The first speaker of the year was Dr Sohail Husain who presented the results of a six-year research project into the lives of his parents and grandparents that culminated in publication of his epic memoir, Beyond Beliefs. To a packed Crosfield Hall, Sohail talked about his journey of discovery that revealed the extraordinary story of his German Jewish mother and Indian Muslim father, and how their own and their parents’ lives were impacted by momentous events of the 20th century, most notably the Partition of India and the Holocaust.

As he said this is an unbelievable tale that spans continents and cultures, exposing the horrific consequences of war and violent extremism, and the struggles faced by refugees and immigrants. But it is also a testament to how love and the indomitable human spirit can overcome tragedy and adversity.

The talk concentrated on one side of the family, hopefully next year, Sohail will revisit us and present the other half of his amazing family history.