Summer Lecture 2026: A Banbury MP’s Story

A Banbury MP’s Story, my perspective on five decades in Westminster.

Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry DL, Patron of Banbury Museum & Gallery

A summer lecture presented by Banbury Museum & Gallery and Rotary Club Banbury Cherwell, at Broughton Castle

Thursday 16th July 2026
Grounds Open 5pm, bring a picnic and enjoy the gardens
Lecture: Great Hall 7pm

Broughton Castle’s Great Hall, has been the setting for a programme of lectures that have told stories of great national and local significance; the Magna Carta; the escape of Charles II, Colditz and the archaeology of Broughton Castle.

This year the context is 20th century political history. Sir Tony Baldry, MP for Banbury from 1983 to 2015, will tell for the first time, his experiences in Westminister, or in his own words, ‘Prime Ministers I have known, how we joined and left Europe’.

Sir Tony began his parliamentary career in 1974 as Research Assistant to Maurice Macmillan. Having known and worked alongside figures including Ted Heath, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnston; Sir Tony will share his insights on a tumultuous period of our history that remains as contentious today, as it was in 1945.

Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry DL

Sir Tony is High Steward for Banbury. He was knighted in the 2012 Birthday Honours for public and political service, and from 2016 until 2025 was Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire.
In 2016, he was awarded the Langton Award for Community Service by the Archbishop of Canterbury “for his community service, especially as an advocate for the continuing contribution of parish churches to the common good”.

Broughton Castle

An iconic venue in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, Broughton Castle is a beautifully preserved moated manor house dating back to the 14th century. Once associated with the political upheavals of the 17th century, when its owner William Fiennes opposed Charles I during the Civil War, the castle has long been linked to moments of national significance. Still home to the Fiennes family today, it offers a unique and atmospheric setting for this summer lecture.

This event is to fundraise for Banbury Museum & Gallery (charity no 1153109) and Rotary Club Banbury Cherwell (charity no 1127136 ) The Trustees of Banbury Museum & Gallery and Rotary Club Banbury Cherwell wish to thank Broughton Castle who have made this event possible.

Important Information

Parking is available at Broughton Castle, and the grounds open at 5pm.
There will be a bar for wine and soft drinks but you are welcome to picnic in the grounds before the event.

The talk will be given in the Great Hall at 7pm, with access from 6.45pm. The Castle interiors will not be open to guests, only the Great Hall from 6.45pm. Broughton Castle will close at 8.45pm and the Car Park at 9.00pm.

We ask you to respect that Broughton Castle is both private home and historic monument. Camping chairs and the like are welcome but please do not bring gazebo’s or anything that may harm the grounds and ensure all picnic litter goes home with you.

There are toilet facilities in the Castle Car Park but not inside the Castle.

The Great Hall is wheelchair accessible but if you have any other accessibilities needs, please get in contact with the team and we will be able to advise.

Email enquiries@banburymuseum.org or call 01295 236165 additional help or assistance.