Winter Lectures 2008

Oct. 11th Dennis Chedgy: Early mining development of Radstock 1763 - 1973 Dennis Chedgy, a founder member and trustee of Radstock Museum, needs no introduction to members having given us interesting lectures in the past, and those of us who have visited Radstock Museum will remember the vivid depiction of early mining there. 

*Oct. 25th Peter Macfadyen: Sustainable Frome? Can Frome be enjoyed by future generations? Peter Macfayden has worked both in the U.K. and Africa with groups trying to ensure a just and equitable future for all. This has taken him into issues of climate change and initiating ‘Sustainable Frome’. He will give a brief overview of the broad issues, leading to discussion. 

Nov. 8th Dr. Robin Thornes.FSA: The lives and times of the Fussell family of Mells. Years ago the Society visited the site of the Fussell works on a very, very wet afternoon, not conducive to an appreciation of its former importance. Robin Thornes’ extensive research will give us a clearer understanding of this local industry on the banks of the River Frome. 

Nov. 22nd K.H.Rogers: The woollen industry of Somerset and Wiltshire. Ken Rogers, of Trowbridge Museum is a former county archivist of Wiltshire and author of several books on the woollen trade. He will give an illustrated talk on the processes of manufacture that had such a profound influence on this area. 

*Dec. 6th Jane de Gruchy: Researching your Somerset House Jane de Gruchy is an archivist at the Somerset Record Office who will provide guide lines to researching the history of your home. She will cover the records that you will need and how the Somerset Record Office can help whatever its age, and you may find an unexpected story of its past.

*Dec. 20th Martin Horler: The daily life & experiences of a Royal Mail Guard Martin Horler of Kilmersdon has been involved in the decoration of some of Bath’s major public buildings. In recognition of his special skills he has recently been made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers at Painters’ Hall in London. In the full livery of a Royal Mail Guard, Martin will describe the duties and responsibilities of the delivery of mail in an era of Highwaymen and brigands: 1786 - 1830.

The talk will be followed by our Christmas Tea.

2009

Dinah Starkey, retired History Lecturer, who has given us memorable illustrated talks on medieval Wessex, continues with a series from Elizabethan times onwards.  

Jan. 10th Royal Progress: Visits to the West Country by Elizabeth 1 

Jan. 24th The Wilton House Set: life before the Civil War 

Feb. 7th A fair prospect: West Country houses and the people who lived there 

Feb. 21st Taking the waters: Life in Georgian Bath 

Mar. 7th Tony House: Local wildlife. Today’s speaker is a committee member of the Group of the East Mendip Somerset Wildlife Trust. He will show his slides of the wildlife around the River Frome with particular reference to its otters. 

Mar. 21st Dr. Martin Green F.S.A.: The Archaeology of Cranborne Chase Martin Green is a farmer excavating on his own farm, and running his own private museum - very popular with local societies. His book ‘A Landscape Revealed - 10,000 Years on a Chalkland Farm’ was published June 2000 by Tempus. He will start his lecture with a brief history of earlier fieldwork on Cranborne Chase; for instance, the excavations led by General Pitt Rivers who was ahead of his time in his scientific archaeological techniques and whose collection of artefacts from the area are on permanent display in Oxford. Martin will then concentrate on his own forty years of rewarding fieldwork in the vicinity of his home, Down Farm, near Sixpenny Handley. 

Apr. 4th 2pm AGM; followed by John Peverley, Chairman of Frome Civic Society : *Frome in the Future In the past 12 months things have happened that will affect the town for years to come. These will include Mendip District Council’s consultation on the provision of 2,500 new homes; proposals for developing Saxonvale & Garsdale; appraisal of Conservation areas as well as other issues shaping the future of the town.

Tea and Biscuits to follow the talk. 

Apr 18th Talk by the Abbot of Downside, Dom Aidan Bellinger       N.B. Venue TBA

An asterisk * denotes talk organised by Frome Civic Society

We have many books available

FSLS also has links with Frome Museum

Frome Society for Local Study is a Registered Charity No. 292340