Our Heritage Events
Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole and the Fossil Forest Geology Walk – Guided by John Scott
wednesday 31st july 10.30am
Learn about the geological history of this famous section of the Jurassic Coast. See the effects of an ancient earthquake shown in the rocks and view a flooded fossil woodland and its ancient soil. This walk will take at least 3 hours. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks. Please dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear as there is a steep incline and decline to negotiate.
Tickets £8.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Tiles and Terracotta in and Around Wimborne – Talk by Jo Amey
wednesday 7th august 2.00pm
Often overlooked, decorative ceramics add interest and colour to our streets and historic buildings. Join Jo Amey, The Tile Lady, and discover the wealth of tiles and terracotta in the Wimborne area, many of which were made locally by Carter and Co and Southwestern Pottery. Jo studied Environmental Design at art college and has been recording tiles in this area for over ten years.
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
The Happy Bottom Walk
thursday 8th august 11.00am
A circular five mile walk from Corfe Mullen, through Happy Bottom and the old Somerset and Dorset railway track bed. Please bring a packed lunch for a picnic break and allow time for tea and cake at a pub afterwards. Please dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Coach Visit to Kelmscott Manor plus Guided tour of Faringdon Town and Folly
Friends Only Event
wednesday 14th august 8.00am
Kelmscott Manor was the much-loved home of William Morris and is unspoilt and unaltered since his time there – a work of true craftsmanship in harmony with the surrounding countryside. Discover the artist and the Arts and Craft movement he embraced. Enjoy a light lunch at this stunning property surrounded by the beauty of his home.
Afterwards we head to nearby Faringdon for a special guided tour of this historic little town plus a guided tour of Faringdon Folly that was completed in 1935. The day ends with tea and cake at the Sudbury House Hotel.
Tickets £68.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
The History of Dorset and Wimborne Militias – Talk by Alex Compiani
tuesday 20th august 2.00pm
Militias historically were made up of ordinary men who trained part time and who fought only when called to, usually in defence of their county or town. There were several militias in Dorset which played a vital role in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.The current Wimborne Militia, is a highly regarded historical reenactment group which this year celebrates 25 years as part of the community, bringing many of the skills and trades of the 17th century to life through its living history encampments, artillery and musketry displays.
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Wimborne All Hallows – Tales from the Graveyard – Talk by Alan Dedden
thursday 22nd august 2.00pm
During 2020 and 2021, volunteers from East Dorset Antiquarian Society undertook the task of finding the location of the church at Wimborne All Hallows near Wimborne St Giles. The church had been demolished in 1732, but the churchyard continued to be used for burials until 1925. This talk will look at the excavations that revealed the remains of the church, plus the many stories that emerged from the historical research.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Walk Through the Stour Valley
thursday 29th august 10.00am
Join us for a 7 mile walk around the Stour Valley, starting in the ancient village of Spetisbury, with its Iron Age Hillfort and historic railway station project. The route then goes through stunning Dorset countryside to Gorcombe Farm, now an activity centre. There are no steep hills but there is some undulation. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks and allow time for tea afterwards. Please dress appropriately for the weather with stout footwear.
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Studland Walk
thursday 5th SEPT 10.00aM
Join us on a stunning walk starting at Studland, stopping for a picnic at Old Harry rocks before the climb up to Ballard Down. There will be stops to admire the view and to help get your breath back. The Bankes Arms would be a nice way to end the day. Please bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Can You Play Jerusalem for Us?
Talk by Francis Burroughes
thursday 12th sept 2.00pM
Francis has spoken to many hundreds of clubs and societies across the West Country over the years. Most of the meetings have been memorable for the welcome and hospitality he has received. However, sometimes the unexpected happens! Things that you cannot ever plan for. Here are some of the funniest moments from the life of a speaker ‘on the W.I. circuit’. He promises strict anonymity, but you may recognise a club near you!
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
When Dorset Made History Talk by Steve Roberts
Tuesday 17th sept 2.00pm
Come and join Steve on a fast-paced romp through Dorset’s history from prehistoric times to today with all the major events featured in the correct order (the kind of thing they just don’t teach in schools anymore). Think of it as a colourful, fun and action-packed rampage through the occasions when Dorset made the headlines. Although there’ll be some familiar stories, there will also be some unexpected gems which will leave you with a better appreciation of this county’s rich history.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Avebury Landscape Walk
thursday 19th SEPT 10.00am
This 8-mile walk is further away than normal but the historic Avebury landscape with its spectacular and intriguing ancient monuments is well worth the journey. The walk starts at the National Trust car park (free to NT members) and goes around Silbury Hill, on to West Kennet long barrow and back to the stone circle via The Avenue. The afternoon walk will then go up to the Neolithic causewayed enclosure, Windmill Hill. Please bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear. Allow time for tea and cake afterwards (not included in the ticket price).
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Visit to The Purbeck Cider Company and Purbeck Ice Cream
wednesday 25th sept 10.00am
Join us for a day visiting a Purbeck producing dynasty!
Start the day with a tour of The Purbeck Cider Company, started by Joe Hartle in 2006 who decided that Dorset deserved to have its own cider from traditional trees. After years of experimenting and researching it has grown from its humble beginnings into a significant cider producer with its own farm and orchards. After hearing the story and sampling some varieties, it’s then off to his Mum and Dad’s place at Purbeck Ice Cream just a few miles away.
