15
October 2025

The Unknown Churchill - Winston Churchill and Blenheim Palace

The Arts Society Burghley
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 10:45
The Ballroom, Stamford Arts Centre
27 St. Mary's Street Stamford PE9 2DL
Online Event

It is now over 150 years ago since Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was unexpectedly born at Blenheim Palace.  This lecture draws upon the private resources of Blenheim and adds new and refreshing insights into this remarkable man. We examine the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the "Greatest Briton": soldier, politician, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man - and bricklayer!   

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mrs Antonia Keaney

Antonia joined Blenheim Palace in 2008 as a member of the Education Team, later becoming the Palace’s Social Historian and Researcher. Both roles have involved her curating or co-curating a number of Palace exhibitions including A Passion for Fashion – 300 Years of Blenheim Style upon which her recent book is based.  

Antonia’s latest project has been to produce a series of podcasts - Behind the Scenes at Blenheim Palace - available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18RwCp7lJVGaweiLYbG8m8

An experienced public speaker, both virtually and in person, Antonia has delivered a ‘Conversation’ at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, been ‘In Conversation’ with fashion editor Caroline Issa, designer Stephen Jones and TV and radio presenter, Sue Perkins, and has participated in both the Oxford Literary Festival where she presented her children’s book and more recently at Cheltenham where she chaired a discussion between authors Emma Soames and Rachel Trethewey on their respective Churchill related books.
 
Antonia has been a guest on Radio 4’s Saturday Live with the Reverend Richard Coles and has made various TV appearances including Channel 5’s sThe Cotswolds with Pam Ayres
 
In her spare time, Antonia enjoys the company of her family and her dogs – particularly Percy, a wire-haired Dachshund, who inspired her to write and illustrate her first children’s book – Percy at the Palace - A Dog’s Eye View of Blenheim