On Wednesday 30 October 2024, historian Rosalind Spears presented a talk to ODs, their partners and friends, entitled:

“Following the lives of Sophia and Robert Gray, and some of their achievements including the churches designed by 'Sophy'”. 

Robert and Sophy Gray were the Founders of Bishops.

Rosalind Spears is an English woman married to South African Johnny Spears, son of the painter Frank Spears.  They have been 'swallows' for the last fifteen years, dividing their lives between south Devon UK and Hout Bay.  This has allowed Rosalind to write and deliver talks on Frank Spears; their home in Devon; National Trust properties; & famous South African women as in Lady Anne Barnard, Florence Phillips and Sophia Gray, as well as Agatha Christie.

The talk took place in The Mitre Lounge in the ODU buildings at Bishops.

Tea was served from 10.30am followed by the presentation, illustrated with slides &c.

The talk was part of the regular series of colloquia introduced at The Mitre by the OD Ambassador Dr Paul Murray.  There are normally two colloquia per term.  The talk targets ODs their partners and friends.

The next talk is scheduled to be given by Dr Sydney Cullis OD, entitled: 

" A hypothetical trip by tram and U-Bahn around Vienna based on several previous visits and using the life of Empress Elizabeth, fondly known as Sisi, as a thread on which to hang the story. She was the wife of the last Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who hated life in the Imperial Court but was beloved by her subjects, especially the Hungarians."

This will take place on Wednesday 20 November 2024 at 10.30am at The Mitre.