This lecture will tell the story of all eight of London's royal parks, from the Norman conquest to the present day.
London's royal parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces - some were royally owned as far back as the Norman conquest, others acquired by Henry VIII during the Reformation. This lecture tells the story of all eight of the parks to the present day, including the major historic moments and events with which they are associated.
How to book this event:
Free for members, visitors are welcome. Visitors' tickets (£10) are available on the door or through Campus West's online booking system. https://www.campuswest.co.uk/
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER
Mr Paul Rabbitts
Paul Rabbitts graduated at Sheffield with a BA Honours in Geography followed by a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh. He is a qualified landscape architect and celebrated parks and open spaces manager and has worked for several local authorities across the UK, including Carlisle, Middlesbrough, Watford, Southend-on-Sea and now at the City of Norwich. He is a passionate advocate for public parks and in particular, the Victorian and Edwardian bandstand and is a prolific author on the subject. His first of now 34 books was published in 2011 on the iconic bandstand and was followed rapidly by books on the Royal Parks, Great British Parks and ‘Parkitecture’, Grinling Gibbons and Sir Christopher Wren. He has also completed the first full biography of Decimus Burton, Gentleman Architect, which was published in late 2021. His latest book is called People's Parks - The Design and Development of Public Parks in Britain - out in late 2023. Now a UK leading expert on bandstands he has been asked to assist in localised restoration projects nationwide and has been a regular and popular speaker on bandstands and public parks for many years.
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