Ancient Rome

**The Common Cold: 30,000 Years of the Sniffles** Dr David Miles Everybody knows what a cold feels like: miserable. The first cold virus was detected in a milk tooth shed over 30,000 years ago and ever since, the common cold has been a bane. Yet while sore throats and blocked noses are annoyingly familiar, the processes that lead to them are not widely known and often misunderstood. Processes like the misdirected immune response that makes us ill with a cold instead of protecting us from illness. Like the way heating a building enhances cold virus transmission. Like the way that most cold viruses can only exist at all thanks to the society we’ve built over the last few millennia. And, most importantly, what we can do about them. David Miles is an infectious disease immunologist who spent ten years researching immunity to infections and the vaccinations that protect against them in various parts of Africa. He now lives in London and teaches on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s online postgraduate course. His first popular science book, How Vaccines Work, was published in March 2023 and his second, Sneeze: The History and Science of the Common Cold, will be published in March 2026.

We're hosting our regular peer support group for lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer and questioning women. We look forward to welcoming you if you can make it. Our attendees are a diverse mix of women and are friendly, non-judgmental and inclusive of new people. During the session we talk over topics by sharing our own experience. We cover any topics our attendees would like to raise (we write them down anonymously at the start of the session) they might be things like "how do I find queer friends?" , "managing the holiday season with an unsupportive family", "coming out at work", "bi invisibility" , "internalised homophobia" , "lgbt book recommendations?", "any dating app recommendations?". The session is facilitated by volunteers from the charity London Friend. Our group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 7pm to 9pm. We're aware it can sometimes be intimidating to join a group like this for the first time, so please reach out to our friendly volunteers if you'd like more information. We can be contacted via Meetup or by emailing changes@londonfriend.org.uk. If you'd like to join and listen without participating further that's ok too. MeetUp is one of the many platforms where people can find this event, and so the number of meetup RSVP's doesn't match the actual number of attendees. If you'd like to join without RSVPing on Meetup you can simply turn up 7pm at the London Friend location.

🗓 Every Monday! ⏰ 8:30pm (1 hour) 💃🏻 All levels 📍Location: Pineapple Dance studios, 7 Langley St, London WC2H 9JA YOU MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE ( CLASSES ARE NOT FREE ) ➡️Book here: https://www.pineapple.uk.com/pages/timetable Let out your inner belly dance goddess in Leilah’s fun and uplifting classes! Learn the ancient art of belly dance from posture to mesmerising shimmies and figures 8’s. Every week we will go through a new choreography as well as learning new exciting moves. We will often cover different styles of belly dance in each class, such as oriental, shaabi, Moroccan and more. Classes are for all levels! Don’t worry if you don’t get all the moves the first time, the more classes you attend the more moves you will start to understand. Belly dance is a celebration of the body, the curves, and the isolations so enjoy the journey! #hipsDontLie

A Rabble session is 1 hour of fun and social team games. Each game disguises high-intensity intervals within the rules, giving you an effective, all-body workout without even realising it. We play a bunch of different games at each session (like British Bulldog, Capture the Flag, Dodgeball, Frisbee and many more), and every class is different. Sessions are open to all, no matter your sporting ability. Each game is explained before we start, so there's no need to have played any of the games before. Come solo or bring friends! And stay at the end for the social part! Who knew getting fit could be this fun? **HOW TO BOOK**: **It's essential that you book onto sessions via our website, using the link below**; due to restrictions on games and preparation times we cannot accept walk-ins, or late arrivals. [https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/](https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/) Use the code **FREEPLAY** to get your first game free! *** We play every: * Monday in Finsbury Park (19:00 - 20:00) * Tuesday in Shoreditch Park (19:00 - 20:00) * Wednesdays in Elephant & Castle (19:00-20:00) * Saturday in Southwark Park (10:30 - 11:30) * Saturday in Finsbury Park (11:00 - 12:00) * Sunday in Clapham Common (12:00 - 13:00) We hope to see you playing soon! PS. We have a group of dedicated regulars, so numbers are usually much higher than meetup might suggest. Sign up at: [https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/](https://joinrabble.com/locations/london/) **Love Rabble**

This is a mixed ability night, however this is not a beginners session. We do ask that players joining us are at least of a lower intermediate level. This means that we’d expect you to: * Have the ability to execute and receive all badminton shots with some control; * have an understanding of the rules of badminton and scoring and; * (at least) some rudimentary use of tactics. This is to ensure there are good competitive games for all members. We play in the first floor sports hall and the session will be £10 payable by card on the night (no cash).

