Our Heritage Events
Roman Life around Wimborne – Talk and presentation by John Smith
thursday 11th april 2.00pM
As a follow on from the talk last year about the Roman Legionary Fortress at Lake Farm, John will extend the subject into Roman life around Wimborne. Based on archaeological discovery, come and find out what Roman life was like in this corner of Dorset nearly two thousand years ago.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Pamphill and Cowgrove Walk
thursday 18th april 11.00aM
A five mile walk around the old village of Pamphill, including Cowgrove and the River Stour Valley. Please bring a packed lunch for a picnic break and allow time for tea and cake afterwards. Please dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Visit to Cerne Abbey Friends Only Event
wednesday 24th april 11.00am and 2.00pm
Steeped in history, Cerne Abbey was first founded in the ninth century and then refounded as a Benedictine Abbey in 987 AD. It remained a monastic establishment until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 when it became a private house. It has been the home of the Fulford-Dobson family since 1979 and we are very grateful to be allowed access to this ancient building. Refreshments are not available but there is a pub and some coffee shops close by in the beautiful village of Cerne Abbas.
Tickets: £8.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Bluebells at Woodyates Walk
thursday 25th april 10.00am
A 9 mile walk through a succession of woods with (if the timing is right!) spectacular bluebell displays as well as other woodland flowers including wood anemones, celandines, wild garlic and possibly a few orchids. Mostly flat but with some undulating sections and one moderate incline. Please bring a packed lunch and dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear.
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Bournemouth’s Literary Connections – Guided Walk by Hattie Miles – Friends Only Event
tuesday 30th april 10.30am
Join Hattie on another of her fascinating walks and learn about Bournemouth’s most famous literary heroes and heroines. Explore the town’s rich literary history that includes writers such as JRR Tolkien, Thomas Hardy, Mary Shelley and some interesting writers you might not have come across before.
Tickets: £8.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
The World of the Workhouse – Talk by Kirsty Gray
friday 3rd May 2.00pm
The ‘Workhouse’ was feared and evoked terrible shame in those individuals who were forced to enter its walls. It was deeply embedded in folk memory and utterly detested. Kirsty Gray peers behind the closed doors of the workhouse, exploring the various records available for unearthing ancestors in the workhouse, and explains what life was like for its poor unfortunate inmates
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Twenty Million Bricks – Talk by The Brickworks Museum
tuesday 14th MAY 2.00pM
The Brickworks Museum is based in the only complete Victorian brickmaking factory left in the country. A very rare survivor! The company opened its first brickyard in Chandler’s Ford in 1885 but as the clay ran out, they moved to Lower Swanwick on the River Hamble in 1897. They invested in state-of-the-art machinery powered by steam and started work. At the height of production, it was providing the local area with 20 million bricks a year. It closed in 1974 and was nearly demolished but saved in the nick of time.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
The Dorset Clubmen and the Battle for Wimborne
Talk by Haydn Wheeler
thursday 16th May 2.00pm
In the English Civil Wars of the 17th Century, many people refrained from taking sides in the conflict because they saw them as unnatural wars between the King and Parliament. People grew tired of the Civil Wars; of the plunder and the destitution brought upon them by the situation. This collective of people from across all levels of society organised themselves as an association, calling themselves Clubmen. In Dorset, as well as in other areas of the country, the Clubmen were active and formidable
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Broad Chalke and Compton Down Walk
thursday 23rd may 10.00am
This is a stunning 7.5 mile walk through South Wiltshire countryside starting in the village of Broad Chalke, then up to Compton Down, along the Oxdrove and around Chiselbury ancient fort with fabulous views to the Fovant Badges. On the way back we pass through delightful water cress meadows. It is a moderately easy walk mainly on tracks, a little bit up and a little bit down, with only one stile to navigate. Please bring a packed lunch and allow time for tea afterwards. Please dress appropriately for the weather with stout footwear.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
Coach trip to Bignor Park and Arundel
Friends Only Event
wednesday 29th may 8.00aM
Steeped in history, Bignor Park, in a stunning panoramic parkland setting, was held for centuries by the Earls of Arundel. Tucked away down an impressive drive, the house, built in the late1820s, and the home of the Viscounts Mersey, is majestic with an understated neo-classic style. Please note there are no refreshment facilities at Bignor Park so please bring your own food, snacks and hot drinks.
