Dauntsey’s School, in West Lavington near Devizes, has announced an impressive line-up of speakers for the 2021/22 programme of its renowned lecture series.

The Mercers’ Lectures are named in recognition of the links between Dauntsey’s and the Mercers’ Company, which date back to Mercer founder Alderman William Dauntsey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who founded the school in 1542.

The speakers are:

September 29, 2021 – Simon Reeve – travel author and TV presenter

October 13, 2021 – John Bird MBE – social entrepreneur and inventor of The Big Issue

November 3, 2021 – Carrie Gracie – renowned journalist and ex-BBC China Editor

February 2, 2022 – Dame Evelyn Glennie – virtuoso solo percussionist

 

Credit: James Callaghan

Credit: James Callaghan

 

March 9, 2022 – Sean Fitzpatrick – legendary former New Zealand rugby union player

April 20, 2022 Colonel Lucy Giles – President of the Army Officer Selection Board and the first female College Cammander at Sandhurst

Jo Sagers, Registrar at Dauntsey’s, said: “The Mercers’ Lectures are central to encouraging our pupils to engage with the outside world and think beyond the confines of their academic curriculum.

“This year we look forward to welcoming a diverse range of distinguished speakers covering travel, world affairs, music, sport and the military. This year’s lecture series will be a highlight for the School and, I hope, for our local community.”

All lectures commence at 7.30pm and will be held in the Memorial Hall. Attendees have been advised to check on the school's website on the day of the event.

Everyone is welcome to the Lectures and entry is free. Please note that bookings for lectures will open approximately one month before the date of each lecture.

Reserve your seats online at http://www.dauntseys.org