Towcester Mill Brewery Talk
Chantry Lane, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6YY
Watling Street linking London to Holyhead is one of five Roman roads. But it was the Tudors who turned that network in to post roads and paved the way for the formation of the Post Office, which would become Britain’s first intelligence service. This is a story of intrigue, intercepts and invention where, in the name of national security, and maybe a dose of self-preservation, spymasters called on the services of the Post Office to assist them.
From Tudor postmasters appointed at the pain of death to provide horses, food and accommodation at a moment’s notice; to Oliver Cromwell’s ‘Secret Office’ inside the Post Office where intercepted letters were read and copied; to Charles II’s cryptographer who invented a copying machine; the engineers who intercepted the Zimmerman telegram which brought America in to WW1; and the Post Office engineers who built a machine to help the codebreakers of Bletchley Park break messages between Hitler and his High Command. This talk should have a little of something for everyone.
Philomena, who lives in Towcester, is a social historian, a former tour guide at Bletchley Park, and an author and a speaker who provides an insight into the intelligence services throughout the ages. She has written three books, is currently writing her fourth and will be signing copies of her books on the night.
Timings & Tours
- Thursday 12 September:
- 1900-2000
Location & directions
Chantry Lane, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6YY
- Directions:
- Towcester Mill Brewery is tucked down Chantry Lane right at the bottom of the lane. From the middle of town, go past the Town Hall and St Lawrence Church which are on your right.
- Contact on day:
- John Evans
- Telephone number:
- +441327437060
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Tickets must be pre-booked via Towcester Mill Brewery's website
- Booking contact name:
- Kathryn Hunter
- Booking telephone number:
- +441327437060
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk
- Booking opens:
- 23 Jul 2024 06:00 PM
- Booking closes:
- 12 Sep 2024 05:00 PM
Accessibility details
The talk will take place in the Malt Room on the second floor. There is a lift available to the second floor should anyone need it for access.
Additional information
The talk will start at 7pm. The Tap Room opens at 12pm on the day and doors to the Malt Room bar will open at 6.30pm. Food is available on the evening from The Flavour Trailer between 5pm-9pm.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 80
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
