Distinctive series of historical talk events at Scarborough's Big Ideas Festival
A wide-ranging selection of talk-based events on the past is among the eclectic mix which comprises this year’s varied Big Ideas programme in May.
Staged at The Grand Hotel in Scarborough, ‘Peopling the Past: What Can We Learn from The Dead?’ is a bespoke one-day archaeology symposium which features three internationally eminent figures discussing their professional work in the highly specialised field of human remains.
Egyptologist and Patron of the Big Ideas festival, Professor Joann Fletcher, bioarchaeologist Emerita Professor Charlotte Roberts of Durham University and archaeological chemist Dr Stephen Buckley will present their respective lectures on the subject.
Festival co-director John Oxley said: “Topics include the ethics of excavating, studying and storing human remains, the study of human remains from Ancient Egypt and what detailed scientific analysis they can tell us about the people themselves.
“Archaeologist and Green Howards Museum director Marie Woods will also lead a conversation and Q&A session with all three speakers to end
the day”, he added.
With two talks scheduled before lunch and two afterwards, the event is on Saturday May 16, between 10.15am and 3.30pm in the hotel’s Cabaret
Ballroom.
Similarly at The Grand Hotel, Scarborough-based author and historian Stewart MacDonald will give an in-situ presentation about the history of the hotel itself on Thursday May 21, at 7.30pm.
Mr MacDonald’s talk titled The Grand Hotel - Scarborough’s Victorian Masterwork, will reveal an overview of the French Second Empire-influenced building designed by architect Cuthbert Broderick in the hotel’s opulent Palm Court Ballroom.
Three highly contrasting events then take place on the same day at St Mary’s Church on Saturday May 23, including firstly BBC presenter Elly Fiorentini in conversation with BBC Arts Correspondent David Sillito at noon, reflecting on her long career in local radio.
Headlining the 2026 festival is a unique event featuring two renowned BBC television journalists, both from Scarborough, in conversation together at St Mary’s Church.
Former broadcaster and author Peter Taylor CBE, renowned for his authoritative documentaries and books on The Troubles in Northern Ireland, will also be interviewed by the David Sillito at 1.30pm.
Commencing at 2.45pm and celebrating the 500th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of the English New Testament, When God Spoke English: William Tyndale’s Struggle For The First English Bible is the self-explanatory title of Dr Harry Spillane’s lecture on the momentous historic translation of what became the world’s most published book.
At St Mary’s Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday May 27 is a talk on an aspect of everyday psychology by communication trainer and author Duncan Lewis, who will present ‘The Impostor in Us. Why Impostor Syndrome Can Be a Force For Good’.
The phenomenon, doubting one’s abilities or attributing success to luck rather than skill about which Mr Lewis will discuss techniques on reframing the mindset as a signal for growth, humility and opportunity.
Visit bigideasbythesea.com for tickets and information.
The Big Ideas By The Sea Festival programme is also listed in The Scarborough Fair summer season brochure.
Click here for more in the Scarborough Fair programme.