When Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, he proved that extinction was a real and present threat – yet Victorian Britain embraced the extravagant feather fashion craze anyway. Despite early warnings from naturalists, demand for plumage soared while over 150 bird species vanished. Today, with roughly 13% of living birds threatened with extinction, our modern debates mirror those sparked in the 1880s. Join Victorian scholar Dr Bethany Dahlstrom as she explores how pioneering Victorian organisations like the RSPB laid the groundwork for modern conservation, revealing why the warnings of 140 years ago are eerily relevant today.

About the speaker:
Dr Bethany Dahlstrom holds a PhD from Lancaster University and specialises in the history of Victorian bird conservation. Her work explores how 19th-century women championed early environmental movements, defied social norms to form bird-protection societies, and shaped how we think about nature and ecological care today.

Attendance:
This event is free. No ticket is required. We operate on a first come first served basis. It’s relatively rare that we fill up the function room, but please be aware that if things are looking busy, the earlier you get there the less chance there is of not getting in.
Although the event is free, we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn’t end up in anyone’s pocket – it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield.

Accessibility:
The Admiral Woods Bar now has a functioning lift which can take wheelchair users (or others who are unable to manage stairs) down to the function room. There is also a disabled toilet in the function room area.