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“The Importance of Local Listing” Webinar with Mary Andrews

What buildings are important to our life and culture? And how do we preserve them for the future? The Local Heritage List (LHL) is different to the national list and focuses on the exceptional places which enrich Somerset and Exmoor National Park.  Mary will talk about how you can contribute to this exciting project. To […]

Family Halloween Tour of Taunton

Wyndham Hall Castle Green, Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom

Halloween Taunton Tour A guided spooky walk through central Taunton. We cannot promise ghosts and spectres but we will give a guided tour of the more bloodthirsty parts of Taunton’s history. Suitable for adults and accompanied children. Halloween fancy dress optional Monday 31st October 6pm to 7pm. Meet at Wyndham Hall, Glass Bridge, Castle Green, […]

Personal Experiences of Watching Birds at Chew Valley Lake for Sixty Years by Andy Davis

Wells and Mendip Museum 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset

Andy, as you can see from the title of his talk, has been a frequent visitor to Chew Valley Lake since he was a school boy. His involvement in bird watching also extends to being an editor of the Avon Birds Report in the past. Meetings are held in The Lecture Hall at Wells & […]

“Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor” by Andrew Lownie

Birchall Hall, Queens College Trull Road, Taunton, United Kingdom

An 2022-23 Historical Association event This is the story of a Royal shut out by his family and forced into exile; of the Nazi attempts to recruit the Duke to their cause, and of why the Duke, as Governor of the Bahamas, tried to shut down the investigation of the murder of a close friend. […]

Fungi Foray with Steve Parker

Rodney Stoke NNR Cheddar

Fungi Foray at Rodney Stoke National Nature Reserve Meet at farm car park on Scadden’s Lane at 10.30am. ST488502.  (Cheddar, BS27 3UT) Bring walking boots suitable clothing and a packed lunch which will be taken on site.  Note: There is a steep walk to site and limited parking so please car share.   Book place by […]

“The Victorian Head Gardener” by Dr Francis Burroughes

Tintinhull Village Hall Vicarage Street, Tintinhull, Somerset

"The Victorian Head Gardener" by Dr Francis Burroughes Tintinhull Local History Group Autumn 2022 Programme Coffee available from 7.15pm with presentation from 7.30pm Cost: £3 Venue: Tintinhull Village Hall

“China Comes to Wells” Webinar with Oliver Kent

The discovery of a very large quantity of pottery dumped in the early 19 th century into a backfilled cellar behind the Wells Museum was unexpected. Many of the 750+ vessels were complete when disposed of and cover a period from the mid-17th century to the end of the 18 th centuries. Mostly day to […]

Broken Angels – Scandal at Glastonbury Abbey in 1408 by Rev. Dr. Mark Hutchinson

Wells and Mendip Museum 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset

Mark has studied the social history of the monks of Glastonbury Abbey. He will give an account of the scandal in 1408 and ask the audience to help him solve the crime. Meetings are held in The Lecture Hall at Wells & Mendip Museum. Admission FREE for members. Visitors £2.00    

“What Makes a British Hero?” by Sean Brunton

Birchall Hall, Queens College Trull Road, Taunton, United Kingdom

An 2022-23 Historical Association event "A Real hero is one who exhibits extraordinary bravery and spirit" writes the author in the introduction to his book, 'Six of the Best'. People have made heroes of individuals in all societies throughout history. This talk explains how heroes emerge as exemplars of the customs and norms of their […]

“A Genealogical Detective Story” by Clive Barker

Tintinhull Village Hall Vicarage Street, Tintinhull, Somerset

"A Genealogical Detective Story" by Clive Barker Tintinhull Local History Group Autumn 2022 Programme Coffee available from 7.15pm with presentation from 7.30pm Cost: £3 Venue: Tintinhull Village Hall

“The Crisis of Meritocracy: How Popular Demand Made Britain a Mass Education Society” by Professor Peter Mandler

Birchall Hall, Queens College Trull Road, Taunton, United Kingdom

An 2022-23 Historical Association event Before the Second World War, only 115 of young people had any experience of secondary school and hardly 1-2% of higher education; today of course everyone goes to secondary school for up to 7 years and half of all young people go on to higher education. How did we get […]

GRADING OF WALKS

Events are graded from 1-4 in difficulty. The grading is found in the event description in the calendar on this page. Keep in mind that a change in weather conditions can make a walk more difficult than anticipated. All walks and activities demand a basic level of fitness, suitable footwear and waterproof clothing.

1 Easy – generally even ground with a few gentle slopes; no special fitness needed.  Comfortable footwear required.

2 Moderate – for reasonably fit people, may include unsurfaced rural paths and tracks, moderate slopes, uneven surfaces, steps and stiles. Walking shoes/boots required.

3 Strenuous – for fit, experienced walkers, will include hills, uneven surfaces, tracks and may include muddy terrain. Walking boots and waterproof clothing are essential.

4 Confined spaces – including caves and attics. Locations may be dusty, slippery and dark.

Activity leaders carry out a risk assessment beforehand. Participants are required to provide emergency contact details before taking part in an activity – this information is destroyed by the group leader after the activity has taken place.