Oswestry School is to launch a new annual lecture series celebrating extraordinary stories of military history, adventure and exploration, with its inaugural event taking place at the School’s new Grove Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday 13 October.
The Burnaby Lecture Series takes its name from Colonel Frederick Burnaby, a former pupil of Oswestry School and one of the most remarkable figures in the School’s history.
An adventurer, soldier and author, Burnaby travelled extensively during the 19th century and became renowned for his extraordinary exploits, including his famous journey on horseback across Central Asia. His spirit of adventure, curiosity and discovery provides the inspiration for the new annual series.
The inaugural lecture, Courage Under Fire: The Battle of Rorke’s Drift, will be delivered by acclaimed South African historian and storyteller Rob Caskie, whose compelling presentations have brought some of history’s most extraordinary stories to audiences around the world.
Taking place on Tuesday 13 October 2026 from 7.15pm to 8.45pm, the lecture will explore the famous Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War. Rob Caskie’s first-hand knowledge of the battlefield, combined with his renowned storytelling style, promises an engaging evening exploring courage, history and extraordinary human endeavour.
The event will be held in The Grove Performing Arts Centre, Oswestry School’s newly opened £1.5 million performing arts centre and theatre, providing a fitting new home for the lecture series.
The Burnaby Lecture Series will bring distinguished speakers to Oswestry each year, exploring stories connected to military history, adventure and exploration, while providing opportunities for the wider community to hear from experts and storytellers with a passion for their subjects.
Thanks to the generous support of BeaverFit, ticket prices for the inaugural lecture have been subsidised to make the event accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
Tickets are £15, with £10 concessions.
The inaugural Burnaby Lecture: Courage Under Fire: The Battle of Rorke’s Drift
Tuesday 13 October 2026
7.15pm – 8.45pm
The Grove Performing Arts Centre, Oswestry School
Tickets can be booked via www.trybooking.com/uk/event/119135
Rob Caskie.
