Clerk, Special Duties
2023-09-29 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-30 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-04 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-06 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-07 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-14 10:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Bentley Priory Museum, Mansion House Drive, Stanmore, HA7 3FB, United Kingdom
Since February 2023, project volunteers have been researching some of the incredible women who served in Clerk, Special Duties roles within the Dowding System and have curated a temporary exhibition which is now on display in the Museum.
This project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Friday Morning Talks: From SPITFIRES to VAMPIRES and BEYOND - With Air Marshal GA 'Black' Robertson CBE
2023-09-29 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where AIR MARSHAL GA ‘BLACK’ ROBERTSON CBE BA FRAeS FRSA, will join us to talk about the remarkable career of New Zealand ace Owen Hardy, the feature of his latest book.
World War Two Spitfire pilot Owen Hardy was probably the last New Zealand ace to tell his story. He left home at 18 bent on joining the RAF and by 1942, aged only 20, he was at Biggin Hill with 72 Squadron under Brian Kingcome. D-Day found him flying over the Normandy beaches with 485 (New Zealand) Squadron. That he survived the war unharmed owed as much to luck as it did to his ability as a fighter pilot. Unable to settle in civilian life afterwards in New Zealand, he returned to the RAF for the second phase of a remarkable career.
Converting to jets, Hardy went on to command 71 Squadron, leading a Vampire aerobatic team with considerable success across Europe – dodging MiGs at the same time! But adapting to peacetime service wasn’t easy. Previously stimulated by the wartime environment and still passionate about flying, he was less enamoured with staff jobs, and this despite working on the introduction of a new, state-of-the-art missile system, Bloodhound. Then a fateful decision, to turn down a Javelin squadron and follow his mentor, led finally to disillusionment.
In telling Hardy’s story, Black Robertson shines a light not just on what it was like to fly in combat, but also on the changing face of a post-war RAF which arguably undervalued some of its heroes. From the heat of North Africa to the uncertainties of the Cold War, it’s a unique and enthralling tale.
This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

The Bentley Priory Chronicles
2023-09-30 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday 30 September, 11AM – 12pm.
Access to the Museum between 10am – 1pm.
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Bentley Priory Museum, join us for a journey in words and music through the Estate’s 850 year history.
From the team that brought you previous Bentley Priory Museum shows: Fighter Command and the Battle for Britain (2015), Beyond the Trenches (2017), and Flying without Feathers (2018).
Performance will include members of Tonic Choir and children from a local school.
Approximate running time is 1 hour. Limited seating so book early!
£10 per person
Click this link to book
When the performance sells out, please have a look at availability for the other 3 performances. A waiting list will be kept where this is not possible for you and we can be contacted via the methods below.
Email: enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk | Telephone: 020 8950 5526
Please note: Admission to the Museum on this day will only be for performance ticket holders.

The Bentley Priory Chronicles
2023-09-30 14:00 - 15:00
Saturday 30 September, 2pm – 3pm.
Access to the Museum between 1pm – 4pm.
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Bentley Priory Museum, join us for a journey in words and music through the Estate’s 850 year history.
From the team that brought you previous Bentley Priory Museum shows: Fighter Command and the Battle for Britain (2015), Beyond the Trenches (2017), and Flying without Feathers (2018).
Performance will include members of Tonic Choir and children from a local school.
Approximate running time is 1 hour. Limited seating so book early!
£10 per person
Click this link to book
When the performance sells out, please have a look at availability for the other 3 performances. A waiting list will be kept where this is not possible for you and we can be contacted via the methods below.
Email: enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk | Telephone: 020 8950 5526
Please note: Admission to the Museum on this day will only be for performance ticket holders.

Sold out - The Bentley Priory Chronicles - Sold Out
2023-10-07 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday 7 October, 11am – 12pm.
Access to the Museum between 10am – 1pm.
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Bentley Priory Museum, join us for a journey in words and music through the Estate’s 850 year history.
From the team that brought you previous Bentley Priory Museum shows: Fighter Command and the Battle for Britain (2015), Beyond the Trenches (2017), and Flying without Feathers (2018).
Performance will include members of Tonic Choir and children from a local school.
Approximate running time is 1 hour. Limited seating so book early!
When the performance sells out, please have a look at availability for the other 3 performances. A waiting list will be kept where this is not possible for you and we can be contacted via the methods below.
Email: enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk | Telephone: 020 8950 5526
Please note: Admission to the Museum on this day will only be for performance ticket holders.

