Talks 2022-23
September 2022. The Cold War and the Fight to be Heard given by Alan Strickland.
The Cold War in the 1980’s saw cruise missiles deployed to Greenham Common. Our long-standing member Alan Strickland has researched 20th century UK military history for over 40 years, and will tell the story of the Greenham Women’s peace camp and their fight to be listened to. Now scheduled, this significant site is considered as part of our ‘conflict archaeology’ heritage.
October 2022. From Gaulish kiln to Corinium ditch given by Dr Graham Barton
The Corinium Museum contains fine examples of Samian ware (Terra sigillata) in its collection. How did the 1st century garrison’s Samian supply reach the Roman fort –and what became of it? We welcome Dr Graham Barton back this season with his talk researched especially for us.
Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Christmas Ghosts: the Tradition of Winter Tales in Gloucestershire and Beyond given by Kirsty Hartsiotis
We’ve told supernatural tales at midwinter for a very long time. Kirsty Hartsiotis will take us back to the earliest winter tales, coming up through the Victorians revisiting of the tradition to the present day, with a focus on Gloucestershire’s own midwinter stories.
Wednesday 25th January 2023 Chastleton House given by Pamela Morris.
Chastleton House, near Stow-on-the-Wold, is a Jacobean gem. Its true magic lies in the fact that it is largely unchanged since its completion c1612. Walter Jones, the builder, could walk in and recognise his house today, passed down through the family until its acquisition by the National Trust in 1991. Pam Morris has been a volunteer guide at Chastleton since 2013 and has carried out a great deal of research into its history.
MONDAY 20th February 2023 *** Note day and Location*** Cirencester and the Battle of Dyrham in AD 577 Neil Holbrook The Annual Croome Lecture – PARISH CHURCH, 7.30pm. This is a Free Public Lecture. The record of an important Saxon victory over the cities of Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath at Dyrham in AD 577 has always fascinated scholars and historians. Neil Holbrook of Cotswold Archaeology will explore the current debate over this significant entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Wednesday 22nd March 2023 The rise and fall of the “Bisley Path” from Cirencester to Gloucester. Chas Townley will explore the history of this ancient route, which ran from Cirencester to Gloucester via Bisley and Painswick. Much of the route is still accessible, though the section through Cirencester Park ceased to be a public way when the park was created.
Wednesday 12th April 2023 Tree ring dating of Gloucestershire buildings Dr Andy Moir. A joint meeting with Cirencester Science and Technology Society. Society’ – This was replaced by Dr Ray Wilson talking about ‘The Industrial
Heritage of the Cotswolds’. Although the Cotswolds cannot be thought of as being an industrial area, two major industries, agriculture and quarrying, have been carried on for centuries. Furthermore, a range of much smaller industries have also thrived at one time such as woollen cloth manufacturing, silk thread production and brewing, of which happily, the last one continues today.
Good transport systems are vital to support all industrial activity and the remains of these systems are a very
important part of our industrial heritage. Accordingly, roads, canals and railways will also feature in this fully
illustrated talk.
Wednesday 24th May 2023 Annual General Meeting followed by Place names in the Gloucestershire Landscape. Dr Simon Draper, Assistant Editor of the Oxfordshire Victoria County History (VCH), explored the origins and meanings of Gloucestershire place names, and examined what they reveal about settlement and land-use over a millennium ago in the Anglo-Saxon period, when most names were coined.