Medieval Torture Devices – Lena Heide Brennand – Zoom

Medieval Torture Devices

Step into the dark corridors of history with our captivating lecture on Medieval Torture Devices and Methods! Uncover the chilling ingenuity behind the instruments of pain that were used to extract confessions, punish the guilty, and instill fear in the hearts of the populace. From the infamous Iron Maiden to the sinister Rack, each device tells a haunting story of power, cruelty, and justice in a time when the line between right and wrong was often blurred. Join us as we explore the psychological and societal impacts of these methods, revealing how they shaped the legal systems of their time and echo in our understanding of justice today. With vivid imagery and gripping narratives, this lecture promises to be both educational and utterly enthralling—perfect for history buffs and the curious alike. Don’t miss the chance to delve into this fascinating yet macabre chapter of our past!

Bio:

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

There is Death in the Pot – Lena Heide-Brennand – Zoom

There is Death in the Pot

Join us for an exhilarating lecture exploring Frederick Accum’s groundbreaking work, “There is Death in the Pot,” a pivotal text from the 1800s that unearths the shocking truths about food safety and the dangers lurking in our diets. Delve into Accum’s daring investigation into food adulteration, revealing how common substances were manipulated to deceive consumers and endanger public health. This lecture will take you on a journey through the historical context of food science, the rise of consumer awareness, and the implications of Accum’s findings on modern food legislation. With engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights, discover how Accum’s legacy continues to resonate in today’s culinary world. Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of a topic that is as relevant now as it was over two centuries ago!

Bio:

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

How Alex Comfort Discovered the “Joy of Sex” – Eric Laursen

How Alex Comfort Discovered the “Joy of Sex”

In 1972, Dr. Alex Comfort authored the international bestseller that revolutionized the ancient genre of the sex manual—the culmination of a quarter-century writing and advocating for greater sexual freedom. But his career encompassed much more, as a pioneering gerontologist and geriatrician, a poet, novelist, and critic, anarchist and pacifist, and one of Britain’s leading public intellectuals and controversialists of the postwar decades.How did it all fit together?Eric Laursen, author of the new biography Polymath, will explore the roots of Alex Comfort’s achievement, from social medicine and scientific positivism to the mystical poetry of William Blake and the speculations of the Renaissance alchemists to Vedic philosophy, quantum physics, and the “technology of the emotions.” All of these fields informed Comfort’s lifelong quest to fully understand the human. Along the way, we will trace the intersection of his anarchist politics and his radical new perspective on sexual identity and practice.

Bio:

Eric Laursen is a longtime activist, historian, and journalist, living in western Massachusetts. His previous books are The People’s Pension: The Struggle to Defend Asocial Security Since Reagan (2012), The Duty to Stand Aside: Nineteen Eighty-Four and the Wartime Quarrel of George Orwell and Alex Comfort (2018), and The Operating System: An Anarchist Theory of the Modern State (2021).

Curated & Hosted by

Marguerite Johnson is a cultural historian of the ancient Mediterranean, specialising in sexuality and gender, particularly in the poetry of Sappho, Catullus, and Ovid, as well as magical traditions in Greece, Rome, and the Near East. She also researches Classical Reception Studies, with a regular focus on Australia. In addition to ancient world studies, Marguerite is interested in sexual histories in modernity as well as magic in the west more broadly, especially the practices and art of Australian witch, Rosaleen Norton. She is Honorary Professor of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