Purbeck Ice Cream was born as a result of diversification from dairy farming over 30 years ago, when Hazel and Peter Hartle ran a dairy herd on lush green pasture opposite historic Corfe Castle. With tourism key to the area, they decided that ice-cream was the answer to the problems of milk quotas, and the business grew into the success it is today. This is a rare chance to visit this much-loved local producer.
Tickets: £27.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Coach Visit to Goodwood House and Chichester Friends Only Event
monday 7th oct 8.00am
Goodwood House has been the home of the Dukes of Richmond & Lennox for over 300 years. Architecturally it is one of the most unusual of England’s great houses, which started as a hunting lodge in 1617, and was then enlarged over the years to create the magnificent house of today. Enjoy refreshments before a tour of the state rooms with their rich Regency interiors which form the backdrop to one of the country’s finest art collections. From here Chichester is just a short hop away where you can find some lunch before a guided tour of the ancient city. With Roman origins, Chichester, has a rich history through Anglo-Saxon, Norman and medieval times and is the only city in West Sussex.
Tickets: £55.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
How well do you know your hedgehogs? –
Talk by Jeanette Hampstead
wednesday 9th october 2.00pm
After retiring from a long nursing career Jeanette thought she would enjoy living a life of leisure. How wrong was she! After finding a sick hedgehog in her garden her life changed forever. She nursed ‘Erica’ back to health and launched herself into learning everything about hedgehogs. Her Hedgehog rescue centre has taken lots of time and lots of energy to establish and seven years later with the help of volunteers, they admit hundreds of hedgehogs every year. A story of commitment to our most endangered but much-loved native species.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Magnificent Women and Flying Machines – Talk by Sally Smith
thursday 15th oct 2.00pM
The many stories of women in flight, who were real pioneers in all forms of aviation, from ballooning, parachuting, gliding, airships and fixed wing flight, right up to the story of Britain’s first ever woman in space. This talk offers fascinating insights into the characters and lifestyles of these wonderful women and also offers glimpses into how society has changed. Some stories are poignant, others jaw-dropping or just plain hilarious.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Upton Heath Walk
thursday 24th OCT 10.00am
Come and explore the incredibly varied landscape of Upton Heath, Creekmoor Ponds and Upton Country Park on this 7 – 8 mile walk on well-defined tracks and paths with gentle undulations. Enjoy far reaching views across Poole towards the harbour. There are wonderful areas of heathland and woodland to discover as well as unexpected lakes and ponds. The joys of autumn colours will be on show as well as the opportunity to spot wading birds and wildfowl on the harbour. Bring your binoculars! Please bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear – it may be muddy in places. Allow time for tea and cake afterwards (not included in the ticket price).
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
The Tragedy of The Empress of Ireland – Talk by Helen Baggott
thursday 7th november 2.00pm
When the RMS Empress of Ireland sank in 1914, more passengers lost their lives than on Titanic – yet few have heard of the tragedy. This talk reveals the story of the sinking – and three families from Dorset and Somerset that were affected – including Wimborne. Illustrated by postcards and photographs, this talk remembers a forgotten tragedy.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
One Gun, Two Dead – The Hastings Murder of 1911 – Talk by Miranda Pender
thursday 14th november 2.00pM
On 13th September 1911, Joseph James, a 56-year-old chemist, walked into the office of Frederick Womersley, manager of the Hastings and East Sussex Building Society, and shot him dead. Edward Chantler, the police officer in charge of the investigation, later used the same revolver to take his own life. Joseph was Miranda’s great-grandfather and in this dramatic talk she tells his bizarre tale and what it’s like to discover you have a murderer in the family!
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Athelhampton and Puddletown Walk
thursday 21st november 10.00am
A pleasant eight mile walk through the beautiful woods and farmland of rural Dorset. The terrain is not too challenging, and we will be able to enjoy tranquil Puddletown with its fine old church, before returning to Athelhampton House and its stunning location. Please bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear. Also allow time for tea afterwards (not included in the ticket price).
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
A Portrait of the Architect as Young Man – Talk by Julian Le Good
wednesday 27th nov 2.00pM
A funny reminiscence of the career of Julian Le Good who started as an Architect in 1978 when there were no mobiles, no faxes, no emails and plans were drawn by hand using pen and ink and set squares. His experiences form a comical journey down a personal memory lane, when life seemed to be simpler and funnier.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
The Great American Christmas – Talk by Chris Walker
tuesday 3rd december 2.00pm
This is a fond look back at how the Great American Songbook treated Christmas over the years, with stories and rare audio/visual examples. How songs, that are so familiar, came into our lives and stayed.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Christchurch – A Smugglers’ Town – Talk by Julie Ratcliffe
wednesday 11th dec 2.00pm
Smuggling was rife throughout England in the 18th century and many towns have their own tales of clandestine activities. So, what made Christchurch any different? Come along and hear about smuggling in Christchurch and why the town was perfectly placed for anyone engaging in these illicit activities – even in broad daylight!
Julie Ratcliffe is a writer and local historian from Christchurch and is the author of a series of children’s adventure books, the Smugglers’ Town Mysteries
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne
The Great EDHT Quiz 2024
wednesday 18th dec 2.00pm
Bring your friends and pit your wits against each other! Test your general knowledge and have some fun; with picture rounds to frustrate and intrigue, mixed in with a lot of friendly banter. Tables of six, will battle it out for the coveted ‘Castleman Cup’. If you can’t find five friends, we will find them for you. Bring your own nibbles but some seasonal treats will be provided.
Tickets £6.00 person, maximum of six per table.
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
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Call us on 01202 888992 to obtain further details on all our courses, heritage events and room hire to check availability.