Speaker evenings – all are welcome to attend. There is a charge of £3 for non-members, payable on the night.
Open evenings are for everyone to get together over tea/coffee and chat about events, share information (perhaps some old photographs), and discuss matter of interest to the Group. Meetings are held at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Devizes Road Wroughton, SN4 0RZ from 7.30 to 9pm.
Programme of events
2026
February 12th Open Meeting
February 26th Speaker – Helen Rayner “The Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition 1955-58”
Helen, one of our HG members, is giving her second talk to the group, this time inspired by one of the vehicles stored at the Science Museum’s National Collections Centre at Wroughton. Helen says she chose February as it should be easier to imagine the conditions in the Antarctic!
March 12th Open Meeting
March 26th Speaker – Dr. Christopher (Chris) Scott “John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough”
The Duke of Marlborough is acknowledged as Britain’s greatest general, ranking alongside Alexander, Wellington and Napoleon on the world’s military stage, but how much do people know about him or why he has such a reputation? For example, did you know his vast wealth was founded on a naked leap of chivalry and preservation of a lady’s honour? Or that he caused massive embarrassment at the welcome to England given to King George 1? Chris Scott will reveal the man behind the name and tell the tale of how this son of a civil war cavalier won his fame and became a national hero.
April 4th – Opening of Wroughton History Group Museum – 2pm – 5pm
April 9th Open Meeting – AGM
April 23rd Speaker – Clynt Perrott “Made in the Isle of Wight”
The majority of visitors look upon the Isle of Wight purely as a holiday destination. Clynt’s talk will uncover the islands rich heritage of industrial innovation and manufacturing skills.
May 7th Open Meeting
May 21st Speakers– Sara Steel & Jenny Ackrill “Women in Swindon”
Sara & Jenny are part of the Local Studies Team in Swindon Library so you may already know them. Their talk tonight covers some of the most well known “women in Swindon” but also what life would have been like for the average “women in Swindon”.
June 4th Open Meeting
Saturday June 6th HG Outing – TBA – KEEP THE DATE FREE!
June 18th Speaker – Clare Randall – Cotswold Archaeology “TBA”
Following Clare’s fascinating talk to us in June 25 about the archaeological dig at Wroughton Airfield she is making a welcome return. However, she would like to decide on a subject nearer the time, hopefully topical!
July 2nd Open Meeting
July 16th Speaker – John Farrow “The Wilts and Berks Canal”
John is an active supporter of The Trust which aims to restore the Canal for the benefit of the whole community. The Canal originally ran over 50 miles from Semington, south of Melksham to Abingdon on the Thames with a major branch from Swindon to the Thames and Severn Canal at Latton. John will bring us up to date with the work that has been ongoing and tell us the plans for the future.
July 30th Open Meeting
Summer Break
Sept 10th Speaker – David Dawson – “Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wiltshire”
Wiltshire is rich in folklore with songs, stories, customs and folk crafts scattered across the landscape. David, Director of the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, will explore the folk lore of Wiltshire’s History and the vibrant traditions and customs taking place in Wiltshire today.
Sept 24th Open Meeting
Oct 8th Speaker – Tony Hearn “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission”
The talk tonight is about the history of the CWGC, how the commission began, it’s work during both world wars and how it works today. The presentation will also focus on the war graves in our local area and tell the stories of some of those we commemorate. Tony is a local volunteer and as tonight’s fee is donated directly to the CWGC, he says “he wouldn’t mind a cup of tea!” So perhaps we should put the kettle on!
Oct 22nd Open Meeting
Nov 5th Speaker – Dr. Rosa Matheson “TRIP Swindon Works Annual Holiday”
Rosa is a local Railway Historian who has been a long-time enthusiast of the Railway Works, the GWR and women’s railway history, she has written several books including the one about today’s talk. Anyone who grew up in Swindon will remember TRIP, the GWR annual holiday, a tradition that started in 1848 and lasted over 120 years.
Nov 19th Open Meeting
Dec 3rd Speaker – John Clark
“The Development of the Main Battle Tank from WW1 up to the 2nd Iraq War”
John worked with the MOD on the development of tanks including the Centurion, Chieftain & Scimitar light tank; then later ran his own company making replacement and improved parts for Eastern Block tanks and combat vehicles. He brings a wealth of knowledge to this talk and concludes with a view of the future of battlefield fighting vehicles.
Dec 17th Christmas Crimble