Ithell Colquhoun Between the Sacred and the Profane – Dr Amy Hale

Ithell Colquhoun Between the Sacred and the Profane

When it came to pushing people’s buttons, Ithell Colquhoun leaned right into it. In both her visual art and her writing Colquhoun confronted her audiences with images that are explicit, beautifully erotic and also repulsive, promoting encounters with the divine through transgression and the abject. The potential for public engagement with her bold ideas was clearly something Colquhoun valued. On more than one occasion gallerists refused to hang a painting of hers that was considered to be too scandalous, and she would replace it with something just as juicy, as she was generally uncompromising about what she thought needed to be seen. Between 1939 and 1943 Colquhoun developed what appeared to have been a complex system of sex magic including images of queer desire and explicit diagrammatic depictions of sexual positions and women’s pleasure. Although until recently most of these images were never displayed there is no question that she intended for many of these quite radical pieces to have an audience. In her writings, Colquhoun depicted a variety of forbidden topics in a manner both horrific and coldly detached, including incest and a range of bodily functions and conditions. Her vignettes and prose poems referred to excreta, menstruation, skin conditions, scabs, open sores, and decay. While many of the more shocking pieces were never published for obvious reasons, the manuscript treatment of the drafts indicated her hopes that they would eventually be read.

This tantalizingly illustrated lecture will theorize Ithell Colquhoun’s tendency toward confrontation and taboo, the ways in which she challenged both her own boundaries and those of her imagined readers and viewers. With influences ranging from Tantra, to surrealism, the occult and Bataille, Colquhoun embraced transgression to drive her own enlightenment and also to shift and elevate perceptions of what can be seen and experienced as holy. In her words: “Life is not beautiful but it is rich: All must be accepted.”

Bio

Amy Hale is an Atlanta based writer and critic with a PhD in Folklore and Mythology from UCLA (1998). She has written widely on artist and occultist Ithell Colquhoun, and has been an academic advisor to the 2025 Colquhoun retrospective at Tate St. Ives and Tate Britain. She wrote the first scholarly biography of Colquhoun, Ithell Colquhoun: Genius of the Fern Loved Gully (Strange Attractor, 2020) followed by the collection Sex Magic: Diagrams of Love, (Tate Publishing, 2024), and the forthcoming A Walking Flame: Selected Magical Essays of Ithell Colquhoun (Strange Attractor 2025). She is also the editor of the groundbreaking collection Essays on Women in Western Esotericism: Beyond Seeresses and Sea Priestesses (Palgrave 2022). She has written extensively on magic and contemporary art, and has written for Tate, Burlington Contemporary, Art UK, The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Correspondences Journal and other institutions. She is an Honorary Research Fellow with Falmouth University in Cornwall, a trustee of the UK Charity Rediscovering Art by Women (RAW) and a member of the British Art Network. Beyond the Supernatural: Magic in Contemporary Art is due to be published with Tate Publishing in 2026.

Tearing The Veil – ghostly tales for Halloween with Giles Abbott – LIVE

Please note this is NOT a ZOOM Lecture but an in person lecture at our museum at the Sarcophagus Table

Doors open at 6:30pm and lecture starts at 7.00pm

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Doors open at 8:00pm and lecture starts at 8.30pm

Tearing The Veil – ghostly tales for Halloween – LIVE

Sit around the Sarcophagus Table, rest your fine drinks atop a skeleton and share the thrills of Gothic Horror! Dark and scary stories veined with the pulse of Romance and the Erotic combine in an evening of storytelling that will send shivers up your spine. We aim to please.

Giles Abbott has been telling stories since 1999 working nationally and internationally with folk stories, myths, legends, even one-man versions of Shakespeare plays as well as Iron-Age myths from Britain and Scandinavia, new works from historical/biographical sources and contemporary tales from right here, right now.

Giles is the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, also a busy Voice Teacher and Voice Artist. His storytelling is distinguished by his poetic flair for language and his rich speaking voice.

“The audience has succumbed to Abbott’s narrative charm from minute one.” review of “Macbeth”, Der Rheinische Post,

“Wit, wisdom and a voice like melted chocolate.” Honor Giles, Word Of Mouth Storytelling, Manchester

“A story so mesmerizing that it left me speechless. Giles Abbott from U.K received a standing ovation. His magical words kept the audience glued for more than an hour, and his stories will ring in my ears for many more years to come.” Divya, Khatakar International Storytelling Festival, Delhi, India

We are unable to give refunds for in person events with less than seven days notice in any circumstances

Storytelling Craic Up – a riot of Irish storytelling for St Patrick’s with Giles Abbott – LIVE

Please note this is NOT a ZOOM Lecture but an in person lecture at our museum at the Sarcophagus Table

Doors open at 6:30pm and lecture starts at 7.00pm

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Doors open at 8:00pm and lecture starts at 8.30pm

“Storytelling Craic Up – a riot of Irish storytelling for St Patrick’s!” – LIVE

How green is your heart? To celebrate Patrick and Ireland we serve a great l gleeful mix of stories from Ireland. Expect beautiful, mythic, epic and plain old Tom Foolery!

