Programme and Talks for 2024

Talks are held at the Conquest theatre in Bromyard unless otherwise specified – all are welcome, members free, guests £6.00.  It would be helpful if you can pre-book before the event through the theatre booking system. This saves queuing at the box office before the start of the talk. Even though there is no charge for members, a complete list of those attending is required for fire safety reasons. Members will receive an email with a password allowing free booking. Book online:  https://conquest-theatre.co.uk   or Tel: 01885 488575 – Saturday and Wednesday mornings.

 

Speaker History Society Events 2024 Date Booked Comment
 
Graham Collins The Evolution of Policing in the UK – The origins of social control (policing) can be traced back to Alfred the Great and in certain cultures further back. 13-Mar-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
Tim Maynard The World’s Oldest Independent Railway: The Ffestiniog railway. Part2 – Revival, Expansion and Heritage 10-Apr-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
James Wright Historic Building Mythbusting – Go to any ancient building and there will be interesting, exciting, and romantic stories presented to the visitor. They are commonly believed and widely repeated – but are they really true? These stories include those of secret passages linking ancient buildings, spiral staircases in castles giving advantage to right-handed defenders, ship timbers used in the construction of buildings on land, blocked doors in churches which are thought to keep the Devil out and claims to be the oldest pub in the city. James will explain the development of such myths and investigate the underlying truths behind them. Sometimes the realities hiding behind the stories are even more interesting, romantic, and exciting than the myth itself… 08-May-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
Summer programme Visit to Worcester Cathedral library – A rare opportunity to see this little-known library 12-Jun-24
Summer programme Visit to Kyre Park – guided tour of the house (not open to the public), tythe barn, dovecot, church and the Capability Brown designed gardens. Tea and cakes provided 10 -Jul-24 Car Sharing – meet at the Conquest car park
Summer programme Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings – Behind the scenes tour of a grade 1 listed building – A remarkable piece of engineering built in 1797, which is known as the grandparent of the skyscraper. 14-Aug-24 Limited to 12 people
Summer programme Gloucester History Festival – Heritage Day. Dozens of events, talks and walks in medieval Gloucester.  Sept-24 Dates to be confirmed
Denise North The Herefordshire Horde – Some may have been to see the Hoard in Hereford or at least seen the replicas and heard parts of the story during one of the community open days in 2022.  The story rolls on.  So history hardly ever happens?  Think again 11-Sep-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
Summer wine & nibbles
You are invited for a glass of wine and nibbles and the draw for the Summer Raffle.
There will be a chance to purchase books and the new exhibition ” Made in Bromyard & District” will be open.
14-Sep-24 Local Family and History Centre, Sherford St
Family History Open Day Family history open day at the LHS – come along and let us help you with your queries. Herefordshire Family History Society will also be in attendance. Click on poster to enlarge. 05-oct-24 Local Family and History Centre, Sherford St
10.30 – 4.00pm
Will Motley This lecture will look at some rare examples of 18th century Chinese porcelain made for the West with European designs copied from prints taken to China and the long and fascinating journey made by the prints and the porcelain. It will include a brief history of the growth of the trade between China and Europe and will include some new discoveries yet to be published. One piece discussed, which may be familiar to Herefordshire residents, is a very rare Chinese porcelain punchbowl with a naval battle at Berrington Hall.
Will Motley is an independent scholar of China Trade Decorative Arts and has written nineteen catalogues for Cohen & Cohen, international dealers in export porcelain, as well as a reference book on Chinese export figures, Mandarin & Menagerie (2008).Book online here  the password for free booking will be emailed to members before the event.
09-Oct-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
Clare Wichbold The long life and fascinating times of Constance Radcliffe Cooke. 13-Nov-24 Conquest Theatre – 19.30hrs
AGM Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the Falcon Hotel at 19:30. All members are very welcome. Agenda to follow. 18-Nov-24 Falcon Hotel – 19.30hrs