Hull Literary & Philosophical Society

18/02/2026

24th Feb - My Journey through India: Mark Probert
Join traveller and author Mark Probert as he recounts a remarkable five-week backpacking journey across India — undertaken with a friend, both recently retired. From Mumbai to Varanasi, the high passes of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan, this lively and often surprising adventure became the basis of his popular book ‘Journey through India’.

Find more about Mark at www.mgprobert.com

This is our final talk of the 2025/26 season

Venue The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7.30
Admission FREE with subscription of £5 min donation on the door

11/02/2026

17th Feb
Doris Day – Everybody’s Favourite Hollywood Singer and Actress
David Sibbald

As a former radio presenter and Head teacher, David Sibbald’s talks are an audiovisual treat. He gives his unique commentary on each chosen topic.

His presentation on Doris Day – everybody’s favourite Hollywood singer and actress – looks at Doris’s early dance band days, through many of her films and songs to her long retirement in California, where she had many special friends – including dogs!

The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7.30
Admission FREE with annual subscription or £5 min donation on the door.

04/02/2026

10th Feb - Writing Murder: My Journey with the Queens of Crime
Anna Beer

Why do we enjoy murder mysteries so much – and why do so many women write them so well? Journeying from the past, from Victorian bestseller Mary Elizabeth Braddon through the Golden Age greats and into the present day, Anna Beer will offer some intriguing answers and share the insights gained from her own foray into the genre.

Follow Anna on Instagram

Venue: The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7pm
Admission Free with subscription or min £5 donation on the door
(students 50%)

28/01/2026

3rd Feb; Are we alone? by Peter Borthwick

Peter has had a lifelong interest in aliens and firmly believes they played a big part in our civilisation’s development. His fascinating talk comes with incredible evidence in a slide show of photographs proving once and for all that we are not alone.

The author of three books on the subject, Peter’s latest book is called ‘Just A Thought’.

Venue The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7.30
Admission: FREE with subscription or £5 min donation on the door
Students 50%

Find more about Peter at www.peterspeaker.com

25/01/2026

Tuesday 27th January

This is the road to Hull!
John Godber

Join us for a special evening with the creator of Bouncers, Brookside, Grange Hill and the former director of Hull Truck

Venue
The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7pm
Admission; Free with subscription or £5 min donation (students 50%)

21/01/2026

27th January
This is the road to Hull! - John Godber
John Godber provides this intriguing taster for his talk:

“In 1973 Godber slashed his eye open in the All England RUFC sevens final held in Hull. In 1975 he performed as a Drag Queen at the Gulbenkian theatre. In 1977 Bouncers was premiered at Edinburgh to two people. In 1978 his version of A Clockwork Orange opened The Man in the Moon theatre in Chelsea.

In 1980 he was thrown out of Romeo and Juliet’s for wearing Hush puppies. In 1981 he met Anthony Minghella, Mike Bradwell, James Fenton and a girl from Skipton.

In 1983 he sat waiting for Danny Boyle to come out of an interview at Humberside Theatre. In the same year he met Sir Phil Redmond, wrote Grange Hill, Brookside and worked on his PhD. In 1984 he left teaching and his mining background to run Hull Truck, oh and he married the girl from Skipton”.

Venue - The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45
Talk 7pm
Admission; free with subscription or £5min donation on the door

14/01/2026

20th January 2026
All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men (and Women)
Keith Baldwin

Since Charles II landed at Dover at about noon on 25th May 1660 – a scene witnessed by Samuel Pepys – the two Regiments, The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals which together became known as ‘The Household Cavalry’ have played a unique role as the official bodyguard to The Monarch.

With some 230 black horses and 14 greys – not forgetting the 4 drum horses – the Household Cavalry not only provide a Sovereign’s Es**rt on all State Occasions but have become a major tourist attraction.

In his presentation ‘All the Kings’ Horses and All the Kings’ Men (and Women)’ Keith will use his unique style to answer many of the questions about The Household Cavalry.

The Guildhall Hull
Doors 6.45 Talk 7.30 - 8.30pm
Admission - Free with annual subscription or £5min donation on the door (Students 50%)

08/01/2026

What do Doris Day, Aliens, John Godber and the Household Cavalry all have in common?

Join us on Tuesday evenings at hull The Guildhall Hull and all will be revealed....

Doors 6.45pm
Talks 7.30pm

Charles Hanson is one of the UK’s most recognisable auctioneers and antiques experts, best known for his charismatic appearances on BBC shows such as Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip. A trusted face in the auction world, Charles brings energy, humour and deep historical insight to eve...

04/01/2026

Happy New Year to all our members, guests and speakers.
Talks resume on 13th January when we welcome back Nigel Rees to The Guildhall Hull to tell us about his 'radio times'.

08/12/2025

Here at Hull Lit & Phil, we are taking a break for Christmas but we'll be back in January to complete the 2025/26 season with another 7 Tuesday evening talks on a wide variety of subjects including Doris Day, Aliens and Murder Mystery!
In the meantime we would like to wish all members, guests and visiting speakers a Very Happy Christmas 🎄🎅

26/11/2025

The Lit & Phil are taking a break until the New Year and would like to wish all who have joined us so far, a very Happy Christmas.
It has been really nice to welcome so many new guests this season alongside our existing members.
Thanks to all our visiting speakers and our sincere appreciation to all at The Guildhall Hull for their invaluable help and support.

19/11/2025

25th November 2025

From the Pillory to the Prison Cell
Ginny Davis

Ginny Davis is a former practising barrister who has spent a lifetime in the law. Her talk charts the history of how criminals have been punished in England and Wales from the sixteenth century to the present day.

Venue The Guildhall Hull
Doors 7.00pm
Talk 7.30pm
Admission Free with annual subscription or £5 minimum donation
Students (50%)