The Arts Society, Havering will be holding their next talk on Tuesday 13 January 2026 in The New Windmill Hall, Upminster RM14 2QH, starting at 10:15 am. This event is open to visitors for a fee of £8.

The Century of Deception: The Birth of Hoax in the Eighteenth Century by Ian Keable

The 1700s was a period when the people of England seemed to be especially gullible. They believed a woman could give birth to rabbits, or a man could climb inside a two pint bottle and sing inside it. These hoaxes weren’t just written about extensively in newspapers and journals but also brilliantly and amusingly depicted by satirical artists such as William Hogarth and James Gillray. In this entertaining talk Ian Keable demonstrates how 18th century hoaxes are memorable not only for their imaginative nature but also because of the differing motives of the trick.

For further information visit tashavering.org.uk/Lectures/FutureLectures.aspx , e-mail info@tashavering.org.uk , or phone 01708 221 903.

By Editor on 8th January 2026   /   News   /   Leave a comment