Dr Frances Wood (Curator of the Chinese Collections at the British Library) spoke to all three branches of the Williams Project about China today, the speed of change, and how the legacy of the first emperor still lingers. Using photographs from her own time as a student in China during the Cultural Revolution, as well as pictures of ancient manuscripts, she spoke volubly and impeccably (and fast) across a huge range of topics, fielding a large number of perceptive questions from the curious. Many of Chigwell’s Chinese students, and friends from Kingsford Community College (for whom Frances was a bit of a celebrity), were there. The discussions continued long afterwards at Sandon Lodge.