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
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
2027
January 7th Post Christmas Meal – TBA
January 21st Speakers – Beverley Margerison, Joy Hanley & Catherine Kemble “Ellendune 1200”
An illustrated presentation by Vision 4 Wroughton on the Battle of Ellendune in 825AD, when the Saxons of Wessex defeated the Mercians. The presentation includes information on the historical context of the battle as well as details about the battle itself. The speakers will also show how Vision 4 Wroughton helped the village commemorate the anniversary in September 2025.
February 4th Open Meeting
February 18th Speaker – David Mitchell “North Wessex Way”
David Mitchell, the Accidental Historian, will talk about the ancient but forgotten road from Oxford to Bristol that he discovered on a map from 1675. The route, running through the north of Wiltshire, has its origins back in the Iron Age and was used by everyone in the millennia that followed; Kings, armies, monks, travellers and pilgrims. But in the 18th century it suddenly fell into disuse and became the Forgotten Road. Only now is the history and importance being recognised.
March 4th Open Meeting
March 18th Speaker – Helen Rayner “A Visit to the Festival of Britain 1951”
What was it like to spend a day at the Festival of Britain? What did visitors see, hear, eat, drink and spend their money on? History Group member Helen makes a welcome return to explore the Festival experience.
April 1st Open Meeting – AGM
April Museum re-opens for 2027
April 15th Speaker – Mike Clarke “The First to Die”
The story of a little-known duel of big guns in which a school master lost his life, a café was wrecked and a fisherman had an experience that led to tales that got taller with each retelling. A history of surprising, but true events, with a little legend thrown in.
April 29th Open Meeting
May 13th Speakers – Sara Steel & Jenny Ackrill “Effluence & Epidemics”
This talk will explore the stomach-churning pitfalls of a rapidly expanding Swindon, when the streets were paved with health hazards and the canal wasn’t the only thing flowing through the town! Join us to learn about the Inspector of Nuisances, plagues of vermin, the perils of drinking milk and much more. Sara & Jenny from Local Studies make a welcome return.
May 27th Open Meeting
Saturday June 5th HG Outing – TBA – KEEP THE DATE FREE!
June 10th Speaker – Graham Carter “Moonies, Movers & Shakers”
A short history of ‘The Association of Wiltshiremen in London’. Starting from humble origins in 1887, this prestigious organisation held annual dinners that involved the leading Wiltshiremen of the era, and threw up some remarkable stories. It also provides a unique insight into social attitudes of the time, especially towards women.
June 24th Open Meeting
July 3rd Wroughton Carnival – WHG stall
July 8th Speaker – Dr. Christopher (Chris) Scott “The Hundred Years War”
Chris says he once watched an abysmal Hollywood action film about knights and battles and heard the memorable line delivered after the leading man’s castle burnt down…, “Gosh, what are the chances of this happening just as the hundred years war is starting up? Do we fight for our country or rebuild our home?” His brothers and household staff all cry together, ” Fight for England! God save the king! ”
I recall being puzzled as to how would they knew how long it would go on, but it also triggered an interest in a war which as a small boy I’d not heard of. I found it a huge subject full of characters, English & French triumphs and disasters as well as heroic deeds and outlandish myths, political betrayals and governmental skullduggery you’d think was fake news – and yes, there was that as well. The talk gives an overview of this period of medieval history and tells the story of an age of conflict with our nearest European neighbours which still resonates today.
July 22nd Open Meeting
Summer Break
Sept 2nd Speaker – John Farrow “Coate Water and the Surrounding Area”
The Wilts and Berks Canal was built in the early 1800s and ran the 52 miles from the Kennet and Avon Canal, south of Melksham, to Abingdon on the Thames. To top the water up, the 52 acre Coate Water Reservoir was created between 1820 and 1822 with a leat to the Canal near Stratton. The Reservoir is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest, been given Country Park status and was voted as Swindon’s favourite place. John will pictorially describe the Reservoir over the years together with some of the nearby features such as the stone circles and the Richard Jefferies House.
Sept 16th Open Meeting
Sept 30th Speaker – Alison (Ali) Warren “The Forgotten Women of History”
Oct 14th Open Meeting
Oct 28th Speaker – Vincent Povey “War to Wildlife”
This talk is about the complete history of RAF Blakehill Farm to the present day, and how Vincent became involved in it. He will explain what is left of a once crucial airfield just outside Cricklade and it’s connection to Princess Alexander’s Hospital Wroughton.
Oct 30th Museum closes for winter
Nov 11th Open Meeting
Nov 25th Speaker – Dr Tim Brain “1066 and all that” The Battle of Hastings and the Bayeux Tapestry
1066 and the battle of Hastings is still the most famous date in British history. Dr Tim Brain explores not only the story of the battle, but also looks at the remarkable story of the creation, survival and hidden meanings of the tapestry itself.
Dec 9th Christmas Crimble