“Inn & Out at the Top” is a laugh-a-minute tour of the quirks and foibles, highs and lows of running Britain’s highest inn - so isolated that its next-door neighbour was 4 miles away and so high above sea level that it had its own climate, with winds that could tear car-doors off their hinges, and winter snows that cut off the inn for weeks on end.

A hugely engaging storyteller, Neil Hanson’s account of his time at the inn, grappling with tight-fisted farmers, eccentric characters, bizarre local customs, naturist weekends, “lates and lock-ins”, police raids, rats in the attic, close encounters with magistrates and planners, and the shooting of a famous double glazing commercial, is suitable for all audiences.

• ‘We have had such positive feedback about your speech. My husband laughed so much he was nearly crying!’ Sandy Rysiok, Society of Municipal Treasurers • ‘It really was a pleasure to host you. I have had nothing but positive responses since the dinner – you really hit the right note.’ Commander Andrew Coles, HMS Drake, Plymouth • ‘We’ve had some good speakers over the years but that was the top of the pile.’ East Devon Luncheon Club • ‘The best - and the best-received - of all the 100 events we have put on here.’ Ed Tracy, Executive Director, The Pritzker Library, Chicago • ‘Excellent, really enjoyable and entertaining.’ Lucy Moody, Head of Advertising, Everest Ltd. • ‘Fantastic, a tremendous evening.’ Amanda Lydon, New York City • ‘Great talk, we enjoyed it very much.’ Graham Hastings-Evans, President, British Association of Construction Heads • ‘Best Speaker’ (vote by audiences), Brisbane Festival • ‘It was a joy to have you with us... your presentation drew raves.’ National World War I Museum, Kansas City • ‘A wonderful talk, brilliant and so amusing.’ Jersey Ladies Literary Luncheon • ‘You were awesome.’ Thomas Power, Chairman, ecademy, London • ‘Thank you so much - your talk was brilliant.’ Meriel Jeater, Curator, Museum of London • ‘The audience loved it, as did we.’ Wendy Kent, Director, Knaresborough Festival • ‘A spellbinding talk. Thank you.’ New Zealand Book Council, Wellington • ‘Neil Hanson offered the audience a great display of verbal pyrotechnics.’ Sydney Festival • ‘You were a star, everyone really enjoyed listening to you.’ Yorkshire Post • ‘Your talk was very, very well received by our members - they loved it and are probably still laughing.’ Tarporley U3A • ‘I haven’t laughed so much in years.’ Audience member, Garforth U3A • ‘The best talk we’ve ever had.’ Ripon Ladies Luncheon Club • ‘The best speaker yet.’ Spalding U3A • ‘A resounding success. Your delivery was very impressive, almost off the cuff.’ Spelthorne U3A • ‘It was so uplifting to hear a speaker with such good communication and story-telling skills.’ Poynton Luncheon Club • ‘A wonderful talk.’ Huntingdon U3A • ‘An excellent talk, you had us all laughing out loud!’ Cleckheaton Women’s Luncheon Club • ‘Superb, amusing and insightful.’ Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association • ‘A great talk. Loads of compliments from people saying how much they enjoyed it! That’s unprecedented!’ Sheffield U3A
• ‘The talk was a huge hit with our audience, there have been a great many enthusiastic and positive comments.’ Ilminster Festival • ‘A brilliant talk, the best we’ve ever had.’ Leeds U3A • ‘There were three visitors in the audience and after your talk all three wanted to join our club. You have certainly set a high bar!’ Mowbray Probus Club • ‘Wonderfully entertaining - will be live at the Apollo next!’ Audience member, Knaresborough Festival • ‘The best speaker I've ever heard.' Audience member, Yate & Sodbury U3A • ‘Neil Hanson was an outstanding speaker – warm, funny, humane.’ Stephen Brown, Chairman, Yorkshire Post Literary Luncheons • ‘An entertaining and masterful performance.’ Bradford U3A • ‘Very amusing and entertaining. I’ve had some wonderful feedback from our members.’ Potters Bar U3A • ‘Very eloquent and very amusing talk. Everyone has said how much they enjoyed it.' Bramhope WI • ‘Such an entertaining talk. It was polished, professional and greatly appreciated by the audience who were totally involved and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.’ Swanland U3A • ‘Thank you for being a wonderful speaker. Your humour, wit and entertaining ability kept a very diverse audience entranced.’ Janet Munro, Soroptimist International • ‘Such confidence and humour and such a variety of experiences has given you great entertainment skills.’ Kirkburton Probus Club • ‘Great to have someone who is so clearly at ease, not only with the subject, but also with presenting it.’ Holme Valley U3A • ‘I’ve been a member for 20 years and that was one of the best talks we’ve ever had.’ Cranleigh Probus Club • ‘Our members thoroughly enjoyed your talk and the fluency and clarity with which it was presented.’ Bookham U3A • ‘A huge thank you to Neil Hanson for doing such a wonderful event. It went down fantastically well.’ Director, Ilkley Festival • ‘The most entertaining speaker we've ever had.’ Sittingbourne Probus Club • ‘We were delighted with your talk, one member said it was the best she had ever heard.’ Combined Essex WIs • ‘A wonderful speech, thank you.’ Audience member, New Orleans • ‘The feedback we have had has been tremendous.’ Off The Shelf, Sheffield • ‘Extremely amusing and entertaining,’ Ilkley U3A • ‘We have had some excellent speakers over the years, but you were the very best we have ever had.’ Organiser, Rossett and Wakeman Lectures