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
Easter Monday 6th April: Preview opening of museum to see what’s new! 2.30-4 pm.
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. This is a repeat of the highly moving and engaging talk that Elizabeth and Caroline 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!
Saturday 9th May: ‘Milborne Port: Community Matters’ event at the Village Hall. Display of the 1817 pre-enclosure and 1839 tithes map and others, and a slide show of photographs/images of the village over the years. Camelot Room, 10am – 2.30pm.
Sunday 24th May: Summer opening of museum, every Sunday up to and including Sunday 30th August, 2.30-4 pm.
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. Meet at 7 pm at the Ball Court on the High Street.
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 21st September: The Gloving Industry in Milborne Port, with Lesley Wray and Liz Lammas.
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.
2026
Monday 15th February: In this informal talk, Juliet Braidwood will demonstrate how women of two different ranks might have dressed in the 1530, discussing the different layers of dress, their use, and their context. (Juliet is the wife of Alastair Braidwood who entertained us last February with his songs about rural life and knitting!)
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.