By Juliet Hall

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Archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver is best known for his role as lead presenter on BBCÔÇÖs Coast, the long running documentary series which travels BritainÔÇÖs coastline uncovering the stories and secrets of this island nation. Thanks to his popularity on Coast, Oliver has launched a successful writing career and is the author of several books focusing on the culture and history British Isles. OliverÔÇÖs talk, entitled ÔÇÿThe Story of the British Isles in 100 PlacesÔÇÖ, accompanies his new book of the same name, and takes audience members around the British Isles, visiting the 100 places included in the book.

The talk was very much intended to take the audience on a ÔÇÿjourneyÔÇÖ both through time and through space: weaving his way around the British Isles, Oliver blended geography with history as he told tales of landmark events which have shaped the Britain we all know and recognise today. Starting from the moment the first humans set foot on these islands, Oliver worked his way chronologically through the stories of Britain through the ages, arriving eventually at the present day.

Oliver was an engaging speaker, his passion for the subject shining through and enrapturing the audience. The clear message intended to be taken away from the evening was that we should all stop and think about the land on which we stand, and those who stood on this land before us. And indeed Oliver did manage to achieve this: I left St DavidÔÇÖs Hall humbled by what I had learnt about my country, vowing to open my eyes more to my surroundings and think more deeply about the place I call home.

This is not to say the eveningÔÇÖs proceedings did not have its flaws. As much as there were good things to say about the talk, it was also a little rough around the edges. For starters, the whole thing was essentially a glorified Prezi presentation, the talk being based around a projected map of the British Isles and zooming in to specific places, the significance of which Oliver would then explain. The map needing editing, having several glaring spelling mistakes (such as ÔÇÿEdimburghÔÇÖ). Furthermore, Oliver went through the entirety of the places included in his book ÔÇô all 100 of them. This was a puzzling move on his part, leaving the audience member wondering why they would then go and buy the book, given that no secrets had been left to be discovered within its pages. Including all 100 places also made the talk vastly too long, clocking in at nearly three hours. I spotted more than a few nodding heads towards the end, a sure sign that the talk needed cutting down considerably.

ItÔÇÖs a shame the talk needed a good edit and slim-down, as Oliver was an inspiring speaker with so much knowledge and appreciation for these islands. The tales he told were fascinating and thought-provoking, and I have no doubt its overall message will stay with me for a long time.

Photography Credits to Ellis Parrinder.