Public Speaker
Ginny is on the approved list of speakers for the following WI Federations: Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Tyne and Wear South, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. She regularly speaks to Probus clubs, U3A, community groups and luncheon clubs. In 2020 she was guest speaker at the National Women’s Register Midland Region Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Ginny’s talks are entertaining and informative. She is firmly of the opinion that a good speaker is the making of a talk. For details of individual talks see below. All talks can be presented either in person or via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
For live presentations Ginny will bring her own projector, screen laptop and, if necessary, microphone.
"The Mysterious Death of Amy Robsart"
Amy Robsart was married to Robert Dudley, son of the Duke of Northumberland. Robert Dudley engaged in a notorious relationship – never proved but often suspected of being sexual – with Queen Elizabeth I. At the age of 28, Amy was found dead at the foot of a short flight of stairs, her neck broken. Rumours abounded that Robert Dudley had arranged her death in order to free himself to marry the Queen. Amy’s death has never been explained to general satisfaction. Did she fall? Did she commit suicide? Did Robert Dudley arrange her death? Did someone else? The talk investigates evidence available at the time of Amy’s death and found subsequently and poses the question for audiences to consider – how did Amy die?
Duration approximately one hour.
Image: The Death of Amy Robsart by William Frederick Yeames
"Mad Englishwoman, Three Dogs and the Midday Sun"
In 2012 Ginny had a life-changing encounter with three dogs on the Greek island of Crete. This informative and entertaining talk presented with projected images describes how the meeting came about, what happened next and what happened after that. This is not just a “I rescued a dog story” although that did happen. A talk which includes interesting facts about dogs, their history and how they have gained the status they now hold in modern civilised society which is designed to inform and entertain not only dog lovers.
Duration approximately one hour.
“TO THE FRINGE AND BEYOND”
An inspirational talk tailor made to suit each audience. Ginny will come to your meeting and talk informally about changing career from being a barrister to a full-time writer and performer and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. The talk is illustrated with live performance of scenes from plays which she has toured professionally and includes a brief history of barristers’ court dress.
Duration approximately one hour.
“Really interesting and motivating – a talk with a message.”
“Good content, good flow, entertaining and interesting.”
“Excellent speaker, amusing, entertaining.”
“Very clear voice – excellent communicator. Really impressive.”
Northants WI Fed speaker audition feedback
“We were intrigued, mesmerised and highly entertained.”
“We all went home happy and
“Ginny Davis’s talk totally captivated her audience. Her performance was really inspirational and funny and provided an excellent pick-me-up on a wet and dreary January evening.”
"FROM THE PILLORY TO THE PRISON CELL"
An illustrated talk charting the history and development of judicial sentencing from the 16th to the 20th century. Time was when coin clippers were traitors sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered and scolds were sentenced to the ducking stool. Much has changed, apart from one thing. Crime doesn’t pay.
Duration approximately one hour.
“Not only educational but a memorable and thought-provoking evening’s entertainment. Very enjoyable.”
“Really interesting”
“Fascinating”
“Everyone in the audience said afterwards how much they had enjoyed the presentation both in content and presentation.”
“WHAT LIES BENEATH THE SURFACE”
An entertaining, thought-provoking and informative talk suitable for groups of all ages.
What is a High Court Judge? What does (s)he do? Where does (s)he come from? How does (s)he differ a from Crown Court Judge? Where does (s)work? Why does (s)he need judges’ lodgings?
Answers given in “What Lies Beneath The Surface”.
In the interests of justice lawyers depend upon truth telling. Witnesses swear to tell the truth, the whole truth” etc. But how easy is it? Should it always be told? Really?
Answers suggested in “What Lies Beneath the Surface.”
Barristers and actors. Are they similar?
Answers given in “What Lies Beneath the Surface.”
As an actress and former barrister, married to a High Court Judge, Ginny draws on personal experience to inform and entertain audience with facts that form the background of her novel “What Lies Beneath The Surface.” Read more about the novel HERE.
Ginny gives an adapted version of this talk to book club groups who have read the novel. She is happy to attend the meeting either in person or via Zoom to give background information and answer questions on characters, location, themes and her research and writing processes.
“Many thanks for joining us last night, and for sharing so much about the process and the research involved in writing the book . It was really interesting – a book club we will all remember.”
I am often asked to perform for charitable and fund-raising organisations. Always I am delighted to accept in the hope of helping to raise funds for good and worthwhile causes. I am pleased that organisations are able to raise substantial sums of money from events at which I perform, largely thanks to the efforts of their local supporters.
When I perform for a charitable or fund-raising cause I keep my costs to a minimum and quote a reduced overall fee. However, I always have to bear in mind that I am running a business and am not able to perform free of charge.
In the past I have supported Enya’s Help for Histo, Friends of Amasango School, Playbox Theatre, St Peter’s Church, Wellesbourne, Friends of Welcombe Hills School and Duchenne UK.
I would be very grateful if charitable and fund raising organisations did not ask me to support them with a full fee waiver. My choice of charity(ies) to support in this way are made at an entirely personal level and on the assumption that every charity with whom I come into contact needs to raise as much money as possible. I am not able to do it very often and I usually make decisions about which charity(ies) to support in this way well in advance. My heart wants me to support every single one. My accountant tells me that I cannot.