The Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society’s (IoMNHAS) winter season of meetings will conclude with two fascinating lectures on Saturday and Wednesday.

Saturday’s talk will be held in the Manx Museum lecture theatre and will start at 2pm after the society holds its annual general meeting and election of officers.

The talk is is open to non-members to attend and will see Christopher Weeks, conservator (objects) at Manx National Heritage, giving a lecture entitled ’Material Stories; the hidden lives of familiar objects’, looking at the less well-known background to some of the items in the Manx Museum collections. Drawing on personal observations he will discuss such topics as:

The connection between Irish Gulliver’s Travels author Jonathon Swift and the Isle of Man’s Bishop Wilson.

What was a Mason Formatore?

What was the hobby of George Quayle, the Castletown inventor, banker and owner of the yacht Peggy and Bridge House, now home to the island’s maritime museum?

Tea and biscuits will be served at the end of the lecture.

In addition, next week the society will be hosting an additional lecture to those already advertised in its current winter programme, and one which will highlight the important work of an organisation dedicated to keeping those using the seaways around the island safe.

The second, extra event will take place on Wednesday, March 29, at 7.15pm in Loch Promenade Methodist Church Hall, Douglas, when Mike Bullock,chief executive of Northern Lighthouse Board, on a special visit to the island, will give a talk entitled ’More Than Lighthouses’.

He will speak about the organisation’s important work dedicated to keeping those using the seaways around the island safe.

The NLB looks after not only lighthouses but also buoys and beacons which mark dangers and shipping channels and provide modern radio aids to navigation.

In addition it has a responsibility to oversee the safe marking of ports, harbours, fish farms, wind farms and offshore oil and gas installations.

The lecture will take place on the second floor of the building, above the actual church.

For further information about these events and the IOMNHAS, plus details of how to join, see www.manxantiquarians.com and www.facebook.com/IsleofManNaturalHistoryandAntiquarianSociety