April 2020
The Russian Revolution
Jeremy Kemble’s talk covers Russian history from Peter the Great, through the two revolutions in 1917, to the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the assumption of power by the Bolsheviks led by Lenin. The revised talk does not go into any of the consequent effects of the revolution. Admission: Members £1 Guests 2 PLEASE NOTE: THIS TALK HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL NEXT YEAR DUE TO THE COVID-19 REGULATIONS
Find out more »May 2020
GWR Factory Tour
Our popular free walking tour of the surviving buildings of the ex-GWR Works takes up to two hours. The tour focuses on the listed Joseph Armstrong buildings of the Designer Outlet but also refers to others on the old factory site, including STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, The Managers Office, the Chain Test shop and the ex-drawing and administrative offices that are now Historic England’s Archive and English Heritage’s offices. We include anecdotes from Rodbournite and ex-GWR…
Find out more »GWR Factory Tour
Our popular free walking tour of the surviving buildings of the ex-GWR Works takes up to two hours. The tour focuses on the listed Joseph Armstrong buildings of the Designer Outlet but also refers to others on the old factory site, including STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, The Managers Office, the Chain Test shop and the ex-drawing and administrative offices that are now Historic England’s Archive and English Heritage’s offices. We include anecdotes from Rodbournite and ex-GWR…
Find out more »Last Orders – A Look at 120 Pubs and Ale Houses in Swindon since 1700
John Snooke will talk about his mammoth research project, which, after 4 years work, is now incorporated in a book covering more than 400 pages and with around 800 illustrations. John will be selling copies of his book after the talk. Where history has been available, this has been meticulously followed. There is also an exhaustive analysis of each of the breweries which supported the pubs now disappeared, all of which themselves are now but a page in history. There…
Find out more »June 2020
Revolting Marlborough – Episodes from the Town’s Turbulent Past
Nick Baxter tells us that the image of the town having a quiet history hides its radical past. Just how revolting was Marlborough? This talk explores the themes of Medieval Mayhem, Tudor Ruffians, 17th Century Crisis, and the Reform Bill Riots of 1831 when the town's MPs were burnt in effigy by an angry crowd. Admission: Members £1 Guests £2
Find out more »July 2020
GWR Factory Tour
Our popular free walking tour of the surviving buildings of the ex-GWR Works takes up to two hours. The tour focuses on the listed Joseph Armstrong buildings of the Designer Outlet but also refers to others on the old factory site, including STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, The Managers Office, the Chain Test shop and the ex-drawing and administrative offices that are now Historic England’s Archive and English Heritage’s offices. We include anecdotes from Rodbournite and ex-GWR…
Find out more »Edith Cavell’s story in Belgium 1914
Gerry Churchard’s talk details Edith Cavell’s early life in Norfolk and her motivation to become a nurse - how she ended up in a private hospital in Belgium as Matron prior to the outbreak of WW1 - her involvement with Belgian resistance and subsequent execution - exhumation after WW1 and her body returned to England. Admission: Members £1 Guests £2
Find out more »August 2020
History of Punch and Judy
Phil Collins gives a fun talk on the history of Britain’s most famous hand puppets. Phil, aka Professor Collywobbles, takes you through the journey from Mr Punch’s humble beginnings in Italy to his arrival in England over 350 years ago. Punch & Judy shows became commonplace in many large seaside resorts throughout the land. The professor also gives you an insight into what goes on behind the scenes of his traditional show. Admission: Members £1 Guests £2
Find out more »GWR Factory Tour
Our popular free walking tour of the surviving buildings of the ex-GWR Works takes up to two hours. The tour focuses on the listed Joseph Armstrong buildings of the Designer Outlet but also refers to others on the old factory site, including STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, The Managers Office, the Chain Test shop and the ex-drawing and administrative offices that are now Historic England’s Archive and English Heritage’s offices. We include anecdotes from Rodbournite and ex-GWR…
Find out more »September 2020
GWR Factory Tour
Our popular free walking tour of the surviving buildings of the ex-GWR Works takes up to two hours. The tour focuses on the listed Joseph Armstrong buildings of the Designer Outlet but also refers to others on the old factory site, including STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, The Managers Office, the Chain Test shop and the ex-drawing and administrative offices that are now Historic England’s Archive and English Heritage’s offices. We include anecdotes from Rodbournite and ex-GWR…
Find out more »
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