Fireside Chats This Is Our Island Series III » Fireside Chat Series III: Where PLUTO Crossed the Path
Fireside Chat: Where PLUTO Crossed the Path
Saturday 14 November | The Mermaid Room An illustrated talk by Tim Wander
£22.50 per person, including a two-course supper
Doors open 18:30 | Talk begins 19:00 | Supper afterwards
A pipeline too far?
Island stories, told by people who understand the Island. Our Fireside Chats bring members and guests together in the intimate setting of the Mermaid Room for a relaxed evening, a good supper and a riveting topic—with time for questions and conversation.
This November, Tim Wander joins us to explore Operation PLUTO, the ambitious Second World War undertaking to carry fuel beneath the English Channel to Allied forces in France.
Celebrated as a triumph of British ingenuity, PLUTO was also rushed, improvised and working at the limits of what engineering could achieve. But how successful were the pipelines from the Isle of Wight—and how closely does their reputation match the reality?
In this illustrated talk, Tim examines the gap between the familiar account and the evidence, questioning what the Islands pipelines actually delivered and how their story came to be told.
Two-course supper menu
Traditional fish pie with peas or Leek spinach and white bean potato-topped pie
Warm chocolate sponge and custard
Open to all members, winter-reciprocal club members and guests of members, signed into the Visitors Book.