2007

 

Wednesday 17th January Archaeology and Landscape— where the Forest meets the Trees

Robert Lloyd-Sweet introduces his research into the medieval landscape of Bradon Forest and how it affects the appearance of the modern countryside.

 

Wednesday 7th February Annual General Meeting and Supper.

Presentation of the Annual Reports on the Society’s affairs for the year 2006 at the Town Hall Annexe, followed by an optional buffet.

Please note that the AGM begins at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 21st February Local Villages around Swindon

Raymond Rumming shares with us some slides of local villages around Swindon, including Cricklade.

 

Wednesday 21st March Slavery: Abolition and the Royal Navy

Many people think that once slavery was banned all was well. One of our regular speakers, Paul Booy, tells us however that it had to be enforced and the Royal Navy was the only means of doing so.

 

Wednesday 18th April CHS: The first 60 years

David Tetlow, our Chairman, reminds us of the first 60 years of the Society’s history.

 

Friday 11th May “Antiquities on Sale” Evening

Join us in some fun and see if you can accurately value some of the items from the Museum collection. This should be an entertaining and educational evening. Tickets for this event, which includes a glass of wine and a light supper, are £7.50 each. These can be obtained from Bella Vincent, Gill Messer or David Tetlow.

 

Wednesday 16th May Eysey Manor Quarry

Dr Steve Ford tells us about some of the findings from the excavation work that has been carried out at Eysey Manor Quarry (see this year’s issue of The Cricklade Collection).

 

Wednesday 20th June RAF Fairford in 1944

Brian Routledge shares with us, in an illustrated presentation, RAF Fairford’s involvement in support of the SOE and SAS, and the momentous events of the D- Day and Arnhem airborne operations.

 

Wednesday 18th July Seven Fields

Marilyn Beale, secretary to Seven Fields Conservation Group, talks to us about Seven Fields Nature Reserve. Seven Fields is rich in wildlife and has some of the best wildflower meadows in Wiltshire, with ancient hedgerows, a stream, a magnificent Wild Service Tree, and Penhill Copse. It received a Local Nature Reserve Designation in 1995.

 

Sunday 19th August Beer Houses and Coaching Inns

Join us on an accompanied afternoon walk around Cricklade and learn about some of the local beer houses and coaching inns that used to exist in Cricklade. Your guide will be Ivor Keeble and tea is served afterwards at the Museum.

 

Wednesday 19th September Barbury Castle

Come along and find out about the history of Barbury Castle and the surrounding landscape. Michael Lilley, one of the regular guides to Barbury Castle and a member of Swindon Services Ranger Team tells us about these ancient earthworks just 5 miles south of Swindon and the M4.

 

Saturday 22nd September Autumn Fayre

Support the Society at this annual fund raising event. Make a date in your diary!

 

Wednesday 17th October Strangers in our Midst

One of our past speakers, Peter Grace, a local historian, tells us about some of the various people who came to the area as a result of the 34 military bases that were within 12 miles of Cirencester during World War II.

 

Wednesday 21st November Ladies through the Ages

Peter Donovan gives us a light hearted look at women and work from the 1850s to the present time.

 

Saturday 15th December Christmas Draw at Museum

Proceeds of which help maintain the Museum. Draw at 11 a.m.

 

2008

 

Wednesday 16th January Archaeological Ironwork

Hector Cole, a Fellow of The Worshipful Company Of Blacksmiths, a Judge for The National Blacksmiths Competition Committee and a founder member of Local Crafts of Wessex, talks to us about the skills of the Early Iron Age, Anglo Saxon and Medieval ironworkers.

 

Wednesday 6th February Annual General Meeting

All are welcome to attend our Annual Meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday 20th February Signatures of War

Archaeologist Bob Clarke will discuss some of the findings of a two year study of North Wiltshire’s fascinating 20th Century military architecture. Come and hear what he has to say about RAF Blakehill Farm!

 

Wednesday 19th March Freemasons of Wiltshire

Brian Chappill, Information Officer for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire, talks to us about the development of the Masonic movement in Wiltshire since its formation in 1775 and the work that Freemasons undertake.