The Committee

6269 (L-R: Jayne Kelly, Michael Kettle, Liz Bickerstaffe, Professor Michael Scott, former Promotions Officer Peter Williamson and former General Officer Gerry Corless, Katrina Kelly, pictured in 2019).

President: Professor Michael Scott

Dr Michael Scott Portrait

Michael is Professor in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick, author of several books on ancient Greek and Roman society including Ancient Worlds, and has written and presented a range of documentaries for National Geographic, History Channel, ITV and the BBC including, most recently, Invisible Cities. He is a National Teaching Fellow, an honorary citizen of Delphi and a Trustee of Classics For All. In 2021, we won the prestigious CA Prize. We’re very proud to have such a dynamic ambassador for classics as our President, and his scholarship, approachability and sense of humour encourages people of all ages and backgrounds alike to find our more about the ancient world.

Chair: Katrina Kelly

350CB1E282987DE28B47AD3A182EC5E9

At 17, Katrina became the youngest person ever to establish a branch of the Classical Association. She was home-educated and also studied A-Levels at AKS Sixth Form. Katrina graduated with a degree in Classics from Magdalen College, Oxford where her particular interests lay in Roman urban and social history, and Greek art and tragedy. When not shamelessly persuading potential speakers to come to Lytham St Annes, she could be found on the athletics track or in training as a gymnast. Katrina is now a Research Assistant at the University of Oxford and the Engagement and Branches Co-ordinator for the national Classical Association.

Secretary: Jayne Kelly

Jayne gained a degree in Modern History and post-graduate qualifications, and then ran her own business before becoming Governor of Inveraray Jail, one of Scotland’s leading visitor attractions. Jayne has had a varied career spanning countryside management, heritage tourism, marketing, criminology, mental health and lecturing and is the author and designer of several guides and publications. She now combines working for the NHS with writing, walking, poetry and her work for the Association. Jayne really enjoys the historical aspect of the lectures and is particularly interested in outreach work – trying to make classics accessible to people of all ages.

Treasurer: Michael Kettle

Michael studied Law and then Maths, and has enjoyed teaching Maths for over twenty five years. He has also had a variety of other interesting jobs ranging from looking after Lady Penelope’s car and being a film extra to supervising young apprentices in whisky distilleries and being a fish farm nightwatchman in Argyll and the Isles. He enjoys philosophy, walking, listening to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and following the mixed fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur. He also enjoys transporting and chatting to the lecturers when they come to the area and was a member of the Association’s Latin Reading Group.

Minutes’ Secretary: Liz Bickerstaffe

13988157_559671630887885_654265256502100210_o

With a degree in Modern Languages, Liz reluctantly trained as a multilingual PA working for Siemens and Building Design Partnership. She worked in Public Relations at Glasdon, writing for trade press and popping up on Radio 1 and Channel 4 to promote a tidy Britain alongside the world’s largest litter bin! Family circumstances led her into the field of children’s disability, setting up a support group, lobbying for services, acting as a trustee of a local charity and governor at a special school. Liz now coordinates various projects run by the archive volunteers at AKS and is rekindling her interest in archaeology via the Association.

Outreach Officer: Jane Browell

As the Senior School Librarian at King Edward School and later AKS, Jane observed the birth of the Association first hand and set about enthusiastically promoting Classics to pupils via a dedicated Classical Corner accessible to all key stages. Recently semi-retired, she hopes to continue to encourage the next generation of Classicists and fuel their interest in myths and the ancient world via her Outreach work, including her promotion of our Student Bursaries, Classics Competition and Ambassador scheme.

A keen swimmer and cyclist, Jane travels regularly and is an avid attendee of exhibitions with a particular love of French Graphic Art. On lecture nights, you’ll find her at the Refreshment table serving her legendary home-baked brownies and cakes!

General Officer: Tracey Tuohy

After working for the DWP for a number of years, Tracey re-trained as a Nurse gaining a Dip (HE) in Adult Nursing in 2014 and now travels the UK working in Oncology/Haematology as a locum chemotherapy nurse.

Tracey’s interest in the Association began after attending one of Prof. Scott’s lectures about Venice, which, she was thrilled to discover, was built on tree trunks! A former competitive swimmer and judoka, Tracey’s competitive streak is seen on lecture evenings, when she and Jane (and Julia) battle it out to sell the most cakes on the refreshments stall! As one of the regular bakers and servers welcoming guests with conversation, coffee and cake, she really enjoys getting to know members and ensuring that everyone has a wonderful evening when they come to visit the branch.