Mayor Mervyn Hall, in conjunction with Marlborough History Society, has organised a lecture to explore World War I from the German perspective. The lecture to be held in the Town Hall on Friday March 16 (7pm for 7.30pm) is being given by local historian and retired teacher, Michael Hart. Entry is free but there will be a charity collection for Julia’s House and for Home Start during the event.
Mayor Mervyn told marlborough.news, “We are in for an interesting evening. Michael Hart brings a unique perspective to this topic. His mother was German, his father British and he grew up in Berlin, going to school there from 1939 to 1943. Michael has written the lecture especially for the centenary of the armistice.”
“Michael Hart also runs several popular courses at Marlborough Summer School each year as well as U3A classes in Marlborough on German and current affairs.”
It has long been a tradition for Marlborough’s Mayor to choose to support charities during their year in office. “I particularly wanted to support charities that would help children and that were local, so Julia’s House and Home Start were ideal. I also wanted to involve the army and both charities do a lot of work with the army,” Mayor Mervyn.
Marlborough has a close link with 4MI Battalion who are based at Bulford and who have been given the Freedom of the Town. They are organising a fundraising day for the Mayor’s charities in the Town Hall on April 18 and have already raised £300 – the proceeds of a charity football match.
Mayor Mervyn is a keen member and secretary of Marlborough History Society where he has been a member since settling in the town in 2003. “I have always been interested in history. Marlborough has such a rich history, going back to the Stone Age.”
Marlborough’s History Society has organised a WWI lecture every November during the centenary period (2014-2018) of the war. David Du Croz will be giving this year’s Great War lecture.
“The Awkward Place of WWI in German History” by Michael Hart on March 16 will be followed by an informal question and answer session. The bar opens at 7pm and Tesco have donated Freetrade wine. All donations are welcome.