Giles Abbott has been telling stories since 1999 working nationally and internationally with folk stories, myths, legends, even one-man versions of Shakespeare plays as well as Iron-Age myths from Britain and Scandinavia, new works from historical/biographical sources and contemporary tales from right here, right now.

Giles is the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, also a busy Voice Teacher and Voice Artist. His storytelling is distinguished by his poetic flair for language and his rich speaking voice.

“The audience has succumbed to Abbott’s narrative charm from minute one.” review of “Macbeth”, Der Rheinische Post,

“Wit, wisdom and a voice like melted chocolate.” Honor Giles, Word Of Mouth Storytelling, Manchester

We are unable to give refunds for in person events with less than seven days notice in any circumstances

“Fatally Romantic” with Giles Abbott – LIVE

Please note this is NOT a ZOOM Lecture but an in person event at our museum

Doors open at 6:30pm and performance starts at 7.00pm

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Doors open at 8:00pm and performance starts at 8.30pm

“Fatally Romantic” – LIVE

Join us as we share heartwrenching tales of Fatal Romance. Love beyond the grave. Love IN the grave. Corpse brides, doomed grooms, and the jilted and vengeful so feature in tales filled with loss & longing.

Giles is the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, also a busy Voice Teacher and Voice Artist. His storytelling is distinguished by his poetic flair for language and his rich speaking voice.

“The audience has succumbed to Abbott’s narrative charm from minute one.” review of “Macbeth”, Der Rheinische Post,

“Wit, wisdom and a voice like melted chocolate.” Honor Giles, Word Of Mouth Storytelling, Manchester

Devil’s Botany is London’s first absinthe distillery, founded by Directors of The Last Tuesday Society’s Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar.

We are unable to give refunds for in person events with less than seven days notice in any circumstances

“Bah! Humbug!” An evening of AntiChristmas storytelling for those lacking in Christmas spirit with Giles Abbott – LIVE

Please note this is NOT a ZOOM Lecture but an in person event at our museum – tickets include a complimentary glass of Devil’s Botany Absinthe

Doors open at 6:30pm and performance starts at 7.00pm

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Doors open at 8:00pm and performance starts at 8.30pm

“Bah! Humbug!” An evening of AntiChristmas storytelling for those lacking in Christmas spirit with Giles Abbott – LIVE

We didn’t want to, but we find ourselves forced to reprise our unforgivably popular event – dark Christmas tales for those who’ve run out of Christmas spirit.

So, we promise loneliness, old age, financial ruin, murder and prostitution.

C’mon!!! It is Christmas.

Book early–against all our sourest wishes this event is very popular.

Giles is the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, also a busy Voice Teacher and Voice Artist. His storytelling is distinguished by his poetic flair for language and his rich speaking voice.

“The audience has succumbed to Abbott’s narrative charm from minute one.” review of “Macbeth”, Der Rheinische Post,

“Wit, wisdom and a voice like melted chocolate.” Honor Giles, Word Of Mouth Storytelling, Manchester

Devil’s Botany is London’s first absinthe distillery, founded by Directors of The Last Tuesday Society’s Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar.

