Dr Richard Cottrell is a retired biochemist with wide scientific research experience in nutrition and food science. His early research was into the origins of cancer but he later broadened his range as he became responsible for a growing portfolio of research in nutrition, food science and toxicology. He now applies the same scientific rigour to historical research, the output of these enquiries form some of the subjects of his talks. He has an international experience in talking to audiences from school age to U3A, including demanding ones, such as Parliamentary groups, the Council of Europe and the national annual meetings of the Women's Farming Union and the Townswomen's Guild. He makes sure that his audience is always entertained, informed and engaged in every topic, however daunting it might, at first, appear. As a result he is usually invited back to give another talk. He is now retired and lives in Purbeck with his wife of over 50 years.