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 […]
We plan to leave the Conquest car park at 9.00am on Thursday 12th June. This will be a car sharing trip, so please let David Grant, our programme secretary know if you will have spare seats or require a lift. We hope to have a guided tour of the Priory, plus a visit to the […]
WWII – 80 YEARS ON THE END OF THE WAR – On May 8th 1945, World War II in Europe came to an end. As the news of Germany’s surrender reached the rest of the world, joyous crowds gathered to celebrate in the streets of Bromyard, clutching newspapers that declared Victory in Europe, V-E Day. The […]
Over 700 years ago, the United Guilds of Warwick built their headquarters consisting of a conference room, banqueting hall, mansion for the Master of the Guilds, storage rooms and lodgings for travellers. The Guildsmen built this splendid example of medieval half-timbered buildings with trees felled in the 1200’s from forests across England. Today, the site […]
Violette Szabo was a secret agent working for the Special Operations Executive during World War II. Violette took on special missions behind enemy lines following the death of her French officer husband at the Battle of El Alamein and because of her bravery was awarded the George Cross (the first woman to receive the award) […]
Dozens of events, talks and walks in medieval Gloucester. More information from GHF
A talk by Richard Willmott, a retired headmaster of the Dixie Grammar School and Chairman of the Traherne Association. Thomas Traherne lived in Hereford as a boy during the sieges of the Civil War. After studying at Oxford, he became rector of Credenhill and an extraordinarily prolific writer and poet. Only a small amount of […]
A talk by Dr David Parsons, Director of the Survey of English Place-Names, and Reader in the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. In 2026 the English Place-Name Society will be publishing a new study of the place-names of the county, principally the work of the late Mr John Freeman. This […]
At the Falcon Hotel – Oak Room. Members will receive agenda and supporting documents by email prior to this.
In 1986, Mike Thexton travelled to Pakistan to say goodbye to his brother, who died in the Karakoram Himalaya three years before. On the way home, his plane was hijacked at Karachi, and he was singled out as a British passport holder to be the next person to be shot. He tells the story of […]
Archival films from the 1930s–1960s highlight the British motor industry, featuring Austin, Morris, and early Land Rover vehicles. Notably, a 1954 film covers the Rallye des Alpes with the TR2 competing against Sunbeam Alpines, including one driven by Stirling Moss. An evening not to be missed. Members free, guests £6.
Talks are held at the Conquest theatre in Bromyard unless otherwise specified – everyone is welcome; members free, guests £6.00.