One of the more unlikely village hall talks you’re likely to encounter is taking place this month. The topic? A woman who was executed for spying, for – effectively – refusing to dob in her husband.

It marks the launch of the Book Box series at St Mary’s, Long Ditton.

Ethel Rosenburg: A Cold War Tragedy is the subject of biographer Anne Sebba’s recent book, with her talk taking place in the church hall of St Mary’s on Wed January 19 at 7.30pm.

In a tie-up with The Regency Bookshop, Victoria Road, you can get a ticket and a copy of the book at a discount.

Ethel went to the electric chair at Sing Sing jail, New York, after refusing to testify against her husband, who was also executed.

The book is, says St Mary’s curate Alison Baverstock, “a fascinating picture of a woman trapped between loyalty to her husband and love for her young sons” while the evidence for her having actually committed any offence “is distinctly shaky”.
https://www.stmaryslongditton.org.uk/events will allow you to book tickets for the talk, or save £5 by buying a book and ticket at the Regency for £20.