A FLAVOUR of life in Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution and the struggles of one family's escape to this country will be the subject of a "rare and remarkable" talk next month.

Natasha Guttmann's recollections of her parents having to flee their homeland in 1917, and the challenges of adapting to a strange land with little money or grasp of the English language, will launch a season of talks at Huntington in support of the village church.

Jane Moyle, on behalf of the Friends of St Thomas a Becket, said: "This rare and remarkable talk will likely remain in our memories for a very long time and should not be missed."

Mrs Guttman and her husband, Werner have lived in Huntington for 45 years, and her talk entitled 'My Anglo-Russian Family' on April 22 will be the first event of the year for Huntington church's 2017 fundraising drive.

Her British great-grandparents arrived in Russia in 1840, helping to build its early structure as engineers and insurance brokers.

Her illustrated talk will cover her forbears' comfortable lives, inter-marriage and integration into Russian life.

But with the revolution, her parents were among many forced to flee, and she will describe their arrival in England with just the clothes they stood up in.

Adding to the flavour of the evening there will be wine and Russian canapés - zakuski.

The list of speakers at Huntington continues throughout the year, including former Clerk of the House of Commons, Lord Lisvane on May 20, whose career was launched when Edward Heath was Prime Minister and who retired during David Cameron's administration.

Well-known harpist Jemima Phillips performs in a midsummer concert on June 17, and author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Deborah Moggach will discuss her 'Adventures in the Screen Trade' on September 17.

For more information and on line tickets go to www.huntingtonchurch.co.uk or telephone Fiona Shone on 01544 370391.