Written by Joe Gowers – TEDxGosport’s PR and Speaker Liaison
TEDxGosport returned to GoSport Activity Centre on Saturday 5 September for a day of thought-provoking talks, personal stories and new ideas worth sharing.
Experienced TEDxGosport speakers also returned as special guests. 2025 speaker Julie Ridley offered this year’s speakers some simple advice: “Enjoy every single moment because it’s absolutely worth it.”
Her words proved fitting as 13 speakers took to the stage throughout the day, sharing ideas and personal stories around this year’s theme of Connection.
TEDxGosport Licence Holder and Curator Annelies James hosted the event, welcoming speakers and attendees throughout a programme that explored the many different ways we connect with ourselves, each other and the world around us.
From cancer, identity and nature to health, legacy, success and conflict, the talks offered a diverse range of perspectives while remaining connected by a common theme: the relationships, experiences and ideas that shape our lives.
The day opened with Anna Lundberg’s talk, The Success Scripts You Didn’t Write, challenging the audience to question the expectations and ideas of success they have inherited from others.
One audience member said: “I hadn’t thought about life in those terms before. When you think about it, it’s quite an obvious thing – we are all driven by other people’s scripts.”
The programme continued with talks exploring conflict, legacy, cancer, visibility, health, community, authenticity, nature and the influence we have on one another.
Pete Barty’s emotional personal story following his cancer diagnosis was described by audience member Simon, who travelled from Majorca to attend TEDxGosport, as “very powerful, very thought provoking”, giving him “lots to think about and take away for yourself, and to reflect on how lucky you are.”
Jennifer Channer’s empowering talk about being seen also resonated strongly with attendees. Laura Kay from Hampshire Flag Company, who sponsored the event by providing bunting, signs and stands of iconic monuments from across Gosport for the set, said: “She really resonated with me, the way she was speaking about fears and what scares people about being in front of a camera. I’m someone that doesn’t really like doing it but have to for my job… it’s been really empowering.”
Laura Gowers made the invisible world of microbes visible, while Dr Aditi Bhalla explored what it means to be a “villager” for others and the importance of showing up for those around us.
The day was also an opportunity for attendees to connect with one another. Lunch, provided by Natty’s Jerk, gave guests the opportunity to reflect on the morning’s talks and network with fellow attendees while enjoying the setting overlooking Alverstoke Creek at GoSport Activity Centre.
Laura Kay said: “The food was amazing from Natty’s”, while audience member Emily Smith praised the event experience, saying: “The location is perfect, the weather is gorgeous and the speakers have been brilliant.”
During the breaks, attendees were encouraged to work with local artist Carina Jones from Sew Tribal, who created an interactive textile installation inviting guests to reflect on what connection means to them.
She said: “Everyone has been really keen to get involved and it’s been really lovely to see people recognise my business and to talk to people all day.”
The afternoon programme continued with talks from Jodie Goodchild, Jimmy Young, Vikki Feltham, Yemi Oluseun, Beth Hunt and Andy Moss, bringing together ideas around identity, authenticity, nature, curiosity, generations, role models and the standards we accept in our lives and communities.
None of this would have been possible without the support of TEDxGosport’s sponsors. Both financial and in-kind support, helps these ideas worth sharing reach the global platform they deserve, while also putting Gosport on the international stage.
The TEDxGosport team would like to thank:
Warewolf Creative, Nettl of Fareham, GoSport Activity Centre, HW Conveyancing Searches, Hampshire Flag Company, Hampshire County Council, Alia Thomas Photography, Hampshire Cultural Trust, The Alverbank, Business South, Natty’s, Hambleside Merchandise and Lisa Talbot.
All the talks from TEDxGosport 2026 will soon be available through the TEDxGosport website and YouTube channel. Follow TEDxGosport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on the release of the talks and applications for TEDxGosport 2027.
About TED
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. TED champions curiosity, reason and wonder in the pursuit of knowledge.
What began in 1984 as a conference focused on Technology, Entertainment and Design has evolved into a global community that welcomes people across disciplines and cultures to connect and engage with ideas exploring science, business, education, art, current affairs and more. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events bring people together on every continent. TED drives global impact by sparking ideas and action on the world’s most urgent issues—accelerating climate solutions through TED Countdown, advancing self-determination through TED Democracy and supporting early stage innovators through TED Fellows.
In addition to the TED Talks curated from its conferences, TED produces podcasts, video series and educational lessons (TED-Ed) that are translated into more than 100 languages. Through The Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze billions in funding for projects that support bold solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. View a full list of TED’s programs and initiatives.