Talks, Presentations, Walks, Visits and Other Events for 2024
Saturday 11th May – Milborne Port History Day. Click here to download a copy of the programme or scroll down!
Monday May 20th – The Barter Story – Howard Pell. Could there really be a connection between a house in Baunton’s Orchard; the playwright Oscar Wilde; Madison Square Garden in New York; and several world champion boxers? It may not quite be ‘The X-files’ but as the saying goes, the truth is out there. And it’s all set to be revealed at Church House on Monday, 20th May. That’s when historian Howard Pell will be telling a surprising story, revealing new research, and introducing a local hero to Milborne Port. So, if you know a Barter, or a Fudge, or a Cabell, or a Hallett – or better still, are related to someone with those familiar local surnames – this talk is not to be missed, as you might just have ‘a modern Hercules’ in the family. Or maybe you’re just plain curious to know about a local boy made good – one who had been all but forgotten on this side of the Atlantic.
Monday June 17th – The Village of Stowell and the Church of St Mary Magdalene
Monday July 15th – Walls, Balls and Courts! – John Ashton. The story of the development of ball
courts and the game of Fives in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.
Moonday August 19th – Museum Artefacts – The Best Bits – Committee members
Monday September 16th – The Portable Antiquities Scheme – Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen
Monday October 21st – Milborne Ports Pubs and Inns – Committee members
Further dates to follow.
All talks take place in Church House on Bathwell Lane, starting at 7.30pm and last for approximately an hour. We ask for a suggested donation of £2 per member & £5 per non-member.
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Milborne Port History Day – Saturday 11th May 2024
– a celebration of the rich cultural, social, architectural and industrial history of our lovely village:
Here is the programme of events for the day! We feel confident that there will be something for everyone, so why not start planning your day right now!
The day will be heralded by the church bells as a team from Southampton come to ring at the Church of St John the Evangelist.
At Church House: 10am-4pm
A display of local maps and other documents, including the original architectural designs for Kingsbury House (once Windy Ridge), 100 years after it was built; the current owners will be on hand to talk about the house and the designs from 10am-12 & 2-4pm.
Also on show, the 3D model of the area produced by Milborne Port Primary School, and a slide show about the development of roads and maps.
A chance to record your own memories of life in Milborne Port.
A sandpit for children to discover the joys of metal detecting – weather permitting.
Milborne Port History & Heritage Booklets and other items on sale.
At The Church of St John the Evangelist: 10am-4pm
Explore the church using our new brief guide.
Children can try out our Church History Trail.
Look at the old Church registers and other documents.
Watch the DVD ‘Milborne Port Now and Then.’
Chat to people who know the history of the building, parts of which are Anglo-Saxon.
The Town Hall
The Library will open at 9am as usual, with a display on the history of the Library in the village, and a display of children’s art on the theme of ‘Olden Days’ will be on show.
10am-4pm The WI coffee shop will be open.
10am-1pm A demonstration of weaving and spinning for the children.
10am-4pm The Council Chamber (upstairs) with the Parish Clerk on hand to talk about the building, and a slide show on the history of the Market House/Town Hall
The Guildhall
Open from 2pm-4pm; pre-booked entry via Secretary only for 30-minute visit (members have priority); some early Church School records on display.
The Organ Museum Open from 11am-12.30pm and 2-3.30pm.
The Museum, Wheathill Lane, Open from 2.30-4.00pm
The Old Mill in Lower Kingsbury 1.30pm-3.30pm. Open Garden where the owners will talk about their 18th century property.
Plum Tree Cottage in Lower Kingsbury, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Open Garden where the owners will talk about the history of the cottage.
The Tippling Philosopher Open from 9.30am onwards for Refreshments & Information.
All events are free, but donations are appreciated.
Spread the word and don’t plan to do anything else on the day! 😉
To find out about the walks, talks and activities that have already taken place, follow this link: http://milborneporthistory.org.uk/past-events/
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.