THE LATEST talk in Redditch History Society’s annual programme takes place this Monday, March 9, and focuses on the Gunpowder Plot.
Guest speaker Philip Bowen is an historian with an interesting and varied background – he has worked for the Ministry of Overseas Development, setting up schools in North West Zambia and was deputy headmaster at Bromsgrove School for 26 years.
Philip is also a keen ornithologist, and has published widely on the birds of Africa. He is a reader in the Church of England.
At this meeting, Philip will take a fresh look at The Gunpowder Plot which he considers to be ‘the most audacious terrorist plot in our history, very much planned and located in our region’.
He will introduce attendees to various plotters and examine their motives, disentangle myths about Guy Fawkes and discuss of the child who would have become Queen Elizabeth II, identifying a fatal weak link.
And he will reveal and marvel at an unrivalled spy system, lament dire consequences for loyal Catholics which lasted centuries and allegedly discover surprising connections with Macbeth, world-famous islands and a gorilla.
This presentation promises to be a lively combination of local history and fascinating details of an historic, nation-defining event with an enduring legacy.
The society meets from 2pm to 4pm on the second Monday of every month at Oasis Christian Centre on Plymouth Road.
Non-members are always welcome for a £4 admission fee and refreshments are available after the talk for just 50p per person.
Further details of the 2026 season can be found at: redditchhistorysociety.org.uk or on the leaflet available from Redditch Library and The Palace Theatre.
