1. The extraordinary story of Agent Zig Zag.
Agent Zig Zag to the British, Agent Fritz to the Germans during WW2. A lover, dashing hero, part time conman, debonair safecracker, spy, patriot, and crook, but most especially Eddie Chapman was a truly remarkable double agent, unique amongst all others who doubtless saved many lives. From Double Cross to Iron Cross, the Germans awarded him one of their highest awards, without ever realising who Fritz really was. The only British citizen ever to be given one. A film of his exploits 'Triple Cross' was made in 1966.

2. The untold story of Agent Jack.
Mild mannered bank clerk Eric Roberts might not fit the physical image of a dashing WW2 hero, but as a perfect spy for MI5 he was a brave master of espionage and uncovered a truly worrying situation on the British home front that had to be kept quiet. Pretending to be Hitlers man in London, agent Jack built up a secret network of British Nazi sympathisers in the UK, with many passing secrets to him in the mistaken belief that he had a direct link to Berlin. For many years this intriguing story remained under lock and key, but can now be told.

3. Special Operations Executive. The Secret Saboteurs of WW2.
The amazing role of SOE in WW2. A fascinating and secret unit tasked by Winston Churchill to “Set Europe Ablaze”. However, from the outset SOE faced considerable opposition from the allies, well before the enemy had ever heard from them. Yet SOE agents demonstrated remarkable courage and resourcefulness in their guerrilla war, resulting in General D Eisenhower saying “…they played a very considerable part in our complete and final victory”. This talk will bring back to life the organisation, its Obstacles, Triumphs, Tricks & Tragedies.

4. Heroines, Hazards & Honours. The remarkable women agents of SOE in WW2
The story of the incredibly brave women of SOE.  In no previous or post war conflict have women been parachuted behind enemy lines to act as saboteurs. Their hazardous exploits were truly remarkable. The Recruiting Officer for SOE (F section) wrote “In my view, women were very much better than men for the work. Women, as you must know, have a far greater capacity for cool and lonely courage than men”. This talk will specifically highlight some of these extraordinary women such as Krystyna Skarbek who, most likely, inspired the character Vesper Lynd in the James Bond novel Casino Royale.

5. Characters, Courage and Calamities. The brave male agents of SOE in WW2
The intriguing story of the men within SOE and their equally astonishing adventures, often working in tandem with no less remarkable women agents. This talk will focus on individuals such as Wing Commander ‘Tommy’ Yeo-Thomas (aka ‘The White Rabbit’), one of the most extraordinary SOE secret agents of WW2 who survived the war by defying unbelievable odds and enduring brutal treatment. Many believe that he was the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s fictional hero, James Bond. Reference will also be made to the American and Canadian contribution to secret teams parachuted into occupied France ahead of D-Day 1944.

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6. Norway and the race to stop Armageddon

"They did nothing less than save the world” wrote one CBS News correspondent.  With temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius and carrying over 30lbs. of individual kit, this is the fascinating story of highly dangerous missions in Norway by SOE during WW2 that prevented Nazi Germany from developing a nuclear bomb.  Some years ago the presenter met the leader of the most successful SOE mission and will use his words to describe what actually happened to stop a global catastrophe and in so doing rewrote the course of history. Failure to succeed would have meant an utterly different world today.

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7. The 'New Forest'. Where ancient history and outstanding natural beauty combine.
Please Note: This talk is created to be delivered only as a cruise ship presentation.  Located just a few miles from Southampton in Southern England, this extraordinary forest is known for its unique mix of woodlands, heathlands and coastline. It was proclaimed a Royal Forest by William the Conqueror in 1079 and still maintains many traditions from those times. It encompasses a rich tapestry of local folklore and legends, woven into the landscape and its inhabitants. This includes tales of witches and ghosts (the presenter lives in the forest and is a Trustee of the Heritage Centre). In more recent times part of the forest also became a secret training school for Allied saboteurs during WW2, as referred to in some of the above presentations: