What’s on

Fri 13 Apr 2018: The muck called gold

This event is in the past.

For the last of this season's special talks, The Charlbury Society is heading off in search of gold. Using knowledge gained during his career in the mining industry, former Society chairman Simon Walker presents a fascinating insight into gold as a material, and how the desire for gold has led countless thousands of people to risk everything, " just to try to find some.

Goldrushes must have occurred throughout recorded history, but it was in the 19th Century that they reached their peak. Taking the California goldrush of 1849 and the Klondyke goldrush 50 years later as examples, Simon describes the hardships endured by the early 'Argonauts'. How many of them set out? What did they take with them? What did they find? How many got rich and, more importantly, how many actually kept their wealth?

And goldrushes can have important effects on societies as well. If the California goldrush had not happened, it would have taken decades for the western United States to be opened up", and Australia would have remained a set of isolated colonies. What was the social impact of the Klondyke, and would it have attracted so many would-be prospectors if the media had not whipped up near-hysteria right across North America and beyond?

What is it about gold that makes it so desirable? The beautiful things that can be made from it? Or just the solid feel of an indestructible store of wealth? Come along and find out.

Memorial Hall 8pm. Refreshments from 7.30pm
Members and under 18s free. Non-members £3

Judy Dod · Link


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