Join us for an introduction to the nature of the slave trade from a British point of view and how it developed as the backbone of our economy. This talk focusses on the local effect, the estates in the shires based on plantation income, how the money reached down to the lowest members of society, and where the opposition to the slave trade came from. Much of the story is told through the voices of those who were there at the time.

Speaker Tony Conder is a firm Festival favourite. He moved to Gloucester to open the National Waterways Museum in the Docks, having previously worked for British Waterways as their museum curator. Now retired he enjoys giving talks on subjects ranging from: canals and canal people, railways and the Severn Bore.

Two-course lunch is served at 1.00 pm (special diets can be accommodated) but arrive early to get a drink and enjoy the lovely house and gardens.  The talk will commence about 2.00 pm.