (eve) - Alice Holt WI, Rowledge - Swing riots

Jun 16 - Gosport Museum - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 17 - Andover Museum - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 18 - Red House Museum, Christchurch - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 24 - St Barbe Museum, Lymington - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Aug 19 - Cliddesden WI - Flora Thompson

Aug 25 - Winton Probus Club - Flora Thompson

Sep 7 - Chipstead WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 10 - Grayshott Hall - Local History (first of an occasional series)

Sep 17 - Alton U3A - Swing riots

Sep 28 - Sherfield English WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 20 - Ashtead ARP/50 - Flora Thompson

Nov 11 - Friends of Curtis Museum, Alton - Swing riots

Nov 19 - WEA Havant - Swing riots

Nov 25 - Basingstoke Probus Club - Swing riots

2005

Jan 10 - Farnham U3A - Flora Thompson

Jan 11 - Grayshott WI - Flora Thompson

Jan 28 - Surrey FHS, Farnham - Flora Thompson

Feb 3 - The Headley Society - Flora Thompson

Feb 12 - Haslemere Natural History Society - Swing Riots

Feb 23 - Shottermill WI - Page to Stage

Mar 9 - Harrow Way over-55s Club, Basingstoke - Flora Thompson

Apr 9 - Sussex Family History Group AGM - Swing Riots

Apr 12 - North Emsworth WI - Flora Thompson

Apr 26 - The Binsted Society - Swing Riots

Apr 28 - Chiddingfold Ladies - Flora Thompson

May 9 - Petersfield U3A - Swing Riots

May 17 - Aldershot Manor TWG - Swing Riots

May 18 - Alresford Historical & Literary Society - Swing Riots

May 24 - Woodlands Hall, Headley Down - WW2 memories for the BBC website

Jun 23 - South Ham library, Basingstoke - local history project

Jun 28 - Surrey FHS, Walton - 'Bringing your words to book'

Jun 29 - Harrow Way over-55s Club, Basingstoke - 'Parcel of Gold for Edith'

Jul 19 - Midhurst U3A - Flora Thompson

Sep 20 - Yapton & Ford WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 10 - Haslemere U3A - Flora Thompson

Oct 12 - Cove & Farnborough WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 14 - Milford U3A - Swing Riots

Oct 18 - Ewhurst History Society - Flora Thompson

Nov 3 - Crofton Ladies Luncheon Club, Alverstoke - Flora Thompson

Nov 8 - Farnham TWG - Flora Thompson

Nov 9 - Bordon library - Introduction to Headley

Nov 12 - Haslemere Natural History Society - Hindhead Common & The National Trust

Dec 21 - Godalming Local History Society - Hindhead Common & The National Trust

2006

Jan 16 - Lindford WI - Swing Riots

Jan 23 - Probus Club of Deane - Swing Riots

Feb 7 - Hangers Archaeological Society - Swing Riots

Feb 9 - Fleet & Farnborough HGS - Swing Riots

Feb 23 - Basingstoke Probus Club - Hindhead Common & The National Trust

Mar 1 - Wrecclesham WI - Page to Stage

Mar 2 - The Headley Society - Illustrated talk on Headley

Mar 21 - Worldhams WI - Flora Thompson

Mar 28 - Petersfield South Downs Probus Club - Swing Riots

Apr 11 - Frensham & Dockenfield Historical Society - Swing Riots

Apr 27 - Women's Royal British Legion, Headley - Hindhead Common & The National Trust

May 15 - Petersfield Library - Flora Thompson

Jun 15 - Hillingdon Family History Society - Flora Thompson

Jun 21 - Salisbury Branch, Wilts FHS - Swing Riots

Jun 25 - Rural Life Centre, Tilford (Women's Day) - Flora Thompson

Jul 19 - Surrey Staff Retirement Association, Camberley - Flora Thompson

Jul 28 - West Surrey FHS, Farnham - 'Bringing your words to book'

Sep 12 - Liphook U3A Local History Group - Hindhead Common & The National Trust

Sep 27 - Waterlooville U3A - Flora Thompson

Oct 4 - Hawley WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 12 - Andover HGS - Swing Riots

Oct 17 - Alice Holt WI - Flora Thompson

Nov 15 - Winchester HGS - Flora Thompson

Dec 19 - Alton U3A - Local History

2007

Jan 8 - Farnham U3A - Swing Riots

Feb 1 - The Headley Society - Canadians in WW2

Feb 5 - Portsmouth HGS - Flora Thompson

Feb 13 - Mottisfont & Dunbridge WI - Swing Riots

Feb 22 - Basingstoke Probus Club - Flora Thompson

Mar 13 - Portsmouth Branch, The Historical Association - Swing Riots

Mar 28 - Sussex Family History Group, Chichester - Swing Riots

Apr 5 - The Headley Society - 'Parcel of Gold for Edith'

Apr 18 - Gosport Society - Flora Thompson

Jun 7 - Ramsdell Ladies Club - Swing Riots

Jun 11 - Lindford WI - Papermaking

Jun 26 - Hundred of Portsdown Local History Group - Swing Riots

Jul 5 - Woolmer Hill School, Haslemere - Papermaking

Jul 6-9 & 13/14 - Directing Flora's Peverel in east Hampshire/west Surrey

Jul 10 - Yateley TWG - Flora Thompson

Jul 24 - Alton WI - Flora Thompson

Sep 4 - Swarraton & Northington WI - Swing Riots

Sep 11 - West Surrey FHS, Guildford - 'Bringing you words to book'

Sep 17- Haslemere U3A local history section - Hindhead and local history

Sep 19 - West Surrey FHS, Camberley - 'Bringing you words to book'

