J-PROGS

Services





Talks, Workshops and Quizzes



I am always delighted to give talks, lead workshops or run quiz games for groups out and about. Outline details of various possible sessions follow, though I am always happy to vary the content to suit the audience. I ask for a fee plus travel expenses and can usually turn out at short notice. A selection of my books can be put on display and made available for purchase, with 10% of takings going to the organisers of the event afterwards.

CRYPTINGO - Talk and Game NEW
Using the help of (a photo of) my dog Leo, I will explain how different types of cryptic clues are written, before going on to play a game of CRYPTINGO, a specially created game where cryptic clues and their solutions will be put to the audience in an adapted form of bingo. This talk will be suitable for everyone, cryptic crossword fans and complete novices. (Materials used will be drawn from Quick Cryptic puzzles which I have written for The Times newspaper, published under the name Lupa.)

William Shakespeare Puzzles - Talk NEW
This talk will look at how I approached the task of writing a puzzle book based on the writings of William Shakespeare. Various questions and challenges will be put up on screen as examples from the book are used to entertain and amuse the audience.

Charles Dickens Puzzles - Talk
This talk will look at how I approached the task of writing a puzzle book based on the major writings of Charles Dickens. Various questions and challenges will be put up on screen as examples from the book are used to entertain and amuse the audience.

FAKE NEWS: what the Romans span for us - Talk
This talk will look at how various Roman emperors made use of political spin, generally to make other Roman emperors seem more awful than they were themselves (warning - some of this could be a little bit rude).

POETS in PUBS: bards in the bar? - Talk
This talk will consider various well-known Roman poets including Catullus, Horace, Ovid and Virgil. Which of these would you actually enjoy having as your drinking partner - or would you just bar them all? Plenty of serious content here but the talk will be light-hearted in nature.

IMPERIUM LATIN - Talk
This talk will look at any aspect(s) of the Imperium Latin course, its relevance and how to teach it. It will be customised to the requirements of the organisation requesting it.

100 YORKSHIRE STARS - Talk
This talk will investigate how a list of the county’s top personalities was formulated in the process of writing my book Sonnets for Yorkshire Stars.

100 CLASSICAL STARS - Talk
This talk will investigate how a list of some top names in classical history and mythology was formulated in the process of writing my book Sonnets for Classical Stars.

A SONNET FOR ALL - Workshop
This practical workshop will focus on how to write a traditional sonnet and will allow a group of people working together to write a shared creation, which will be read aloud at the end of the session. The outcome will always be unpredictable but fun should be had by all.



Interactive Display design


I have written many software titles over the years and am able to create interactive touchscreen displays for museums and visitor centres on request. Six examples of my recent work are currently to be found in the World of James Herriot in Thirsk. Please click on this link to find out more.


Private Tuition in Latin and Ancient Greek


I offer private tuition in Latin or Greek for motivated students of all ages who are prepared to travel for their lessons to the Malton area or put up with using Zoom. I can cater for all ability ranges, from beginners to university level. Zoom teaching is easy to arrange and for this my charges are £40 per hour, regardless of how many people would be involved.

My preferred method of teaching Latin is to use my own course, Imperium. See link for details: www.imperiumlatin.com



Writing Services


I am able to create custom puzzles or sonnets on request, to suit a particular location or occasion. All I’d need would be a set of information, vocabulary and a theme.



 

Latin on Request


If you've always wanted to have a Latin motto, or you need to have something translated either into or from the language, please get in touch and I will see what I can do.


If any of these ideas appeals to you, please email me to discuss it.