Our Beautiful Universe - In Conversation with Jo Durrant

We are delighted to announce that Jo Durrant will be back at The Museum in the Park, following her successful series last year. She looks forward to presenting a new series of ‘In Conversations’ with special guests, with diverse topics spanning history, photography, Shakespeare and more. These events will inspire and inform, spark curiosity, and invite us to look at the past and present world with fresh eyes.

Jo Durrant is the award-winning presenter of the independent arts and science podcast ‘Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe’. She’s a highly respected and accomplished interviewer and event chair, and a familiar face at literature, history, and science festivals. Jo is freelance but for over 20 years was a presenter, producer & reporter with BBC radio and interviewed hundreds of people, from Melanie C to Tim Peake.

Each conversation will be followed by a chance to ask questions and chat if you wish. Several guests will bring new books which you can buy and have signed.

Tickets cost £7 or £5 for Museum in the Park Members - Membership is free to join.

Bookings now open for the first three events of the series. See below, or click here to book.

3pm, Saturday 29 March: ‘From Railways to Royalty’ with Jack Boskett, Photographer

How do you tell a story through a photograph? Award-winning professional photographer Jack Boskett started his Tewkesbury based business at the age of just 19 and his passion for photography coincided with his love of railways. His work has brought him much acclaim and recognition in railway publications and his skill has led him to photograph stars of stage and screen, prime ministers and especially members of the Royal Family. In fact, Jack took the only known photograph of a senior member of the Royal Family leaning out of a moving train!

Join Jack in conversation with Jo Durrant as he talks about his passion for photography, the different areas he’s worked in, what it’s like to capture Royalty and Railways and much more. 

2.30pm, Wednesday 23 April: ‘Shakespeare’s Borrowed Feathers’ with Dr Darren Freebury-Jones

“He was not for age, but for all time” is what Ben Jonson famously said of William Shakespeare. But how did Shakespeare’s contemporaries, such as Jonson, Christopher Marlowe and John Fletcher influence him?

In his book ‘Shakespeare’s Borrowed Feathers’ author and lecturer Dr Darren Freebury-Jones uses the latest techniques in textual analysis to provide a fresh look at the community of playwrights that shaped Shakespeare’s work.

On the Bard’s birthday, join Darren in conversation with Jo Durrant as he talks about his passion for early modern drama and why over 400 years on from his death, there are still new stories to uncover about the person many consider to be the greatest playwright of all time.

7.30pm, Thursday 22 May: ‘Glorious Gloucestershire’ with Mark Cummings

How did Gladys’ Leap in Cranham get its name? What was the real Rosie from ‘Cider With Rosie’ like? And why did George Holloway have a huge impact on Stroud? Find out with travel writer, broadcaster, and author of ‘Glorious Gloucestershire’, Mark Cummings. His book takes you on a journey around the county, exploring literary links, world-changing innovations, quirky place names and much more. Mark will talk about the book, his love of Gloucestershire and will have plenty of Stroud stories for you too. Museum and Garden open 7pm - 9pm so you can enjoy exploring before or after the event.

Save the dates - bookings open soon:

2.30pm, Saturday 21 June: ‘The Waiting Game’ with Dr Nicola Clark

2.30pm, Saturday 5 July: ‘History Lessons’ with Shalina Patel

2.30pm, Saturday 2 August: ‘Young Elizabeth’ with Dr Nicola Tallis

2.30pm, Friday 29 August: ‘Maths & Meteorology: How Do You Forecast The Weather?’ with Dee Atkins-Greig 

Please watch this space for updates!

This event series takes place in the Museum’s Walled Garden Pavilion, a glass-fronted space set within the gorgeous ‘secret garden’ borders hidden away at the heart of Stratford Park. Access is via Museum Reception, then via a sloping pathway or steps up into the garden.