Sep 21 - Fleet & Crookham Local History Group - Swing Riots

Sep 26 - Sussex Family History Group, Crawley - Swing Riots

Oct 11 - Fareham HGS - Swing Riots

Oct 16 - Midhurst U3A - Swing Riots

Oct 17 - Bourne WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 24 - Farthingfield Sheltered Housing, Headley - Headley history

Nov 15 - Alton Ramblers - Swing Riots

2008

Jan 8 - Farnham TWG - Swing Riots

Jan 16 - Haslemere Luncheon Club - Swing Riots

Jan 17 - Hammer Vale WI - Swing Riots

Feb 12 - Fair Oak HGS - Flora Thompson

Feb 19 - Alice Holt WI - Local history

Mar 12 - Haslemere U3A Literature Group - Flora Thompson

Mar 20 - Yateley Society - Flora Thompson

Apr 3 - Bramshott & Liphook Preservation Society - The Peverel Papers

Apr 7 - Lindford Parish Council - Flora Thompson

Apr 16 - Yateley WI - Flora Thompson

Apr 18 - Holy Cross Hospital, Haslemere - Local history

Apr 21 - Hook Local History Group - Flora Thompson

Jul 10 - Denmead Probus - Swing Riots

Jun 11 - Old Basing TWG - Flora Thompson

Jun 16 - Surbiton Hill Methodist Church Network Fellowship - Flora Thompson

Jun 24 - Alton Hard of Hearing - Swing Riots

Jul 3 - Elstead WI - Flora Thompson

Jul 14 - Bramshott WI - Flora Thompson

Aug 12 - Southampton Society for the Blind - Flora Thompson

Aug 14 - Medstead WI - Swing Riots

Aug 19 - Alton TWG - Flora Thompson

Sep 4 - Frimley Green TWG - Swing Riots

Oct 1 - Burghclere WI - Swing Riots

Oct 14 - Friends of Basing House - Flora Thompson

Oct 17 - Ringwood Group WIs - Flora Thompson

Nov 12 - Farnham Ladies Club - Flora Thompson

Nov 19 - Fleet U3A - Flora Thompson

2009

Apr 14 - Chidham WI - Flora Thompson

Jul 9 - Hyde & Frogham WI - Flora Thompson

Aug 20 - Millbridge WI - Flora Thompson

Oct 15 - Bidbury Mead WI - Flora Thompson

For rates and other details, contact me

Reviews & Recommendations

Speaker adept at bringing history to life – Alice Holt WI was pleased to welcome back John Owen Smith as the speaker as he had greatly entertained members with two previous talks…

What a superb evening! We all enjoyed hearing your research into the background of Flora's travels and to be given it by a Local Historian, Family Historian and an Actor, such a combination. [West Surrey FHS, Farnham branch]

Members of Passfield and District WI felt that John Owen Smith was one of the best speakers they had ever had.

Jo Smith, one of last year's popular speakers, gave a lively talk on the Selborne and Headley Workhouse Riots of 1830. [Churt WI]

Mr Smith enthralled his audience with a talk called 'On the Trail of Flora Thompson, beyond Candleford Green'. He spoke of his recently-published book of the same name and the research he had undertaken to trace the people mentioned by Flora in her books.

Being a local celebrity, and knowing the places where Flora had lived and worked, made the talk all the more interesting.

Jo Smith has carried out an amazing amount of research into Flora Thompson's life and his enthusiasm for the subject came through to us all. [Headley Wives' Group]

Mr Smith has personally published Heatherley and other works, and the audience showed a good deal of interest in his publishing techniques. Do we have a lot of budding authors in our midst? [West Surrey FHS, Guildford branch]

Thank you for such an interesting talk … like Oliver Twist, we would all have liked more. [Surrey Heath Local History Club]

Jo Smith visited us to give his excellent talk 'Flora Thompson, beyond Candleford Green'.… If your group hasn't booked him yet, I recommend you should do so; you will be in for a treat! [Hampshire Genealogical Society, Fleet & Farnborough branch]

I looked at the October programme and was not too impressed: 'Flora Thompson in East Hampshire' by John Smith. Who in the world was Flora Thompson? Well, John Smith soon told us. John is such an accomplished speaker and with so much enthusiasm for his subject that we began to wonder why we had never heard of this wonderful writer called Flora Thompson. [Hampshire Genealogy Society, Gosport branch]

Jo Smith gave an interesting talk for May's meeting on 'The Selborne & Headley Workhouse Riots' which occurred in November 1830. He brought his talk alive by the use of taped recordings so that you felt you were actually listening to the events as they happened. The story behind the riots was explained together with the resulting consequences, which included transportation to Australia for the principal characters involved. 170 years after the event it brought home the conditions that our ancestors suffered. A most enjoyable evening and lecture. [Hampshire Genealogy Society, New Milton & Christchurch branch]

Thank you so much for speaking to our Society … you are so enthusiastic and refreshing. Also you speak so clearly that our older and slighly deaf members cannot have had any problems. It was a fascinating talk and you had better be prepared for a request to give another at some stage. [Alresford Historical & Literary Society]

Thank you very much for giving us such an interesting and enjoyable afternoon. [Midhurst U3A]

('Hindhead is Safe') It was fascinating, and I think you may have gleaned how interested your audience was by their questions and anecdotes. We really did enjoy it very much, so this is a thank you from all of us. [Haslemere Natural History Society]

The presentation (Swing Riots) as a mix of play and talk was most unusual. The different characters in different dialects also came over very well, making what could have been a dull subject very interesting. Your enthusiasm and interest in your research kept us all very attentive. [The Hundred of Portsdown Local History Group]