The never-before-told history of WWI's political home front, when a truce between the main parties opened up 29 parliamentary by-elections to a hotchpotch of idealists, single-issue fanatics, failing politicians and chancers.n a light-hearted but insightful review, John’s assessment of the politics of these elections is leavened by remarkable and amusing anecdotes. His cast of characters includes a man who went on to defeat Churchill; the person who obtained a reader’s ticket at the British Library for Lenin and the dog owner who defined the breed characteristics of the Airedale Terrier.

Closer to home, he covers by-elections in Tewkesbury (where local feudal power outgunned the campaigning might of Lord Northcliffe and the Daily Mail) and South Herefordshire (which saw the electoral debut of the National Farmers Union).

Presented by Yarpole Living History Group – Tuesday 24th March 2026 – 7pm Yarpole Parish Hall HR6 0BK £2 on the door, Complimentary refreshments included.