Events
There's always lots happening at the History Centre including:
Talks and lectures
Courses
Exhibitions
Events and Activities
- Thursday 22nd January 2015 - Tying the Knot: Marriage Customs in Wiltshire in the 16th & 17th Centuries with Steve Hobbs New Lecture - A comprehensive look at the wedding ritual using documented examples from our archives.
- Thursday 29th January 2015 - Stories from the Lacock Archives with Ally McConnell FREE Lecture. Illuminating anecdotes discovered in the Lacock Archives which give us a great view of the village and those who resided there. Free Lecture but you will need a ticket.
- Thursday 12th February 2015 - Wiltshire & Swindon's Rotten Boroughs: some 18th & 19th century elections with Terry Bracher. New Lecture - Using local examples of these 'Rotten Boroughs', Terry will demonstrate how controversial elections were during this time.
- Thursday 26th February 2015 - King Alfred & the Origins of Chippenham with Mike Stone
New Lecture - Explore the Anglo-Saxon world that descended upon Chippenham and learn how the great Wessex King shaped the town. - Thursday 12th March 2015 - Early Photography & Old Photographs with Mike Marshman- a talk followed by FREE Old Photograph Workshop - Interpreting old photographs, a guide to dating them from clothing and style, bring your own old photos to the free workshop afterwards.
- Thursday 26th March 2015 - Settlement Papers with Robert Jago New Lecture - Between the reigns of Charles II and William IV, the records generated by the Settlement Laws can provide unique insight into the lives of our ancestors.
- Thursday 16th April 2015 - Recent Discoveries in the Deverills with Dorothy Treasure New Lecture - Dorothy explores the historic buildings of the Deverills in the south of our county, using documents, maps and photographs from the archives.
- Thursday 30th April 2015 - Looking at a Village- learning from the Landscape with Mike Marshman - A guide to interpreting a typical Wiltshire village, Mike will help you unravel the past using local knowledge, maps and documents.
All Lunchtime Lectures are from 1.15 to 1.45p.m. You can eat your lunch during the lecture, we provide a water cooler and a hot drinks vending machine. Tickets are £1.50 per lecture - pay on the door or buy tickets in advance from the History Centre
All other talks begin at 2.15 pm. Admission £3.50 (concessions £2.50). Spaces are limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Telephone 01249 705500 or visit our Help Desk at the History Centre. (Payment by credit/debit card or cheque available for the purchase of 2 or more tickets).
There are no courses at present but please come back to see what will be on offer
Wednesday 3rd December 2014 - Friday 9th January 2015: Photographs inspired by Lacocok Abbey and its archives, created by Wiltshire People 1st.
As part of the Lacock Unlocked project, Wiltshire People 1st participated in three digital photography workshops, supported by the History Centre and the National Trust Lacock Abbey. Wiltshire People 1st support adults with learning difficulties to live independently in the community and this fantastic activity introduced group members to digital photography for the first time as they worked with award winning photographer and film-maker Jamie McDine to create some stunning images of Lacock.
Chippenham Creative Writing Group - Leisure and Games
- For adults, led by a professional writer
- All genres – novels, short stories, poetry, play writing, new media
- Using historical artefacts and documents as inspiration
Where: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN
When: Saturday Mornings, 10am-1pm, on 3 January, 17 January, 31 January, 14 February, 28 February and 14 March 2015
Cost: £20 for 8 x 3 hour sessions, plus expert mentoring
For more information T: 01249 705531 or E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.wiltshire.gov.uk/arts
To book, T: 01249 705500 or E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Writer in Residence, Liz Greenfield
Our final Writer in Residence session at the History Centre for the successful Arts Council funded ‘Now in Then’ contemporary writing from history project is comic/graphic novelist Liz Greenfield.
Liz Greenfield is a Dutch/American writer, cartoonist, and spoken word artist based in London. Over the past decade she has worked as independent creator of the award-winning webcomic Stuff Sucks and on print comnics for Dark Horse and Marvel. Her most recent graphic novel with Drastic Productions, The Compendium of Superheroes and Alter Egos, is now available.
So come along and meet her, ask her about your writing questions and receive advice and ideas on how to turn your research into creative writing. Get lost in the archives and find out more about using the History Centre as an inspirational resource.
Where: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN
When: Thursday 22 January, 11am-3pm
Cost: Free event
Author Talk: The Roman Panel
Ben Kane, Ruth Downie and M.C Scott
Join three inspirational, bestselling authors for an unforgettable evening of exploration into the Roman Empire. Inspired by the Romans, our expert panel have, between them, written more than twenty novels set in ancient times.
Tap into the breadth of their shared knowlegde, see real artefacts, ask questions and become inspired to research and write yourself. The Roman Panel is being held among the rich archives, linking up with the Archaeology team to deliver a great event.
Where: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN
When: Thursday 5 March, 7-8pm
Cost: Tickets £5
To book and pay in advance, T: 01249 705500 or E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please note capacity is limited, so early booking is advised.
Please keep checking here for future events and activities.
