Glyn Davies

A polymath is ‘a person of great and varied learning’ and this certainly described the Reverend John Michell ( 25 Dec 1742 – 12 April 1793). Michell was a natural philosopher and a clergyman and seems to be almost unknown although he was: The first person to suggest that earthquakes are caused by movement of … Read more

Muons are like the big brother of electrons but they are heavier and much more penetrating.  About 1000 pass through the room every second. They are generated when cosmic rays interact with atoms in the upper atmosphere to form secondary rays called muons. We all know that X-rays are used to look at body parts … Read more

David is a historian and a volunteer at Manor Lodge. He began his talk about areas in the southwest of Sheffield, starting with Ecclesall. The name derives from “Hecksel” which meant “witches’ hill/slope”. Other names in the area, such as “Endcliffe” and “Dobbin Hill” follow a similar theme. Endcliffe is derived from “elf cliff” and … Read more

Chris said that he would cover the period from 1066 to 1820. Around 1066 there was a phrase ‘Raising the hue and cry’. If a body was found the local sheriff or coroner was informed by a yodel from tree to tree in the area – the person who found the body was legally responsible to … Read more

Dave told us that a landslide occurs when a slope collapses.  He showed us a picture of a huge landslide in New Zealand which left two cows and a calf marooned on an untouched meadow that was surrounded by landslide debris.  Sometimes there is no obvious reason that one section of a slope collapses but … Read more

Andy Foster is the Fraud PROTECT Officer working in the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of South Yorkshire Police. His dual role is to support vulnerable victims of fraud and to work with other support groups. He also does road shows and other events to bring fraudulent scams to public notice. ‘Operation Signature’ is the S.Y. … Read more