Old photographs are much collected today, offering a glimpse into a way of life far removed from our own , but who took the photographs, and why?

In a beautifully illustrated talk at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall on Monday, 7 December, Prof Richard John “Jan” Pentreath reveals an incredible archive of rare local images which span from the mid-nineteenth century up to the end of the 1930s.

Prof Pentreath says: “Each image represents a snapshot of our rich local maritime history and reveals the lives of the men and women who lived and worked on our waters. This talk will look at a number of stunning images and the fascinating stories behind them.”

This illustrated talk, entitled Snapshots of Cornish Maritime History, is part of a programme combining a lecture and lunch, which explores different historical and nautical themes. The lecture and set lunch is from 12.30pm on Monday, 7 December and costs £12.50. To book your place please call 01326 214546.