For a number of years Norwich School has played host to the eastern region of the prestigious Royal Geographical Society (RGS), hosting their informative and popular lectures on site. On 10 April 2025, we were delighted to welcome them back for their latest public lecture entitled: Reimaging our urban spaces as future green spaces.

Our guide was the country’s leading expert in this complex field, Professor Chris Rogers. Chris’ career has encompassed being a Solicitor, then Professor of Law at the University of Wales Aberystwyth, and latterly he is Emeritus Professor of Law at Newcastle University, from where he had travelled to give this talk.

During his interesting talk, attended by a number of pupils, staff, alumni and members of the RGS, Chris explained how our urban commons are a precious resource with enormous significance for promoting a wide variety of (sometimes conflicting) stakeholder interests: biodiversity, agricultural, heritage and wellbeing, and even as sites of congregation and protest. However, these commons are under threat as never before as cash-strapped councils look to cut expenditure to balance their books and to maintain frontline services. His talk explored the different legal and cultural concepts of an urban common, illustrated with examples from his extensive research. He gave considerable focus to Mousehold Heath in Norwich, which is a prime example of a well-managed and much-loved urban common that has a multiplicity of uses, despite its complex and at times fraught legal history.

Lower 6 pupil Hannah commented: “I really enjoyed yesterday’s lecture. I thought it was captivating and thought- provoking on how we need to protect our natural spaces within cities. It was all very interesting.”

RGS talks are open to all and are very approachable and friendly. Further details of RGS events are posted here: Upcoming events - RGS,. We greatly look forward to welcoming them back on site for two mouth-watering talks next month comprising:

Thursday 1^st May 2025 – Royal Geographical Society public lecture

The Rise and Rise of the Riviera - Jim Ring

This talk marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Jim Ring’s biography of the coast. He traces the story of the Riviera back to the British aristocrats who discovered it in the late 18th century.  He finds a group seeking health, warmth, a breathtaking land and seascape, and the easy morals with which the coast became associated. 'A sunny place,' said Somerset Maugham, 'for shady people.' Despite the rampant development that has characterised the coast since WW2, Jim will identify the qualities of topography, climate and culture that have enabled the Cote d'Azur to stay ahead of the pack over all these years. Jim's books and documentary films have won various awards.

19:30 - Blake Studio Norwich School, The Close - doors open 19:00

Booking: The rise and rise of the French Riviera - RGS

Thursday 29 May – Royal Geographical Society public lecture

A Life in Green: looking back, looking forward – Sir Jonathon Porritt CBE. 

Jonathon is a very eminent writer and campaigner on sustainable development, co-founder of Forum for the Future and the Prince of Wales Business and Sustainability Programme, and for many years Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Jonathon’s talk will address what we have learnt from the last 50 years of activism on climate and biodiversity issues, and what are now the priorities when the challenge has never been more pressing. Jonathon’s view is that we now face an inflection point, ecologically, politically and economically, with some very turbulent times ahead. The current focus of his work is on intergenerational justice, supporting young people in their activities addressing the twin crises of the Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies.

19:30 - Blake Studio Norwich School, The Close - doors open 19:00

Booking: A life in green: looking back, looking forward - RGS

Details of Norwich School’s eclectic selection of cultural events round site feature in our termly publication, At Close Quarters, with the summer 2025 edition due out imminently. See: Publications | Norwich School.