Hampton Court Palace in Surrey is located next to the river Thames and from 1236 the site was used by knights, courtiers, cardinals and kings. Less famous is the hidden community of the palace who following George II’s decision in the mid 18th Century to break with the tradition begun by Henry VIII not to live there, moved into a series of apartments granted to those who found favour after services rendered to crown or country. Sarah Parker will share the stories of the eclectic mix of palace residents including Michael Faraday, the chemist and physicist who discovered electromagnetic induction and the militant Indian suffragette Princess Sophia, daughter of Maharajah Duleep Singh.

Sarah Parker is currently the Director of the Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley. Prior to this she worked for Historic Royal Palaces in London for just over 10 years. For much of this time she was a Curator based at Hampton Court Palace and curated ‘Suffragettes, Soldiers & Servants: Behind the Scenes of the Hampton Court Palace Community’, an exhibition located in a former Grace & Favour apartment and subject of a BBC documentary.

Sarah Parker said: Hampton Court Palace has been home to an extraordinary community who lived in grace and favour apartments and lived lives dramatic enough to rival their royal predecessors. Eastenders has nothing on these South-Westenders.

Organised by The Edward Jenner Museum, the Old Cyder House talks are increasing in popularity, so reserve your tickets now! The Berkeley talk will cost £8 per person including a glass of wine.

More information can be found on the museum website below, where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum.
Bookings for all the talks can be made in advance by calling 01453 810631 or emailing below.

The admission charge will usually include a glass of wine and all profits will go to the charitable trust running The Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley.

Sarah Parker, Museum Director said: "The Old Cyder House Talks are a new venture for us in a year where we have introduced events for the first time. We are delighted to have some very notable speakers and we are grateful that they are willing to support our Museum. Hopefully there will be something for everyone to be interested in!"
www.jennermuseum.com
Email: