Richard Gibbons

Location: March, Cambridgeshire
About me...

I give unique multimedia talks on virtually any topics related to World War II or the Cold War. In recent years I have presented to many U3A groups, museums and shows, including around 60 at the famous War and Peace Show in Kent.
I am able to design presentations or study days for specific occasion.

About my talks...

All of my talks include original video footage and music, and you can have my own original poetry as well if you wish! I am often available at very short notice. After being a teacher and comprehensive school manager for 25 years, I was Education Officer in Cambridgeshire, supporting schools and parents in challenging or emergency situations. I am now a self-employed media and education consultant, supporting schools, giving these talks and producing video programmes for museums and other organisations.

Fee:

My standard fee for an ‘off-the -peg’ one-hour talk is £49. This includes questions and as much discussion afterwards as you would like. Other talks by negotiation.

I do not request any travelling expenses for presentations within a ten-mile radius of my home. Beyond that distance they will be by agreement with the organiser booking the talk.

Online/virtual talks are available at a fee to be negotiated in advance.

My Contact Details:
Phone:

01354 680423

1. D-Day and the Normandy Aftermath

The build-up to D-Day, the plans for the invasion, the landings, the campaign in the Bocage, the aftermath.

I give a 60 minute and a 30 minute presentation.

2. Turning Points of World War II

A survey of some of the major turning points of the War with special emphasis on Hitler’s errors of judgement and a terrifying alternative history that might have happened had any of his decisions been different.

This is a 60 minutes presentation.

3. Operation Market Garden

Montgomery’s attempt to end the war quickly in late 1944, intentions, plans, the failure of the attempt, the aftermath.

This is a 60 minute presentation.

 

4. The Cuban Missile Crisis

Some recently-revealed information demonstrating that the Crisis was even more dangerous than was believed at the time, and how the Crisis actually continued for three months rather than the usually-believed 13 days.

I give a 90 minute and a 60 minute presentation.

5. Early Nuclear Crises

Revealing some lesser-known facts about how close the World came to nuclear conflict in the early Cold War—includes the Korean War, the Suez Crisis, crises in Berlin.

A 60 minutes presentation

6. Berlin—Divided City

A detailed look at the Berlin Airlift, the disastrous superpower summits, the Berlin crises and the role of Berlin in the Cold War itself.

A 60 minutes presentation

7. “The Third World War, 1983”

How the world came even closer to world war in 1983 than in the Cuban missile Crisis—the unknown facts revealed.

A 60 minutes presentation

8. Nuclear Protest in the UK, 1945-1991

A look at the ebb and flow of the protest movements, including nuclear testing, CND, Vietnam protests, Cruise missiles and the Greenham Women’s Peace Camp

A 60 minutes presentation

9. UK Cold War Culture in the year of the Cuban Missile Crisis

A creative look at the social, political and military background to the UK’s role in the Crisis of 1962.

A 30 minutes presentation

10. The Russians are Coming!

Some aspects of the Cold War from a Soviet perspective, and Cold War hysteria in the West.

A 60 minutes presentation

Original cold war poetry

This is a new talk available from Autumn, 2021, and is a free-wheeling and dramatic presentation, with music and images/video, of some of my own original modern poetry based on the recalled experiences of Cold Warriors across the world whom I have interviewed over many years.

I am happy to focus on virtually any aspect of the Cold War, including the military, political, nuclear and social/personal issues.

Beware! Many of my Cold War audiences have been powerfully moved by my poetry!

Testimonials & Reviews

‘I attended the little hallungbury history society talk on the d day landings. The presentation was excellent! The original footage accompanied by Richard’s narration brought the entire event alive. Very informative and evocative of what my mother’s generation did for us. Thank you.’

Louise  –  June 2024

Richard Gibbons Contact Details:
Phone:

01354 680423

Send a message to Richard Gibbons