Edgar Royston Pike, formerly Chairman of the Esher Council, introduced the ‘Esher Library Lectures’ in the late 1960s.
In 1974, Elmbridge Borough Council changed the title of these lectures to the ‘Royston Pike Lectures’ in appreciation of his 20 years’ work on the Library Committee.
All lectures are held at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF at 7.30pm on the following evenings. Tickets are £4 per person.
Spring 2026 Programme
Wednesday 11 March 2026 - Strong Roots by Olia Hercules
Join Olia Hercules as she shares 'Strong Roots', a powerful family memoir tracing 100 years of Ukrainian history through four generations. From Stalin-era exile to the 2022 invasion, Olia weaves stories of resilience, belonging and heritage, enriched with family recipes and reflections on home.
Olia is the award-winning author of four cookbooks, including 'Mamushka' and 'Home Food'. In response to the war in Ukraine, she co-founded the global #CookForUkraine campaign which has raised over £2 million in aid.
Book tickets for 'Strong Roots'
Wednesday 8 April 2026 - Liberté: the life of WWII heroine Noor Inayat Khan by Shrabani Basu
This compelling talks tells the story of Noor Inayat Khan, the first female radio operator sent into occupied France in 1943. Working under the code name 'Madeleine', she kept vital communications open for the Allies despite extreme danger. Betrayed and executed at Dachau in 1944, she was later awarded the George Cross and the Croix de Guerre for her bravery. Drawing on interviews and secret service records, Shrabani Basu traces Noor’s journey from her early life in Paris to her remarkable wartime service.
Wednesday 13 May - Leith Hill Place: an inspirational home from home by Catherine McCusker
A journey through the rich history of Leith Hill Place, childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and a retreat long linked to the Wedgwood family and naturalist Charles Darwin. Discover how this remarkable estate became a creative hub, inspiring music, poetry and art and how the National Trust is revitalising it as a space for reflection and creativity in the Surrey Hills.
Catherine McCusker, Visitor Operations and Experiences Manager for Surrey Hills East, brings her diverse background in learning, events and community engagement to the stewardship of Leith Hill Place and Leith Hill Tower. Passionate about nature as a source of wellbeing, she also serves as a Trustee of the Surrey Hills Society, championing collaboration for landscape conservation.
Book tickets for Leith Hill Place
Wednesday 17 June - Queer heritage trailblazers: stories of ordinary LGBTQ+ people doing extraordinary things by Sue Shave
Explore 200 years of LGBTQ+ history through the stories of remarkable but often overlooked trailblazers from Surrey and across the UK. From Roberta Cowell, the first legally recognised trans woman, to Janet Gulland, a pioneering aviation engineer, and national figures such as Ann Lister, Sophia Jex‑Blake, Patrick Trevor‑Roper and Mark Ashton, this talk shines a light on the individuals who helped shape British and global history.
Sue Shave, a queer heritage consultant and former museum director, has worked with Queer Britain, Queer Heritage South and the Brooklands Stories Uncovered project. She is currently Interim CEO of the Manchester Jewish Museum.
Book for tickets for Queer heritage trailblazers
Bookselling partner: Cobham Bookshop
For future information, please email arts@elmbridge.gov.uk.