With the arrival of fall colours comes the return of the Speaker Series at Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre. Have a seat in the beautiful Gallery space and listen to this season's lectures, including speakers both local and from further afield. All talks begin at 1pm, admission is by donation.

The Bluewater Astronomical Society begins with 'Solartalk' on Sunday September 20. Learn about the Sun, our "daytime star", explaining how it is responsible for such astronomical phenomena like eclipses and northern lights at night. Then, view sunspots and solar prominences using special telescopes that allow safe solar viewing.

On Sunday October 18, speaker Marjorie Davison presents the legacy of Agnes Macphail: first woman elected to parliament and a native of Grey County. Davison covers Macphail's work over nineteen years as an M.P. before defeat in 1940, and her later election as a member of provincial parliament in 1943.

Learn about the British Home Children on Sunday November 15: from the early 1860's up to the 1970's, children who were institutionalized in 'Homes' across the UK were sent to countries across the British Empire to be indentured farm workers and domestics. The majority of the "British Home children" (approx 120,000 aged four to fifteen years old) were sent to Canada, arriving between 1869 and 1939. Experts Sandra Joyce and Karen Mahoney guide you through this fascinating part of Canada's history.

And concluding the Speaker Series for fall/early winter on Sunday January 17: a new Viking discovery in Canada! Did Leif Erickson land at Bellevue, Newfoundland in the year 1000AD? Is this the famous VINLAND? Robert Burcher, a local adventurer and archaeo-mythologist, has some compelling evidence that indicates this is true. Scholars and historians have been searching for this mythical site for over 250 years and Burcher has accidentally stumbled into this saga! Come and hear an incredible story in words and multimedia, delivered by a great storyteller!

For more information on these and other Meaford Hall events (over 60 live shows per year!) follow us on Facebook , Twitter @MeafordHall, visit www.meafordhall.ca, call 1.877.538.0463 or drop by 12 Nelson St E in beautiful historic downtown Meaford.