Please note registration opened just this week (11/5), please register for your QR code as soon as you can. Attendance fee of £3 for the running of the group (Meetup site costs). "In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum that reshaped British politics, society, and the economy in profound and lasting ways. **Ten years on, this event brings together leading voices** from politics, journalism, and academia to reflect on how Brexit has transformed political identities, party competition, public trust, and Britain’s place in the world. The panel will consider what has changed since the referendum, what has endured, and **how Brexit continues to shape debates** over democracy, sovereignty, and the UK’s relationship with Europe and the wider global order." The LSE offer lectures that are open to the public (attendance fee applies) on a variety of subjects. Let's meet outside Holborn tube station, just to the left of the main entrance on Kingsway. We will walk down together at 6.10pm on the dot. Please be on time, the venue can be at capacity at 6.15pm! Please register for your free entrance ticket (Meetup attendance fee applies), they are asking a couple of questions: https://www.lse.ac.uk/events/brexit-and-britain We can go for a drink afterwards.

Following our critically acclaimed productions of OTHELLO, MACBETH and TWELFTH NIGHT the Acting gymnasium's Saturday workshop returns to Theatre Deli on Saturday 28th March with a new imagining of Shakepeare's CORIOLANUS. Plenty of superb roles available!! WE WILL PERFORM THE SHOW FROM 6TH-11TH JULY AT NETWORK THEATRE WATERLOO. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, Coriolanus, a fierce and proud Roman general, earns fame after defeating Rome’s enemies, especially at Corioli. Despite his military success, he despises the common people and refuses to flatter them for political gain. Urged to seek public office, his arrogance alienates citizens, leading to his banishment. In anger, he allies with his former enemy Aufidius and marches against Rome. As destruction looms, his mother, Volumnia, pleads with him to spare the city. Moved by her words, he relents, choosing honor over revenge. His decision saves Rome but seals his fate, as he is killed for betraying his allies in return. [Email:actinggymnasium@gmail.com](mailto:Email%3Aactinggymnasium@gmail.com) \- if you'd like to get involved\.

Following our critically acclaimed productions of OTHELLO, MACBETH and TWELFTH NIGHT the Acting gymnasium's Saturday workshop returns to Theatre Deli on Saturday 28th March with a new imagining of Shakepeare's CORIOLANUS. Plenty of superb roles available!! WE WILL PERFORM THE SHOW FROM 6TH-11TH JULY AT NETWORK THEATRE WATERLOO. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, Coriolanus, a fierce and proud Roman general, earns fame after defeating Rome’s enemies, especially at Corioli. Despite his military success, he despises the common people and refuses to flatter them for political gain. Urged to seek public office, his arrogance alienates citizens, leading to his banishment. In anger, he allies with his former enemy Aufidius and marches against Rome. As destruction looms, his mother, Volumnia, pleads with him to spare the city. Moved by her words, he relents, choosing honor over revenge. His decision saves Rome but seals his fate, as he is killed for betraying his allies in return. [[Email:actinggymnasium@gmail.com](http://Email:actinggymnasium@gmail.com/)]

Please join us for: “An uproarious comedy of English embarrassment delivers outrageous fun with meticulous bourgeois manners and spiralling hysteria. Echoing the darker tones of Ayckbourn, it blends sitcom-style confrontations with physical comedy, sharp dialogue, and a richly engaging family dynamic. Expect chaos, charm, and plenty of laughs throughout”. I have tickets J5 and J6 for myself. Book online £17 each and meet us in the bar for a drink before the show. Look forward to seeing you.

