​2024

Wednesday 11 September

Julian Gee – Cruise Lines Speaker

“Do you know who I am?”

An intriguing look into how people become ‘celebrities’, the influence of media and a look at well-known faces and those who enjoyed their ‘15 minutes of fame’.

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Wednesday 9 October

Juliet ten Doeschate – Wildlife photographer

"Beauty and the Beast"

An amazing and beautiful photographic journal of bugs, butterflies and other invertebrates in a Wiltshire Garden.

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Wednesday 13 November

Joe Cameron – Director of Firework Effects Salisbury

"Fireworks and Explosives"

The history of fireworks and explosives. Spectacular displays at public events, visual effects for the film industry and big bangs for the military and how they are put together.

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Wednesday 11 December

Christmas Social

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2025

Wednesday 8 January​

The talk originally planned for January was rescheduled to March. In its place and at late notice, Terry Ereira gave a talk 'Pie and Mash and Jellied Eels'.

Details in the review further down this page.

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Wednesday 12 February

Wayne Newport – Actor, Director and Presenter

"Pantomime – a classic British tradition"

From its earliest origins in the Middle Ages through to the lavish productions of today, we journey through fact and fiction and the traditions of this popular entertainment.

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NOTE THE CHANGE OF DAY AND TIMING FOR THE MARCH TALK

Thursday 13 March - 2pm start 

Christine Mason – Historian & Salisbury Museum

"Viscountess Frances ‘Fanny’ Nelson"

The much-maligned wife of Lord Nelson remained devoted to him despite their estrangement and his open co-habitation with Emma Hamilton.

This talk is very much in her own words and those of Lord Nelson and supporting characters.  Note - this talk has been rescheduled from its original January date.

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​Wednesday 9 April 

Ruth Newman – Local historian

"Laverstock Lunatic Asylum 1781-1955 – a kindly tradition"

175 years of mental health care in the local area.

Wednesday 14 May

AGM followed by

Ruby de Vitorino – Local historian, novelist and script writer

"1769 – Strange Tales from the Salisbury Journal"

Ruby explores the format of the newspaper and the fascinating range of reports covering everything from a horseless carriage service, overheard ‘criminal conversations’, stolen canaries, a restaurant review (and more) that give a glimpse into what life was like in 1769 - and it is often very surprising.                                                                                     

​Wednesday 11 June

Dr Francis Burroughes – Expert on the history of glass

"The Wonderful World of Glass"

From his own collection, Dr Burroughes brings historic and valuable items of glass for members to examine for themselves as he illustrates the history of Glassmaking from 3000BC to the present day.

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​Wednesday 9 July

Summer Social - home entertainment