Stratford sub Castle Guild 2026-2027 Programme

The Guild meets in the Reading Room, Stratford Road SP1 3LL

Wednesday evenings, doors open at 7.15 pm with meetings starting at 7.30 pm except in January & February when the Guild meets on Thursdays afternoons doors open at 1.45 pm for 2 pm start.

Details in the programme below.

2026

Wednesday 9 September

Speaker - Miranda Pender - 'Censored'

The intriguing tale of Norah James and the obscenity trial of 1929.

There is a REVIEW of this talk in the newsposts below.

Wednesday 14 October

Speaker - Phil Whitemore - ' Unsung Heroes - Animals in War'.

More details about the talk are in the newspost below.

Wednesday 11 November

Speaker - Dr Martin Radf'ord - 'Swallow & Amazons and the Russian Revolution

Wednesday 9 December

Christmas Social

2027

Thursday 14 January - note change of day and 2 pm start

Speaker - Robert Bone - 'The History of Magic'

Thursday 11 February - note change of day and 2 pm start

Speaker - Patrick Kempe - 'Lights, Camera, Action!'

Wednesday 10 March

Speaker - Ruth Newman - 'The Young Turner (artist) in Salisbury'

Wednesday 14 April

Speaker - Ian Budniak - Britain - A place in the sun

Britain's 18th century involvement in the Balearics

Wednesday 12 May

AGM followed by Peter Westmacott - 'Growing up in the 50s'

Wednesday 9 June

Summer Social

Enquiries: Jenny Stone

Tel: 07511 226828 Email jstraceystone@hotmail.com

View Membership Details for the Guild here

guild June 2024

Guild News & Reviews for 2026-2027 season, filtered from the News Page

Unveiling the Refurbished Noticeboard

The newly refurbished village noticeboard was officially unveiled on the 9 September 2026 before the first meeting of the new 2026-27 Guild season, by local councillor John Wells and Elizabeth Byford, a long-standing resident and currently the oldest Guild member. Witnessing the unveiling were Steve Mayall and his original build team, the current Guild committee, and Barbara Mayall (Guild Chair in 2016 when the noticeboard was erected). The Guild hopes the noticeboard continu

Sep 19

Stratford Guild 14 October talk - 'Unsung Heroes - Animals in War'

The next meeting of the Stratford sub Castle Guild will take place on Wednesday 14 October at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room, Stratford Road, SP1 3LL when Phil Whitemore will be speaking on the topic 'Unsung Heroes - Animals in War'. From ancient times, animals have served the armed forces in wartime. The speaker will be explaining how they have been cared for and recognised with awards and memorials. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the talk will be followed by the usual tea/coffee/bi

Sep 18

Stratford Guild's REVIEW of Wednesday 9 September talk

'Censored' - speaker Miranda Pender Norah James Miranda told us of the intriguing tale of Norah C. James (a late member of her wider family) and the obscenity trial of 1929. Norah was born in London in 1895, into a wealthy, but disjointed family. She was left with a very negative view of marriage. She was also deeply affected by a history of mental health in her family. Before taking up writing Norah had numerous careers including as a nurse during the First World War

Sep 9

Village Noticeboard back in use

The Village Noticeboard is now back in use. It is used by our local Groups to advertise their events and also - subject to space being available - for posters published by local charities and not for profit organisations. Printed posters can be left in the folder kept in the porch at School House, Stratford Road. Original Newspost dated 26 July 2026 As announced in the latest Parish Magazine, the Village Noticeboard is to be refurbished. It was built and donated to Stratfo

Aug 14

Stratford sub Castle Guild

After a summer break, our 2026-27 season will begin on Wednesday 9 September. Full details of our new programme will be published in the September edition of the Parish magazine and here on the village website. The Guild is a friendly group that meets on the 2nd Wednesday** of each month from September to June for a varied programme of talks and social events. Recent topics have included ‘The Woman who saved the Nation’, ‘Responding to Disasters’, ‘Artificial Intelligence –

Jul 13

Look back to the Guild's 2025-2026 season

Guild Membership details are here