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Public speaker Alan Fitzgerald in Marlow Buckinghamshire
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Alan Fitzgerald

Location: Marlow Buckinghamshire
About The Speaker...

I trained as a Mechanical Engineer as an Apprentice in London. Following Graduation in 1969, with a BSc (Hons), I spent twenty years as a designer in the HVAC and the Machine Tool industry, where the writing of control systems software led me on to my next career in the IT industry, working for UK, European and US based companies such as Oracle, BP and BT. Following 5-years in Mergers and Acquisitions I retired for the first time in 2002. After 6-months of boredom I set up my own Consultancy. I then ‘discovered’ Academia and returned to work full time for Kingston University, London (in 2005), and for Aston University (in 2010) supervising a post-graduate MSc engineering programme to the present day – although I have now retired (again !).
I am a Chartered Engineer and have been a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for 30-years. I’m Convenor of the Marlow u3a Engineering,Technology and Transportation (ETT) group. I have given these talks to various u3a, Family History and Probus Groups in and around the Thames Valley.

About Their Talks...

I currently have a portfolio of 8-presentations. All are delivered in PowerPoint presentation form lasting around 40-45 minutes. This is usually followed by a 15-minute Q&A session

Fee:

Currently (for 2025) the Speakers fee for my talks is £50 plus travelling expenses (milage) where appropriate.
The 2026 Speakers fee for my talks will be £70 plus travelling expenses (milage) where appropriate

My Contact Details:
Phone:

07827 459170

Email:

alansfitzgerald@gmail.com

View Talks by Alan Fitzgerald

Adventures of an Engineer in Foreign Lands

As a Chartered Engineer working for Scandinavian, UK and American companies, travel has been very much a part of my life over the years. There were many visits to companies in the USA (30+ US States over the years) as well as to Canada, Israel, Australia, Africa, most of Europe and to the Far East. Many amusing incidents have occurred over that time – like being locked in a taxi without a driver, stationary in the fast lane of a motorway in Azerbaijan. Or, stuck in an Angolan traffic jam watching an endless stream of retail opportunities walking by,

The Hidden Rivers of London

Public speaker Alan Fitzgerald in Marlow Buckinghamshire gives his talk on The Hidden Rivers of London

Everyone is probably familiar with the river Thames in London, but how many know of the multitude of other rivers that flow through and under London? This talk examines some of these ‘lost’ rivers that still exist but are largely unseen. Most of these rivers join the Thames somewhere along its banks in central London, where they join can still be seen today. Both North and South of the Thames have many of these fascinating lost rivers, that together have interesting stories to relate. From floating coffins to the Temple of Mithras the lost rivers of London have stories to tell.

Does Britain really make anything anymore

Public speaker Alan Fitzgerald in Marlow Buckinghamshire gives his talk on Does Britain really make anything anymore

This presentation will examine what’s happened to British Industry since the Industrial Revolution. Following a retrospective of Britain’s contributions to the world’s economies, it will focus on events since the end of the second world war that have affected Britain and shaped its industrial heritage. Finally, it will examine the technologies that need to be adopted to ensure our survival as a leading industrial power.

A Brief Review of Britains early Trading Company's

Britain’s Trading Company’s were established far earlier than most people realise. Several are over 500-years old and began trading around the world as representatives of the Government. One or two of them, like the East India Company and the Hudson Bay Company, laid the foundations for the early British Colonies that went on to become the bedrock of the Slave Trade and the British Empire. This presentation examines their histories and position in the world order.

Learning to Fly

Public speaker Alan Fitzgerald in Marlow Buckinghamshire gives his talk on Learning to Fly

This presentation concerns a light-hearted look at what’s involved in getting a UK Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). How long it took me, what it cost and the fun I had flying around the IUK looking into people’s back gardens. I also cover landing at the ‘wrong’ airfield, flying (briefly) in the USA, and the delights of buying a share in a group-owned plane. And finally…the crash !

Industrial Heritage Plaques

Public speaker Alan Fitzgerald in Marlow Buckinghamshire gives his talk on Industrial Heritage Plaques

This presentation will examine some of the more interesting of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Heritage Plaque awards presented as a mark of Engineering excellence to companies around the world. To date over 130 awards have been given to recognise exceptional products, technology or inventions that have transformed the world. These will range from the Ironbridge Museums to the Vulcan Bomber, from Cragside House to the Thames Barrier and many more.

Subterranean London

This talk is Complimentary to “Hidden Rivers of London”
This presentation examines the many and varied underground Structures, tunnels and transport facilities under London. Since the Roman times many of these features were constructed for a variety of reasons – hiding Utilities, defence purposes, sewers, pedestrian tunnels under the River Thames and of course the famous London Underground train system which was the first in the world. The whole area under London is a maze of tunnels that go ever deeper underground.

A Brief History of Anglo-Saxon London - The Dark Ages

After the Romans left the Town of Londinium in the 5th Century the Town declined and fell into disuse. The Anglo-Saxons invaders took the opportunity to colonise the old Town but they didn’t inhabit within the old walls. Instead they developed a new Town somewhere west of the disused old one – but where was it ? Nobody knew for sure until 1985 when archiologists excavating in Covent Garden discovered the true location of what was called Lundenwic for several hundred years. When the Vikings invaded in the 8th Century they occupied the old Town as Lundenwic declined – this was called Lundenburg which remained there until King Alfred restored the old walls and drove the Vikings out. This presentation examines the 600-years of the Dark Ages and the creation of England.

Alan Fitzgerald Contact Details:
Phone:

07827 459170

Email:

alansfitzgerald@gmail.com

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