The Oundle Lecture Series
The annual Oundle Lectures are given by Old Oundelians who are distinguished
in their particular field. Sanderson Fellow Dr Richard McKim continues the
trend of linking each lecture with an academic department, and also tries
to alternate the theme of the lectures between the sciences and the arts.
This past
year's tenth annual lecture, entitled "Aviation in a Low Carbon Environment",
was given by Colin Matthews (G 1973), Chief Executive Officer of the British
Airports Authority.
Professor Richard Dawkins (Ldr, 1959) delivered the first Oundle Lecture in
2002. He chose "Evolution: the New Classics" as his title, including
in his text a eulogy of F.W. Sanderson which appeared a week later as a two-page
article in The
Guardian. He was followed in 2003 by the author, poet and noted poker-player
Al Alvarez (C, 1948), who gave an insight into the challenges faced by a professional
writer in his lecture, "My Dreadful Trade". In 2004, Sir Alan Budd
(C, 1955), asked the question in his title "What do Economists know?"
The choice of Sir Alan, along with that of Al Alvarez, drew the comment that
there could not be many schools who could invite two of the UK’s leading
experts on gambling to come back to their old school for such an occasion
in successive years.
In 2007 Sir John Lilleyman delivered a moving talk about his career in medicine
and in particular about the fight against childhood leukaemia. 2008 saw the
return to Oundle of royal biographer (and yet another poker-player) Anthony
Holden, whose chosen theme was "Life-writing", or the Art of Biography.
He was followed in 2009 by wildlife photographer Andew Anderson, who showed
his marvellous wildlife films in a lecture entitled "Lurking in the Undergrowth".
The 2010
lecture was delivered by Anthony d’Offay (Ldr 1957), on the theme
of the 50 Artist Rooms he presented to the nation
Each Oundle Lecture, given in the Stahl Theatre, is followed by dinner for
a limited number of guests in the Two Acre club. This is a charity event,
intended to raise funds for a good cause chosen by the speaker. The chosen
charities supported so far have been the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Roundhouse
Trust, and the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. The 2005
lecture supported artists and scientists who were victims of the South East
Asia Tsunami. Each year in excess of £1000 is raised for the chosen
charity. In 2011 the recipient was Parkinsons UK.
For further details about the Oundle Lectures, please contact Dr Richard McKim
on 01832 277189, or by email.