The day then continues in historic Arundel – the setting of the new celebrated film ‘Wicked Little Letters’. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic town, overlooked by its impressive Castle. Learn all about the town – the architecture, the Cathedral and church, connections with royalty and the aristocracy, along with some dark stories too. There will be the chance to buy some lunch in the town too.
Tickets: £55.00
Meet: Details on ticket.
D-Day and Dorset – Talk and presentation by John Smith
thursday 6th june 2.00pm
6th June 1944 – forever known as D-Day was a momentous date which helped change the course of WWII. On the 80th anniversary of this incredible act of bravery and defiance, the talk reveals the part that Dorset played in the preparation for the hugely important invasion of Normandy. Aerial, land and sea preparations to ensure that D-Day succeeded were carried out across the whole county, but how did the local airfields, and ports of Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch play their part? There will be scale model replica aircraft, landing craft and tanks on display to help illustrate this incredible undertaking.
Tickets £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Rethinking Nagasaki – Talk by Dr Carole Reeves plus Annual Friends Meeting
wednesday 12th june 2.00pM
Dr Reeves visited Nagasaki because of a professional interest in the medical effects of the Plutonium bomb which killed 74,000 people in August 1945, but while there she discovered an engaging city with a history of foreign trade dating from the 16th century. As a cosmopolitan city, it was only through Nagasaki that Western culture, science, technology, and medicine entered Japan during the period of national seclusion (1641 to 1859). This talk provides a different insight into the city that became globally known for the horrors of 20th century war.
After this talk, you are welcome to join us for an informal Annual Friend’s Meeting where you can find out how EDHT has progressed through the past year.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
The History of Fort Nelson – Talk by Lewis Sharp
wednesday 26th june 2.00pm
Fort Nelson, a Palmerston Fort, one of five on Portsdown Hill, was built in the 1860’s because of concerns about the strength of the French Navy. This talk not only covers the history of the fort and the fortifications of Portsmouth, but also its restoration and new life as a museum.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne.
Dancing through the War Years
Talk by Francis Burroughes
tuesday 9th july 2.00pm
The extraordinary story of Francis’s mother, who was an Army Nurse before and during WWII. Her service took her from Chorley in Lancashire, through the Blitz in London, to the West Country, and finally to Dachau in Germany. Francis Illustrates the story with excerpts from her diaries for the years 1936 – 1945.
Tickets: £6.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne
Langton Herring and the Fleet Walk
thursday 18th july 10.00Am
A 7 mile walk on the Southwest Coast Path along the edge of the Fleet Lagoon starting from the attractive village of Langton Herring and ending at East Fleet where we cut inland following paths and tracks back to our starting point. Along the way there will be opportunities to watch bird life on the Fleet, visit two small churches and learn about the Moonfleet Manor Hotel. Part of the walk is across undulating farmland. 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.
Jo Philby and Anne-Louise Richards – Acoustic Evening of Song
friday 19th july 6.00pm
We are delighted to welcome back popular Orkney based singer-songwriter Jo Philby. This time Jo is joined by local singer and musician Anne-Louise Richards after enjoying a collaboration at last year’s, Shaftesbury Fringe.
Jo is renowned for her soulful and expressive vocals with her natural ability to convey emotion and to tell stories of the sea and island life.
Anne-Louise has always been inspired by the folk tradition. She performs songs that she really connects with, and her serene repertoire has an ethereal edge.
Delighting audiences with their warm and friendly stage presence be sure for an absorbing musical time with heartfelt songs. Bring your voices!
Connect with them on Facebook & Instagram
Tickets: £12.00
Meet: Castleman Suite, Allendale House, Wimborne
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.
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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.