Public Speaker in Hampshire Julian Richmond talks about the A Portrait of the Architect as a Young Man
5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 55 votes, average: 5.00 out of 55 votes, average: 5.00 out of 55 votes, average: 5.00 out of 55 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5
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Julian Richmond

Location: Southsea, Hants
About The Speaker...

I am a 60 something retired Architect. I spent 71/2 years training, gained my RIBA and then spent two years replacing all the toilets at Paddington Station. My career with British Rail was brief. I was one of the fortunate ones. In 1978 there were no mobile ‘phones, no faxes, no emails. The RIBA gave us five days to respond to any reasonable request for information. Email reduced that to 5 minutes, the mobile to 5 seconds. I learned to draw using pen & ink, with drawing boards of teak, propped up on brick samples, chipped T-squares , not quite square set squares, and stencils. The foreman would call my “sir”, probably spelled “cur” . This is a Portrait of the Architect as a Young Man. The early years of my career, 1978 to 1984 before AutoCad, in-car-telephones, “Design & Build” and “Project Managers”. It was just SO MUCH MORE FUN

About Their Talks...

This is a rip-roaring rib tickling absolutely NOT Pevsner on the Medieval Architecture of Hampshire , journey down my memory lane, punctuated with the funny, the dotty and the downright ridiculous.

The construction industry is full of characters, clerk of works who “go native” and start driving the dumper truck, Project Managers who couldn’t manage a bun fight in a bakery, quantity surveyors with the skills set of a wizard who could work magic on the “final account”, structural engineers who doubled the size of everything “so that they could sleep at night” and others whose contribution was some kind of dark art. And helicopters. Don’t forget the helicopters.

Fee:

I don’t charge a fee,

I expect a donation proportionate to the number of people in the room multiplied by the number of laughs. Everything I bring in ( less reasonable expenses) goes to Macmillan Cancer Support. They supported me from the beginning of my “cancer journey” and continue to do so. The salary of my oncology nurse and psychologist is paid by Macmillan. Be generous! I try to use public transport where ever possible and charge transport at cost.

My Contact Details:
Phone:

02392352479

A Portrait of the Architect as a Young Man

Public Speaker in Hampshire Julian Richmond talks about the A Portrait of the Architect as a Young Man

So I’ll share with you what happens when bricklayers can’t count, when groundworkers forget the rules of Pythagoras, the difference between 3 minute old concrete and 3 day old concrete. Eric’s best ever excuse for not appearing on a Monday, the Ugly Man who married a Nasty woman. Sheep droppings on the green and the steel post. The old roaring HS125 and its “haze”. What really goes on in the Forensic Mortuary ( don’t believe everything you see in Silent Witness).

Social Housing, anti social clients, a day in a nuclear bunker, a day on the roof of Portsmouth Post Office. Climbing a tower crane, just for a dare. Vauxhall Astra Racing on the Marylebone Road.

The day the Arch Bishop of Canterbury came for lunch, the day I was reminded to buy a Post Stamp. This is a rip-roaring rib tickling absolutely NOT Pevsner on the Medieval Architecture of Hampshire journey down my memory lane, punctuated with the funny, the dotty and the downright ridiculous. Ken’s “fornicitorium”, and my Ford Cortina 2000E, held together with masking tape and the rust holding hands. Malcolm the Mentor. All this, and more.

Testimonials & Reviews

“A most interesting and amusing illustrated talk recounting the various experiences and pitfalls of an architect during his training!”

Robin – Four Marks Putting Club – February 2024

 

“Julian recently spoke at our Ladies’ Guild. His anecdotes from his early career in architecture are hilarious. He had all the ladies in absolute stitches. Everything he is given he sends to Macmillan or Cancer Research UK. I have passed his details onto other groups in Hampshire.”

Sarah – Ladies Guild – February 2024

 

“As a member of the Portsmouth Women’s Club I was looking forward to Julian’s talk and WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.
He brings the technicalities of the Architectural profession to life in a witty and engaging way. I could listen to his charming voice all-evening.”

Janice – WI – February 2024

 

“Julian Richmond generously spoke at a meeting of Southsea Afternoon WI at 24 hours notice when the booked speaker let us down. His talk is informative and witty and generated much laughter. I highly recommend Julian.”

Angela – WI – January 2024

 

“I am always slightly anxious when I pick a speaker for our Hampshire Farm Women’s Club monthly meeting, particularly if I haven’t heard them speak before, but Julian did not disappoint. He entertained us for an hour and a half reminiscing about his experience as an Architect, and had us in fits of laughter, which is always a good sign even if at times a bit shocked! I for one cringed at the cement incident knowing how my sons get annoyed if I so much as get a dog footprint on their fresh concrete! I will recommend to other friends.
We were delighted to make a collection for Cancer Research.
Thank you Julian, and I hope you meet your fundraising target.”

Celia – HFWC – December 2023

Julian Richmond Contact Details:
Phone:

02392352479

Send a message to Julian Richmond