… and it gets better. Dr Leary has just posted a new version of the list, with many lectures that I have just unearthed, especially on history and the sciences, but also on anything you like, politics, sociology, or whatever. People usually wait till a fortnight before they go, look up the lectures for their dates, and note a lecture or two. RJ007 implies a good point, that members of audiences talk to each other if they so choose, and visitors gain access to British and other ideas. This is true of lectures for the general educated public, and more so of those many academic lectures that are followed by a glass of wine, where London academics are charmed that an outsider has traced their event, and has enough interest to come along.

So, welcome to London.

[email protected]

Dear Ben,

What an eclectic and amazing set of lectures.

Thank you.

((I))

Perhaps it would be interesting to know that Mr Haines was interviewed about London lectures by BBC Radio 4 "You and Yours" Programme today around noon.

With Real Player, one could hear the rerun at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/.

Thank you, JudyC!

Thanks a lot JudyC. I often listen to Radio 4 on-line but missed this one. I had never noticed the "listen Again" feature. Haven't yet heard Ben's bit but am listening to the whole You and Yours and it supposed to come after the 0870 phone numbers and high speed rail discussions.

Well, Ben's bit came before the rail discussion (the programme "tease" was wrong")

Our Ben is famous!

I am afraid I have not the software to get Listen Again. Please could anyone tell me how I sounded ?

Ben Haines

You sounded very intelligent and knowledgeable, Mr. Haines.

You should be able to download RealPlayer for free from the link below. I hope it works so that you can hear how well-spoken you are!

http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk

I concur in Sojourner's assessment. You had a clear thesis - the theatricality of the experience afforded the lecturegoer - and you elaborated on it ably. You spoke a bit more quickly than the Ben Haines of my imagination, but I expect that was only because you knew what a limited amount of time was available to you.

Golly, how reliable people on this forum are. Many thanks to you both.

I expected I sounded hurried because even at my advanced age I felt a bit nervous. The interviewer let slip that I came over better (and slower) when we were just having the preliminary chat, me on my second slice of toast. Ethics forbid, but they would get a better result if they recorded me unbeknown, then asked me later for permission to use it.

Now I shall see whether I can get into Real Player.

Ben Haines

I just have to say that having heard the radio interview with the (as expected) extremely articulate and well-spoken Ben Haines, I almost choked on my own second slice of toast at his use of the word "Golly".

Trying to picture it coming out in that wonderful accent. Thank you for my smile of the day.