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!
2026
Monday 16th March: We are delighted to be welcoming backJoe Rogers, whom we first met in March 2025 when he entertained and informed us so eloquently and with such enthusiasm about the West Somerset Railway. This time, Tithe Barns. Joe is the author of Tithe Barns and Railway Enthusiasm in Twenty-first-century Britain. He visited his first tithe barn in 2014 and in 2019 spent the year exploring over 100 barns across the UK, from Cornwall to Scotland, Wales to Kent and everywhere in between. In this talk he will cover the general history of these buildings, showcasing some local Somerset and Dorset examples.
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 25th May: A guided walk with Dr Lesley Wray of the area of the ancient borough on the south side of the A30, including the Church. Time to be arranged.
Monday 15th 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.