Fancy a fun social **archaeological** adventure into the **Egyptian** temple? An expedition venturing into history, myth, and discovery at the Museum’s Egyptian galleries. We'll step into a world of monumental statues, hieroglyphs, and sarcophagi so **extraordinary** that even the most famous archaeologist of them all **-** Indiana Jones himself - might hesitate to enter! But no need for Indi - we'll become direct **raiders of knowledge**, uncovering the secrets of Egypt’s most extraordinary artifacts — no Lucas props, just authentic treasures that have captivated explorers, scholars, and adventurers for centuries. Yep - for thousands of years, Ancient Egypt bestowed extraordinary knowledge and innovation on the world - easily giving the big greek philosophers a run for their money! From **mathematics** to building those monumental structures and advanced **astronomy** to create calendars, they practiced **medicine** and mummification with remarkable skill. Their wisdom, traditions and emphasis on cosmic order influenced civilizations far beyond the Nile, leaving a legacy that still shapes how we understand science, culture, and history today We'll step into the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery and encounter monumental statues of pharaohs, sarcophagi, and hieroglyph‑covered stelae. Texts will help guide us through their hidden stories — from the Rosetta Stone to colossal busts of Ramesses II — revealing the real history behind treasures that could easily rival Dr Jones’s greatest finds. 🗝️ Lost Treasures Trail Following a themed trail through the galleries, we'll piece together clues among mummies, tomb goods, and temple carvings. Inspired by Indy’s relic hunts, this puzzle challenge is grounded in authentic archaeology, encouraging you to see the magnificent collections with your own eyes 🎩 Explorer’s Flair And to infuse some lighthearted fun into the journey - *Indiana Jones* style fedora hats and satchels are welcome! Feel free to strike a pose beside towering statues or ancient sarcophagi for **photo opportunities** blending cinematic fun with the awe of Egyptian relics. Impersonations of Indy welcome too - if yours is better than mine I buy you a drink! ☕🥂🍻 After we survive the ancient curses and colossal statues with our discoveries intact, we’ll continue the expedition at a nearby pub — a chance to debrief like real archaeologists, swap theories, compare clues, and enjoy a well‑earned drink getting to know your fellow explorers Lucas Stone Unmummified

Come along on Saturday 13th June to visit the historic city of St. Albans! **About St. Albans** St. Albans sits 22 miles north of London along the old Roman road of Watling Street. The Romans named it Verulamium. It was the second-largest town in Roman Britain and one of the most important. It was later destroyed in the Iceni revolt led by Boudica in AD 60/61 (along with London & the then capital Colchester) and rebuilt after. In medieval times, the town grew up on the hill to the east of the former Roman settlement around the Benedictine foundation of St. Albans Abbey. The abbey church was built where Alban (later St. Alban) was executed by the Romans in the 4th century. Alban, became the first British Christian martyr. Today, the 'Cathedral and Abbey Church of St. Alban' is 84 metres (276 ft) long, with much of its present architecture dating from Norman times, it became a cathedral in 1877 and is the second longest cathedral in the United Kingdom (after Winchester). Basically St. Albans is three cities in one, the Roman one in the park, the medieval one around the abbey and the modern one around the train station. I live in St. Albans and know it very well, so I'll be your guide for the day. I will show you the medieval and Roman parts of the city, plus tell you about Alban. **Aprox Itinerary** 9:46am - catch train 10:09am - arrive at ‘St. Albans City’ station and exit via platform 1 and walk into the city centre 10:30am - start the guided tour around the city 12:45pm - stop for lunch - bring your own food, eat in a local café, a pub or the Saturday market has lots of food stalls 2:00pm - guided tour of the cathedral 3:00pm - continue the tour of the town, visiting the Roman town remains and the Roman Mosaic Hypocaust 4:30pm - freetime: lots of nice shops here, head back to the station or visit one of the many old pubs in St. Albans (The White Hart is one of the oldest, dating from 1470) **Train tickets** Trains going back at: 4:07pm, 4:27pm, 4:37pm, 4:57am and the same times past each hour. Some trains are fast and some are stopping. A fast train takes 21mins and a stopping train takes 35mins. GroupSave train tickets (3for2) which we will purchase on the day when you arrive in groups of 3 work out at £8.40 each. **Cost** The tour of St. Albans is free for Full Members and £7 per person for everyone else (payable by cash or credit card on the day). The tour of the cathedral is £10 per person (payable on the day by cash or credit card). Visiting the Roman Hypocaust is free. You can decide to do all three, just one or your own thing. **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809\, Account name: Cultureseekers) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- go to PayPal \- [https://www.paypal.com/uk/](https://www.paypal.com/uk/), then click on 'Pay & Get Paid‘, then click on 'Send Money’, put in the email address: [general@cultureseekers.org](mailto:general@cultureseekers.org) in the 'Send Money' box, then 'Next' and then enter the amount to pay. Click 'Next', then 'Goods & Services', then 'For Friends & Family', then 'Continue' Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/) Please note, we only wait at the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time before boarding, so please be early or on time. If you can't see us at the station, please text. Look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) ***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** ***Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -*** ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

