I'm Stephen Hoadley. I offer a range of talks on aspects of the history of travel to organisations such as local history societies, the U3A, the WI and others.
Please message me or email for details. [email protected]
25/03/2026
It was lovely to return today to talk to the Stubbington Stroke Support Group. We chatted about the liner Queen Mary and I'm always amazed at the depth of people's memories about the ship, given that she left Southampton for the last time nearly 60 years ago. A lady brought some photographs taken by her father of Queen Mary being fitted out on Clydebank in 1936. This is one of them.
05/03/2026
Just back from a second visit to Woolston & Sholing WI. I always come home knowing more than I did when I left; today I found out all about Hoover long-service awards from one of the members. The company obviously took such things very seriously.
05/03/2026
90 years ago today at Eastleigh aerodrome, Vickers chief test pilot Joseph "Mutt" Summers opens the throttle and begins the takeoff roll of Supermarine's latest protoype - The Spitfire.
04/03/2026
Tonight I made my debut at the Stoke Road Sisters WI in Gosport. My thanks to them for making me so welcome and for joining in so enthusiastically. A really lovely evening.
24/02/2026
You know you're from Southampton when ... you have stories to tell about the floating bridge. Thank you to the ladies of the Hedge End WI for the warm welcome tonight and the memories shared.
10/02/2026
Please like and share far and wide!
05/02/2026
At my talk tonight about the Queen Mary in Bursledon, what an honour to meet David Treasure Jones, son of the Queen Mary's last Captain!
04/02/2026
Tomorrow night!
04/02/2026
That was a very enjoyable morning with 100+ members of the Gosport U3A. Thanks for the very warm welcome.
30/01/2026
The pleasure of being sort of off-duty tonight by giving a talk to my own local history society. Memories of Netley in the 1970s, and there were plenty of them from everyone.
22/01/2026
I'd go.
