He left school aged 15 with no educational qualifications and got a job as a film rewind boy. Aged twenty-two he was imprisoned as a petty criminal. By the age of 30 he was making documentary films for television, including The World at War, Vietnam: A Television History and Cold War. He became the exhibition director for Washington’s Holocaust Memorial Museum, which influenced his responses to our government’s policies and warnings as Covid 19 was killing thousands. Turning to his book shelves, he began writing and recording talks that were broadcast on local radio during the pandemic and became a book, 'Matters of Life and Death: Living with History in a Pandemic'.

Tickets are £12 and available via Eventbrite using the link below or in person at the library during opening hours – cash only. Tickets will also be available outside library opening hours, in the library, on a Wednesday morning 10.30 – 12.30 where card payments will also be accepted.

Martin Smith   Matters of Life and Death: Living with History in a Pandemic

16th November 10.30am until 11.30am - (60 mins)