Ten Years in the Outer Hebrides

Gerald Ponting


Regions:
Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire
Notice Period:
Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
Type:
Experienced
Fee:
Paid: £60 + travel - or £50 on Zoom
Category:
Nature
Updated:
13th January 2024

Gerald was a teacher in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His fully-illustrated talk covers something of the way of life on the island, his family's attempts at self-sufficiency (vegetables, chickens, goats, sheep, peat-cutting) - and his deep involvement as an amateur archaeologist, centred around Callanish, the so-called Stonehenge of the Hebrides. Local discoveries of stone axes, of an Iron Age farm and of the skull and brooches of a 'Viking princess' were brought to him before the Edinburgh professionals became involved.

Views: 487 | Enquiries: 1

About Gerald Ponting

With a background in talks using colour slides, dating back several decades, I found the conversion to digital presentations allowed much more scope for my illustrated talks. All are illustrated by my award-winning photography and most include short musical interludes. I am frequently praised for my enthusiasm and knowledge of my subjects.
My special interests include wild flowers, local history and prehistoric stone circles. I also present talks on photography and travel.
My part-time occupation as a speaker dates back to 1965. In 1984, I addressed a number of groups in the United States, including Harvard and the Smithsonian Institution. Since early retirement, my talks have become much in demand by numerous local societies. I also present talks more widely, thanks to ZOOM.
I grew up on a small farm in Hampshire. As a Biology Teacher, my 30-year career was divided between Suffolk, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) and back in Hampshire. I have written over 20 books on the local history of several Hampshire communities. My new book on wild flowers – their folklore and the origin of their names – was published in November 2023.
AN UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL: What a revelation! A speaker who not only knew his subject, but spoke from the heart ... without pauses, hesitations, ‘umm’ & ‘errs’. His illustrations kept coming ... highlighting his subject matter ... and weren’t covered in bullet points. If only other so-called ‘speakers' whom we have Zoomed ... were as interesting and professional in their approach to such presentations and had been as good. Highly recommended viewing ... - member of Wherwell History Group


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