Add Your Profile and Talks
Advanced Search
Public Speakers Corner > Browse by County > Derbyshire > Iain Betson
0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5
Loading...
Areas:
Derbyshire Leicestershire Nottinghamshire South Yorkshire Staffordshire
Categories:
Fees £51 - £149 Educational History Technology War and Conflict
Talk Topics:

Iain Betson

Location: Derby
About The Speaker...

Apart from two years, when he built nuclear missiles at a secret research centre, (true story!) and being a signatory of the Official Secrets Act as a result, Iain Betson has worked all his professional life in the television and radio broadcasting industry, both in the UK and internationally. A BBC trained radio engineer and training instructor, he trained many of the journalists you see and hear on UK radio and television news.

His talks both reflect his professional experience and interests. He is able to bring real-world knowledge to enhance the delivery.

About Their Talks...

Feel confident to book me

As a professional trainer, of many years standing, I have no worries in delivering my talks in front of an audience, be they online or in-person. I “de-jargon” the subject to make the talk accessible to all and can adjust my delivery to suit a varied audience. I am always willing to take questions at the end.

I have my own presentation equipment: laptop, (microphone if required) , projector and screen or can connect to a large TV monitor via the appropriate cables.

Groups I have delivered to

Civic and history societies
Probus
Engineering societies
Rotary clubs
U3A & senior learning groups

Testimonials

“Iain many thanks for your professionally delivered talk. It was very relevant in view of the Ukraine invasion. I will certainly keep you in mind for if I am asked for recommendations.”

“Thank you for a most interesting and informative talk, which was enjoyed by all our members. I have to say that I don’t remember being as frightened in the 70s and 80s as when I heard your recordings from the time!”

Fee:

I charge £40.00 for an online and £50.00 for in-person delivery for any talk.
Mileage expense is charged at 50p/mile.

My Contact Details:
Phone:

07966239391

Email:

iainbetson@gmail.com

View Talks by Iain Betson

The BBC And The Bomb: Cold War Broadcasting From The Bunkers

From the 1950s to the 1990s, if the Cold War had turned hot, the Government had well-laid plans for what to do in the event of a nuclear strike on Britain. Part of those plans was the implementation of the BBC-produced, but Government-directed, Wartime Broadcasting Service: A single national radio station that would have replaced ALL radio and TV services in the UK.

Originally conceived to provide both information and boost the morale of survivors whilst they waited for rescue, it morphed into a mouthpiece to tell the nation how they might survive after the H-Bomb was dropped and the recovery of the country afterwards.

But for many it would have been the last voice they ever heard…

Using a multi-media presentation of images, audio, video, first-hand memories of the people who ran it and declassified documents, Iain Betson tells the story of this little-known piece of Cold War history: Where it would been broadcast from? What would have been heard? (you would be surprised!) and who, in the event of an attack, would have descended into the bunkers to broadcast it?

And, he asks, does such a service exist today?

This talk has been very well received by both social groups and professional bodies. It has been delivered to the Cold War Network – a professional body connected with UK museums and universities who research into the Cold War era and promote exhibitions on it and understanding of it.

Number Stations: How Spy Masters Talk to their Spies

James Bond may use sophisticated gadgets to communicate with M, but if he was using those in the real world he would be caught quite quickly.

Since espionage began, spies have used simple methods to code and send messages. Even today, with digital technology, these methods are still the most secure and easy to conceal. Since World War 2, radio transmission technology has been used by spy-masters to issue instructions to their agents in the field.

In his talk, Iain Betson will let you into the secret, yet surprisingly open, world of high powered radio stations, broadcasting strange voices, speaking seemingly a meaningless series of numbers, letters or tones across the World. These stations, with their coded messages, were not just a part of the Cold War: They are on-air right now.

But what are these stations for? What do the messages mean? And who listens to them? Illustrated with sounds and images, in this talk you will be let in on the secret as to why spy’s used this simple communications method and asks: In spite of today’s digital communications, are they still doing so today?

The Tyrant, The Crooner And The Tape Recorder: The Unlikely History of the Tape Recorder

The 1950s to the 1980s saw the recording of some of the most iconic music ever created, from Rock Around the Clock via Sgt Pepper to The Wall by Pink Floyd. And it was all made thanks to the invention of the reel-to-reel tape recorder.

Strangely the development of magnetic tape recording, starting in the 1930s, is marked by two milestones that made for unlikely bedfellows: the distribution of Nazi propaganda and the desire of a popular crooner, with a very keen sense of business, to control his own diary.

Iain Betson illustrates his talk on the development of magnetic tape recording with audio, images and anecdotes, from a serviceman who made history when deciding to turn left on his journey home, to chemical companies with a dark past, plus popular performers of their day.

Iain Betson Contact Details:
Phone:

07966239391

Email:

iainbetson@gmail.com

Send a message to Iain Betson