Talks Programme for 2013 our 10th Anniversary

Our monthly meetings usually take the form of a talk lasting about an hour followed by tea & coffee, then the slightly more formal business of the group, quizzes and other activities.  They start at 7pm and finish about 9pm. You will notice this year that a number of talks do not start at the beginning of the meeting but guests are welcome to come along for the normal starting time of 7pm if they so wish.

30th January 7.30 to 8.30 pm

History of Wanborough
Brian Clarke

Brian takes you through the history of this Wiltshire village.

27th February

Flying is not a game for Women
Peter Donovan

An appreciation of the Ladies of the Air Transport Auxiliary, during W.W.2.  The ATA was a civilian organisation, employed to collect and deliver aircraft from manufacturers to maintenance units and to squadrons.  The women were at first, only allowed to deliver the Tiger Moth, but eventually they flew everything the men flew, except for flying boats, and that was not due to lack of ability.”

27th March

History of Swindon Old Town
Cilla Slipper

Be a tourist in your own town. Explore the hidden haunts, nooks & crannies of Old Town, Swindon whilst reliving the past and experiencing the present with our very own Blue Badge Guide Cilla Slipper.

24th April

Life in the East End
Martin Collisson

Martin’s Grandfather (Henry Charles Collisson) lived all his life in the East End of London and, apart from a short spell at sea, was a fancy box maker until he was 80. He had a colourful life during a period of major social change. This talk explores the social aspects of life in the East End of London.

29th May

Deacons – A Family Jewelry Business
Richard Deacon

History of Deacons from 1848 until the present day.

26th June

The Controversy of the Dresden bombing
David Sweet

You may be  aware the bombing of Dresden was the most discussed raid of WW2. David’s talk explores the reasons and also the negatives of the raid. He does not give a firm opinion but leave this to the viewer to decide . The talk finishes with a short film which highlights the whole operation.

31st July 8 to 9 pm

The Manor Reborn
Christopher Penny

Christopher who is a National Trust Ranger at Avebury recalls his experiences assisting the BBC to film their programme recording the restoration of Avebury Manor.

28th August

Iron Age Britain – War like in Character (800 -100BC)
Bob Clarke

Bob looks at the Iron Age across the region, suggesting that agriculture and trade were as much in evidence as any war-like tendencies that are suggested today. Lots of aerial photos of local sites, digs etc.

25th September

A Wiltshire Journey
Neil Lover

You accompany Neil on a journey around Wiltshire taking in it’s Breweries and White Horses

30th October

The early Olympics
Bob Townsend

Bob’s talk, which is predominantly about Athletics, takes you from the  Ancient Games first recorded in 776 BC to the  founders of the Modern Olympics then finally to the Athens Olympics in 2004. His family involvement as well as other Swindononians is illustrated as well as the history of the Olympic torch relay.

27th November

The Empire Theatre
Roger Trayhurn

Roger’s illustrated talk shows the highlights of the new book , All for the Empire: the history of Swindon’s historic theatre, by Roger Trayhurn and Mark Child. This well-illustrated book is a detailed account of the theatre from its planning stages in 1896 until its closure and subsequent demolition in 1959, and places the Empire within its context in Swindon’s history. It is based on detailed research of the local newspapers and other resources, interviews with those who worked, played or have other memories of the Empire and from the author’s own collection of programmes and other memorabilia. Copies of the book will be on sale at the meeting.

Admission

Members £1 : Guests £2
(Includes refreshments)
at Even Swindon Community Centre, Jennings Street. Click here for map.

Contact

Gordon Shaw – Secretary
For further information phone 01793 616558  or email  secretary@rodbournehistory.org