SOLD OUT -The Bentley Priory Chronicles - SOLD OUT
2023-10-07 14:00 - 15:00
This performance has sold out

Saturday 7 October, 2pm – 3pm.
Access to the Museum between 1pm – 4pm.
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Bentley Priory Museum, join us for a journey in words and music through the Estate’s 850 year history.
From the team that brought you previous Bentley Priory Museum shows: Fighter Command and the Battle for Britain (2015), Beyond the Trenches (2017), and Flying without Feathers (2018).
Performance will include members of Tonic Choir and children from a local school.
Approximate running time is 1 hour. Limited seating so book early!
When the performance sells out, please have a look at availability for the other 3 performances. A waiting list will be kept where this is not possible for you and we can be contacted via the methods below.
Email: enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk | Telephone: 020 8950 5526
Please note: Admission to the Museum on this day will only be for performance ticket holders.

Friday Morning Talks: American Eagle Squadrons in the RAF - With Aldon Ferguson
2023-10-13 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where popular speaker and historical researcher Aldon Ferguson will return to talk us through the formation and history of the three American RAF Eagle Squadrons in the 2nd World War.

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Remembrances of War
2023-10-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-25 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-27 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-08 10:00 - 16:00 and 6 more dates
Paul Joyce has provided the opportunity for Bentley Priory Museum to present, for the first time, his unique collection of pictures inspired by his memories of The Second World War. His paintings combine personal impressions of earth-shattering events with received images, which we have scarcely recovered from eight decades on. His claim to be the sole remaining artist still dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of a conflict which ended with the only time nuclear weapons have been used in battle, is probably accurate. We are pleased to present these unforgettable events, honed by his particular vision, to the public as a premiere event.
Paul Joyce’s work is held in many private and public collections, including: The Royal Collection of Queen Elizabeth the Second; The Department of the Environment, The Arts Council of Great Britain, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, London, The Tate Gallery, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, The National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, The American Film Institute and The Library of Congress, as well as a number of institutions and universities in the UK, Europe and the United States.
LUCIDA PRODUCTIONS HOMEPAGE

Friday Morning Talks: Enemy Sighted - With Dilip Amin
2023-11-03 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where Dilip Amin will be be with us to talk about The Story of the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge (Former 11 Group Headquarters during the Battle of Britain) and the World’s First
Integrated Air Defence System.
Dilip will be talking about the research behind his recently released book ‘Enemy Sighted’, which:
• Explores the Battle of Britain Bunker’s history and its role in defending the UK
• Shows how an aerial shield was forged in the lead up to WW2, and explains how Britain’s integrated air defence system came together and operated
• Details the Bunker’s central role during the Battle of France, the Dunkirk Evacuation, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz
• Portrays a detailed account of Battle of Britain Day, using actual combat reports
• Reveals how Winston Churchill was influenced by and played a part in the Bunker’s history
• Provides a wealth of captivating information and intriguing facts, assimilated through
extensive research of many original wartime documents
DILIP AMIN is a retired police chief superintendent, with a life-long interest in military history, military aviation, and the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He volunteers as a tour guide at the Battle of Britain Bunker and relishes the opportunity to share its rich and fascinating story with visitors, bringing its history to life as a tribute to those who served there during the dark days of war. He now puts the investigative and presentational experience gained whilst in the police to good use, devoting much of his time to researching and writing about his field of passion
This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Friday Morning Talks: My Father's War - With Gary Italiaander
2023-11-10 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where Gary Italiaander returns to tell the story of his father’s experiences during the Second World War.
After joining us last year for a sell out audience with Bomber Command veteran Monty Felton DFC, Gary returns to tell the story of his Father Michael Italiaander, who was a great friend of Monty. Michael was the youngest British war artist in the 2nd World War. Gary has recorded the fascinating and amusing stories told to him by his father in a book called ‘My Father’s War’, which also features many of Michael’s stunning paintings and cartoons. Gary will be showing some of these illustrations and talking about the stories behind them.
This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place
