The 2nd September 2026 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Howard. To mark the occasion, a series of celebratory events will be taking place at Basement@Bunyan with a talk and panel discussion from 2-3.30pm.
The Friends of John Bunyan Museum & Library invite you to a talk and discussion by David Spademan which will explore links between John Howard and contemporary issues. It will take place on September 2nd 2026 at 2pm, followed by a panel discussion. There will be an opportunity to visit the Summer Exhibition on John Howard at the same venue, from 11am, and a guided visit to local Howard sites at 3.30-4pm. Cost £10, payable on the door (£5 members of Friends).
David has been prison chaplain since April 2002. In April 2014, he was promoted to managing chaplain and leads a multi faith chaplaincy team in a public sector prison. He is passionate about chaplaincy which he describes as the greatest ministry this side of heaven. He is an ordained minister with Assemblies of God GB where he has helped to develop and champion chaplaincy in AoG GB. He holds an MTh in Practical Theology. Since its formation in 2001, David has served on the Steering Group for Free Church Prison Chaplaincy within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. He is a former Director of The Free Churches Group and was a founding trustee of The Welcome Directory, which encourages faith communities to welcome prison leavers.
The schedule for the day is as follows (come to as much or little as you wish):
From 11am
Opportunity to visit the Exhibition on John Howard (FREE, no booking needed). The Exhibition is located in the Basement@Bunyan.
From 12.30pm
Pre-ordered sandwich lunches available
(£2.50 pay on arrival, please order by Wednesday 26th August from [email protected]: tuna mayo, cheese & pickle, ham & mustard, sandwich plus salad garnish)
1.30pm
Join our Wednesday Lunchtime Service (FREE, no booking needed)
20 minutes reflection and music, on the life of John Howard
2-3.30 pm
Talk and Panel Discussion:
John Howard – Radical Prison Reformer: his enduring call to action
Talk by David Spademan, MTh, Managing Prison Chaplain, and Founder
Member of the Steering Group for Free Church Prison Chaplaincy within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
Panel Discussion including people with hands on experience in prison work
The Talk and Discussion take place in the Basement@Bunyan
Cost: £10 (£5 for members of the Friends), payable on arrival
3.30pm
Tea and Cake (donations welcome)
Optional Guided Visit to local John Howard sites (donations welcome, walk is fully accessible)
4pm – End
More details of the day are available on the Friends of John Bunyan Museum website.