Forthcoming events
Captain Ian Gibb talks through his career, reaching Commodore of the P&O Cruise fleet.
A Society Cruise on the Maxim Gorkiy.
A step back in time aboard the Disney Wonder, but is she wonderful?
Alan Moorhouse takes us on a photographic mystery tour.
Clive Harvey launches his new Queen Elizabeth book
Nigel Lingard, Marketing Director of Fred Olsen Cruises, talks about the state of the cruise industry, prospects and developments at Fred Olsen.
Bill Mayes presents a round up of 2008 cruising.
Members contribute some of their favourite images from around the world of passenger shipping.
The third Tuesday of every Month, 7pm, the Ocean Liner Society Hosts a talk. This seasons programme is shown below. For information on how to get to the talks see here
From Cadet to Commodore - Tuesday 16th September - By Captain Ian Gibb
Ian Gibb will be known to a generation of P&O passengers and crew members as long-time Master of Canberra and of the new Oriana from her maiden voyage in 1995. In this talk he will look back on his career, culminating in his appointment as Commodore of the P&O cruise fleet.
Disney Wonderful? - Tuesday 21 October
Matt has proven to be not only a highly entertaining but also a very useful speaker. His hilarious accounts of encounters with absurdly inappropriately designed cabins, anti-socially behaving Scandinavian seniors and Norwegian gin palaces have served not only to send a happy crowd out into the Farringdon night chuckling but also to save them the cost of finding out for themselves the horrors awaiting the unsuspecting traveller. Might this be another such timely warning, or might Matt finally have experienced something truly Wonderful?
Voyagers Across The Sea - Tuesday 18th November - by Alan Moorhouse
An informal through the lens whistle stop tour, showing contemporary passenger ships and ferries, in port, under way, under construction, under bridges, and on bridges. This photographic pot-pourri of ocean-going giants, each with its own individual character and history, represents a modern maritime magical mystery tour.
Queen Elizabeth: A talk by Clive Harvey to launch his new book Saturday 6th December, 16.00 for 16.30hrs
At the cusp of the careers of the outgoing second and incoming third Cunard Queens to bear the name Queen Elizabeth it is surely time to re-visit the original. Over-shadowed in contemporary popularity and posthumous publications by her running mate Queen Mary, the first Queen Elizabeth was the more modern of the pair with interiors styled by one of Britain’s leading architects and was the largest passenger liner in the world for her entire career. Clive’s new book covers comprehensively the life and times of this great and sometimes forgotten liner. In this special book launching event he gives the talk of the book and there will be opportunity afterwards for a drink and a chat while the author signs copies. No pre-booking required.
The Nigel Lingard Annual Talk! - Tuesday 16th December
Nigel has established himself as the speaker not to miss. Over the past 6 years his annual review of the UK cruise industry and of the year in the life of Fred.Olsen Cruises has usually ended with a cliff-hanger, as well as being amusing, invaluably informative and fascinating. At the end of 2007 he surveyed the huge influx of new berths onto the UK market. What now for the cruise industry, post credit-crunch?
The Chairman’s View From the Bridge - Bill Mayes - Tuesday 20th January, 7.00pm
Bill Mayes, our very well-travelled Chairman, will present a round-up of his year’s cruising and ferrying showing slides of the many ships, new and old, that he encountered during 2008. Baltic ferries, Black Prince, Costa Europa, Maxim Gorkiy, Saga Ruby a very roundabout route across England by ship are promised
Members’ Miscellany - Tuesday 17th February, 7.00pm
Our Members’ Evenings provide a hugely enjoyable look at some beautiful images from the world of passenger shipping. The magazine format and unpredictable content have produced surprises and absolute gems in recent years. Members are invited to bring along some slides or electronic images - anything goes! Just let David Trevor-Jones know by Sunday 15th February if you want to take part or take a chance and bring slides or a disc or stick on the night. Or just come along and enjoy - we’ll try to add some spice this year with a quiz along the way.
Tel: David Trevor-Jones 020 7922 8861/ e-mail: <david.trevorjones@btopenworld.com>/ write: 47 The Street, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 7BX
The Talks are FREE. However we have a collection to cover the costs of maintaining equipment, paying caretakers etc. This ensures that the lectures are self financing and do not draw on the Society's general funds.
After the meeting regulars adjourn to "The Jerusalem Tavern" in Britton Street, about 100 metres north of the venue. Take a later train home and join us!
77 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London
Map
Public Transport options
Farringdon station with Thameslink, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City lines is approximately 100m from the venue. Exit from the station, turn left into Cowcross Street. The street numbers are not obvious. Look instead for a Pizza Express on your left then Starbucks Coffee Shop. Just opposite Starbucks is No 77 (a cream building with green window frames and a gated courtyard). Go through the gate to the Courtyard, pass the bike racks and walk to the back wall. Turn right down a half flight of steps and go through French Doors to find us in the Gallery.
For up to the minute help to plan your journey to Farrindgon on public transport use the Transport for London Journey Planner which shows routes, fares and how to plan around any possible dirsuption. Click here for a Farringdon Bus Map
By Car
Parking is easy on meter bays and free after 18.30. The Central London Congestion Charging system started in February 2003, the charging period ends at 18.00.
Why not meet regulars for a Pizza (at Pizza Express) or a Thai Meal (above the pub just to the west of No 77) about 6 o'clock. Click here for travel info. To see something about talks you might have missed, click here.