We are unable to give refunds for in person events with less than seven days notice in any circumstances

Welcome to The Congo

Welcome To The Congo

6^th -16th June 2025 – 10 nights £2600 per person excluding flights

TRIP CONFIRMED – LAST PLACES AVAILABLE

Join Viktor Wynd on an expedition to The fabled Congo – travel deep into the world’s second largest rainforest in search of Forest Elephants, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Hippos, Crocodiles and much more, spend time with The Sapeurs in Brazzaville

The Republic of the Congo – or Congo Brazzaville (not to be confused with it’s neighbour The DRC) is a vast country the size of Germany but with a population of just six million, blessed with great oil wealth the majority of it’s population of just six million live in just two cities – Pointe Noire & Brazzaville. This will be the first time Viktor Wynd has taken a group to one of his favourite countries

Itinerary

6^th June – fly into Brazzaville, spend night at hotel

7^{th -9th} June – – Transfer to the 440km2 Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve for two nights to support the ecotourism initiative of the The Aspinall Foundation who, since 1999 have reintroduced over 60 gorillas – including ones born in UK Zoos. We will find learn about the project and spend time observing gorillas being prepared for release in semi captivity on large islands in the river, take boat rides along the Louna River to look for hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife, visit the fabled blue lake and climb Mt. Ngaki for spectacular views

9^th June return to Brazzaville and Take the Jungle Express Night train to Pointe Noire. If the schedule doesn’t allow we will fly to Pointe Noire

10^th – 14^th June Transfer by 4×4 to the vast 7,900km2 Conkouati-Douli National Park, despite being home to large populations of forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, buffalo, leopards. Mandrills and much more it receives less than 300 tourists a year. We will stay at HELP Congo’s scientific research camp with the primatologists who have successfully returned over 100 Chimpanzees to the wild, we will be introduced to chimpanzees being prepared for release on huge islands in the mangroves, and then enjoy many activities such as guided nature walks & boat rides including

boat tour and Kayak: we leave in the morning by boat to the totally protected area of the park. After crossing the lagoon we navigate on the forest where we can spot many birds and sometimes other species like cercopithecus monkeys, mangabeys, wild chimpanzees or elephants. Arrived at our research camp, people can choose to hop on a kayak and follow a member on our team for a nice cruise down on the river but this time enjoying the full sound of nature and be more discreet to spot wildlife. After 45min of kayak the boat picks us up and we go back to the camp for lunch time.

Lagoon mouth: The boat takes us where the lagoon meets the ocean. We can walk on the beach, swim in the lagoon, rest on the sand. It is possible to have a picnic lunch there.

– We will drive and trek through the Savanna – looking out for elephants, gorillas, & buffalos to Mvanji a fishing village on the coast and enjoy local food prepared especially for us on the beach swim in the lagoon

– Hike to The Sacred Lake : According to local belief, the lake is inhabited by Mami Wata, a mysterious and mystical creature who must not be disturbed for fear of attracting torment. The lake is therefore left in complete tranquillity.

After being dropped off by boat at Nzambi, we walk through bush and forest to reach this magical landscape where we have a pre-packed lunch.
The return journey takes a slightly different route and we return from Nzambi by boat.

14^th June return to Pointe Noire and visit the museum and artisanal market

15^th June fly to Brazzaville for a city tour, visit of the rapids and an evening hopefully with the Sapeurs – the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes

16^th June leave for home

Wildlife in Central Africa

Please note that wildlife in Central Africa can be hard to see and can be very good at hiding. We hope to see as much of it as is possible but nothing is guaranteed – wish us luck!

Optional Extension – there will be an optional 4 – 5 day extension – more details closer to the time

Price £2650 excluding flights

Inclusive of all meals save dinners in Pointe Noire & Brazzaville
Flights from the UK are currently available from £600 or so
Internal flights are approx. £100 return

Paganism Persisting – Robin Douglas – Zoom

The Return of the Ancient World
For 250 years, individuals and groups of people in Britain have sought to reanimate the philosophy, symbols and myths of the pre-Christian past so as to revive ancient paganism in modern times. In this talk, historian Robin Douglas lays out the strange and under-appreciated history of British pagan revivals, from poets and aristocrats to Aleister Crowley and suburban witches.

Robin Douglas is a writer and researcher based in London. His academic background is in history (PhD Cambridge) and he specialises in the history of pagan and esoteric religious movements. His most recent book is Paganism Persisting: A History of European Paganisms since Antiquity (Exeter University Press).