Surrey in the time of Jane Austen & artist JMW Turner by Cathy Brett

The Walton & District Local History Society warmly invites you to a talk by Cathy Brett on

Wednesday 18 February 2026

Good Shepherd Church Hall

Station Approach Road, Tadworth, KT20 5AH

Doors open at 7.30 pm

Cathy will be speaking on “Surrey in the time of Jane Austen & artist JMW Turner”, bringing the period vividly to life through images, stories, and place.

Cathy Brett is a visual storyteller, illustrator, educator, and museum curator, best known locally for her time as curator at Leatherhead Museum, where she led a notably creative and engaging chapter in the museum’s history. Originally trained in art and design, Cathy’s career has spanned fashion, publishing, illustration, and children’s books, alongside decades of international travel and freelance creative work.

She is the author and illustrator of several books and has lectured at UCA Epsom, where she also completed an MA. In recent years, Cathy has focused on collaborative heritage and conservation projects, working with local groups to create exhibitions, events, and visual storytelling that connect people with history in fresh and imaginative ways. Cathy has delivered talks for the National Trust and has been behind the organisation of the Jane Austen annual Box Hill picnic.

This promises to be a fascinating and visually rich evening, offering new perspectives on Surrey during Jane Austen’s and Turner’s lifetimes.

We look forward to welcoming you.

With best wishes,

The Walton & District Local History Society