**This event is supported by The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s [Local Partners Programme](https://royalinstitutephilosophy.org/news/fund-your-event/).** **N.B. this meeting will be held in person in the Prince of Wales pub near Covent Garden. There is also an online session held on Thursday if you are not in London or are not able to attend in-person.** Halfway through our thematic 'Quest' year, we are going back farther than we've ever been to one of the oldest surviving stories, one of the foundations of Western, and now global literature. Homer's Odyssey is the tale of Odysseus' homecoming to Ithaca after defeating the Trojans - his temptations, battles, failures and victories, all interwoven with his wife Penelope's resolve to fend off suitors, and his son Telemachus' search for news of his father. Expect discussions of duty, justice, temptation and different forms of power and leadership. The meeting starts at 7pm with drink breaks at 8 and 9. The discussion will end around 10pm, but leave whenever you need to. Here's the blurb from goodreads.com: If the *Iliad* is the world's greatest war epic, then the *Odyssey* is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey though life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces, during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance.

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Welcome to the Women’s Columbus Bogleheads® Sub-Group** This sub-group is for **women who want to learn and discuss finances in a safe, supportive space**. For those interested in moving towards financial independence and retirement by learning investment basics, choosing your 401(k) investments, minimizing taxes, and more. We’re a local chapter of **Bogleheads®**, following a long-term, practical investment philosophy: [Investment Philosophy](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy): https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy [Bogleheads Forum](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php): https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php No question is too small, and no experience is too simple. Share, ask, and learn — at your own pace, without judgment, in a group of like-minded women. Let’s build confidence and knowledge **together**!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

### **June Necromancer’s Awakening \| Free Undead Mini Event** Step into the grave this June with Necromancer’s Awakening at The Arcane Foundry. Join us for a paint and sip experience where you’ll receive a free undead miniature and explore the dark forces of necromancy in Warhammer Fantasy and The Old World. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned painter, this event invites you to raise something from the dead and make it your own. Learn techniques for painting bone, decay, ghostly effects, and weathered armor while diving into the lore and battlefield role of undead factions. From shambling skeletons to cursed revenants, you’ll bring a lifeless model to unholy existence. All supplies are provided, space is limited, and the dead are waiting to rise.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you were quoted in *Truth in Comedy*, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**! The idea behind improvised comedy is to create entire scenes from scratch. A suggestion is taken from the audience and laughter is built on the spot. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway, Make Some Noise,* or *Wild 'n Out*; it can also be done in a longer way, to tell a complicated story, like *TJ & Dave*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and FREE!) weekly comedy event, brings the games for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Afterward, many members will hang out in *Gresso's* itself and get to know each other. Not only is this a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, your public speaking, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and build relationships that will last a lifetime, and you do that while laughing your butt off! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "*Yes, And*" that you'll have a blast!

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Crimson Cup Coffee Shop - Clintonville](https://www.crimsoncup.com/about/location/clintonville)!