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Winter Events in the Library at Combermere – ‘Breaking the Mould’
A series of illuminating lectures and conversations with some remarkable people who have done remarkable things.
Combermere Abbey is proud to present a new series called Winter Events in the Library. In November, February and March this winter, we are holding a series of lectures in the beautiful, historic library at Combermere. Titled ‘Breaking the Mould‘, each person began life going down one path and pivoted to do something completely different. Coming from different walks of life, motivated by different passions and with fascinating and inspiring tales, come and enjoy a winter’s event meeting them, immersing yourself in their presentations and hearing their stories.
We are joined at each one by Radio and TV presenter Diana Mather, who will interview each one and take questions after bubbly and canapes. We are supporting each presenter with the charity of their choice.
The Library at Combermere Abbey has hosted many notable people during its history and is a beautiful and intimate setting for such gatherings. From royalty to literary figures, musicians to magicians, it has inspired and involved people from all around the world.
Come and join us for one or more of these exciting events. Please email [email protected] to book tickets.
Tickets are priced at £30.00 per person
Thursday 6th February 2025: Jamie Douglas-Hamilton – ‘The Big Row’ – first man-powered row across Drakes Passage and other adventures.
Thursday 6th March 2025: Hopwood DePree – From Hollywood to Hopwood. An American’s transformational journey to restore his family’s abandoned historic home in England.
Thursday 6th February 2025
Jamie Douglas-Hamilton – The Big Row
The first man-powered crossing of Drakes Passage and other adventures.
Born in Scotland, at the age of 30 in 2014, Jamie Douglas-Hamilton embarked on an adventure which would change his life. He set out to row 5,000 miles across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Africa with 5 others, breaking two world records and made a remarkable discovery leading to the creation of ActiPH Water, the first alkaline ionised UK water brand.
In 2019, he added to his tally of world records (now 15!) by rowing across Drakes Passage to Antarctica and again in 2022, just 5 months after open heart surgery, another Antarctic row to South Georgia. Jamie will tell this extraordinary story, his near brush with death and overcoming adversity with grit, determination and physical preparation and his mission to encourage more people to drink water and to embrace entrepreneurial spirit.
Thursday 6th March 2025
Hopwood DePree – From Hollywood to Hopwood
It is hard to imagine a more dramatic change of life than swapping a successful award-winning career as a writer and filmmaker in Hollywood for Hopwood DePree’s new passion – the restoration of his ancestral home, Hopwood Hall Estate in Manchester! Following up on a childhood family story, some wine and ancestry.com, he uncovered the connection!
Now this abandoned and unloved building is being restored and given a new lease of life thanks to his dynamic and creative energy and sense of purpose. Hopwood has honed his entertainment skills with a one-man stand up show called The Yank is a Manc which he performed at the Edinburgh Festival and has written a book called Downton Shabby, the amusing and frank story of coming to England to rescue the house.
He has documented his adventure on YouTube, @HopwoodXIV, and social media – recording every stage of the project and it now has 1,000,000 views. His lecture will be hilarious and informative and well worth listening to! Join us and share in the fun.
Web: hopwoodxiv.com
YouTube: @HopwoodXIV
Diana Mather: In Conversation With
Trained as an actor and dancer, Diana spent her early career on the stage before becoming a newsreader for BBC Northwest for over 10 years. Moving into the training sector, she has trained politicians, created the world’s first finishing school for men, achieving worldwide publicity. A seasoned professional, she has worked all over the world and her passion for the arts and culture culminated in a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe in ‘The Etiquette Show – Much ado about everything’. She contributes regularly to radio, press and television programmes and has written 12 books – her latest, ‘A Recipe for Life – 7 Steps to Becoming Happy, Healthy and Confident’ is due out in October.
Diana will be hosing the ‘In Conversation With’ section of the evening after refreshments when she interviews our presenters and takes questions from the guests.
Web: dianamather.com
Instagram: @mather.diana
