A village hall will launch its new events programme with a talk on the infamous highway man Dick Turpin.

On Saturday, April 1, Stephen Poulter will give an entertaining and informative talk at Needham Village Hall contrasting the myth of the gentleman highwayman with the true story of the notorious robber, who was hanged in 1739.

Over the last 150 years the legend of Dick Turpin, whose villainous activities brought him as far as Bungay in Suffolk, have become the stuff of legend.

Mr Poulter - a Needham resident and an experienced public speaker - will sort fact from fiction, explaining how many of the exploits attributed to Dick Turpin were actually committed by other highway robbers.

The talk begins at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and include a free first drink from the licensed bar.

For more information, contact stephenjp@talktalk.net