Katie Munnik, author of the Aerialists, a novel threaded round the true story of the tragic death of ‘Mademoiselle Albertina’ (a 14 year old parachutist) discusses with Nick Peacey, historian of the Spencer family of balloonists, (two of whom were at the Palace). They explore the dangers, consolations and tensions of employment in Auguste Gaudron’s parachute team based at Ally Pally in the 1890s and 1900s. Including insights from Katie into the creative process of drawing on real historical figures in fiction, and recordings of Dolly Shepherd – the most famous of them all, describing her adventures.

Age recommendation 14+ (must be accompanied by an adult over 21)