Media and Talks

Sharing Stories of Britain’s past and heritage through engaging talks and appearances across TV, radio, press and on-line.

FEATURED TALK

Here you can see the TEDx talk, From Waterways to the Stars: Preserving Our Past for Our Future.

Learn more about Astromount: www.astromount.co.uk

From Waterways to the Stars

In his TEDx Banbury talk, From Waterways to the Stars: Preserving Our Past for Our Future, Matthew Armitage explores how understanding the past can help shape the future. Drawing on his experience as an archaeologist, heritage professional, and Managing Director of Tooley’s Boatyard, he examines the importance of preserving skills, knowledge, and historic places while continuing to innovate and adapt.

The talk brings together many of the themes that run through Matthew’s work, including archaeology, industrial heritage, engineering, education, and public engagement. It also reflects his long standing interest in astronomy and scientific exploration. Alongside his heritage work, Matthew is the founder of Astromount, a project focused on the design and development of precision telescope mounts for astronomical observation.

Whether exploring an ancient landscape, preserving a historic dockyard, or looking out into the night sky, the central message is the same: by understanding where we have come from, we gain a better understanding of where we might go next.

TALK TOPICS

Tooley’s Boatyard: From Past to Present and the Oxford Canal

The story of the Banbury Dockyard from 1778 to the present day, exploring nearly 250 years of continuous operation, the people who worked there, and its role in shaping the Oxford Canal.

Before England: Unearthing the Human Story

Exploring the human story of Britain from the first arrivals to the Norman Conquest, using archaeology, landscapes, artefacts and discoveries to bring the ancient past to life.

History Under Your Feet: Finding Objects in Everyday Places

How archaeology and curiosity can uncover the hidden stories of the past all around us, and what everyday finds can tell us about the people who came before us.