Talks, Presentations, Walks, Visits and Other Events for 2025
All talks take place in Church House on Bathwell Lane unless otherwise stated, starting at 7.30pm and last for approximately an hour. We ask for a suggested donation of £2 per member & £5 per non-member. Guided tours are free but donations are always welcome!
2025
Monday 20th October: An Audience with Mary Clothier. It would be rude to mention the age of this formidable First Lady of Milborne Port! Suffice to say, she has a long lifetime of stories to share, and even though the idea is for her to be encouraged to talk about her memories in a type of chat-show format, we imagine that once she gets going, there will be no need for prompts! Joining her with his contributions will be another village veteran, Dave King, whose family has lived in the village for hundreds of years. Come for what will no doubt be a fascinating walk down long-memory lane with these Milborne Port characters…
Our talk on Monday 17th November is entitled ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary Deeds’. Just a week after Remembrance Sunday, we will hear from local amateur historian James Plummer; he has researched and traced the paths taken by several servicemen and women who either lived locally or are relatives of current local residents. This talk focuses on their individual experiences during some of the lesser known yet significant events of WW2, where three of their paths found them taking part in the North African campaign from El Alamein to the collapse of all Axis forces in Tunisia. And then onto Italy – Monte Cassino and the fall of Rome – where the same three people’s stories intertwined even further. At the same time on the other side of the world, we follow the journey of an officer fighting the Japanese in Burma – formerly a commando in the early years of the war – taking part in a raid on the French coast, as well as one in North Africa. We conclude with the story of James’ own grandfather and another local man at Arnhem as well as at Operation Doomsday, the almost unknown liberation of Norway that took place on VE Day. We will also learn of a wonderful nurse who was behind the frontlines during the battles at Alamein and Casino.
No talk in December.
2026
Monday 19th January: Charlotte Carty presents: ‘In my Grandfather’s Footsteps’
This is a repeat of the highly moving and engaging talk that Charlotte gave on 10th May 2025 as part of our VE Day Commemorations. It was so good that we are offering it again to those who missed it or for those who would like to hear it again!
The talk will cover the exploits of Lt Col Brown, the grandfather of a current Milborne Port resident, during his days fighting in the Far East in World War Two. As we commemorate VE Day, we should remember that, for the men and women serving in the Far East, their war was far from over. The talk will provide a brief overview of the fighting in India and Burma and also recount the adventures of the family of Lt Col Brown last year as they re-created the Assam Regiment’s 77 mile, 39-hour, non-stop march in the Naga Hills of N E India where the regiment helped to halt the Japanese advance into India.
When You Go Home
Tell Them of Us and Say
For Your Tomorrow
We Gave Our Today’
The Kohima epitaph.
Monday 16th February: Alastair Braidwood – Dorchester born-and-bred folk singer Alastair performs traditional and modern folk songs from Dorsetshire and further afield, pared back to the simple unaccompanied voice. There shall be some rousing choruses, so make sure to bring your own voice to help along!
Monday 17th March: Tythe Barns – Joe Rogers.
Monday 20th April: Elizabeth Lammas & Dr Caroline Rutter present: Mary Caroline Tyler, née Southcombe, a true daughter of Milborne Port who certainly did her bit to help bring the war to an end, mentioned in Debrett’s for her achievements. Though not in uniform as her siblings were, she ‘led a group of uniformed Wrens in Hut 7’ at Bletchley Park, but of course could not tell anyone that for 50 years! Her husband, Mr FL Tyler, was a veteran of the D-Day landings. A full and fascinating life.
Saturday 9th May: At the early stages of planning… Milborne Port Then & Now as part of a Milborne Port: Community Matters event at the Village Hall
Monday 20th June: Raleigh, the Digbys & Sherborne Castle with Bill McDermott
Monday 20th July: An ‘on location’ talk at Charlton Horethorne’s Church of St Peter & St Paul.
Monday August 17th: New material about the architecture of South Street and Church Street, plus the early 18th century poet, Elizabeth Singer Rowe and her connections with an address on Church Street, with Nathalie Hetherington and Hugh Vincent.
Monday 31st August: Bank Holiday Monday guided walk of South Street and Church Street, in connection with the talk of 17th August.
Monday 21st September: The Gloving Industry in Milborne Port, with April Walker.
Monday 19th October: Stories and anecdotes from the Church School records, with Roger Cowley and Nicki Edwards, with contributions from Mary Clothier.
Sunday 8th November: Open afternoon at the Chapel Museum with James Plummer and WW2 artefacts and memorabilia.
No talk in December.
Chapel Museum
Every Summer we open the Museum every Sunday afternoon 2.30 pm-4.00 pm from the end of May to the end of August. However, if you would like to arrange a private visit at any other time, please contact Lesley Wray: lesmik71@gmail.com.
Can you help? Do you have a few hours to spare one Sunday afternoon (2.30-4.00 pm) next Summer? The museum will be open to the public with a member of the Committee on duty but it would great to have another history-minded person to keep us company. If you are willing, please let us know by contacting Lesley Wray: lesmik71@gmail.com.
If you have a specific interest you would like us to investigate we would love to hear from you so please do get in touch with us at mphhgroup@gmail.com
Please join our Facebook group so that we can keep you updated regarding all of our activities.