Local history groups
We meet at the Methodist Hall on the first Wednesday of each month from October to April with guest speakers on topics as diverse as The Severn Channel during the Ice Age and Concorde. In Summer we usually have two or three field trips, often following up talks given during the previous winter. Visitors are always welcomed and, more often than not, recruited.
SGMRG is a voluntary organisation that relies on grants and donations from local people. Our membership is made up of archaeologists, surveyors, historians, engineers, cavers and those simply interested in finding more about what lies under their feet.
We have regular meetings, walks and talks including the opportunity to get involved in exploration, archaeology and resotoration work. If you would like more information contact the Chairman Roger Gosling by email or on 01454 883607.
Email:
Email:
Thornbury and District Museum, Chapel Street, Thornbury
This exhibition runs from 5 November 2011 to April 2012, and the Museum is open 1pm-4pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.
In November 2011, the museum celebrated its 25th birthday and we are having a special Silver Jubilee Exhibition to mark the occasion. We have been busy choosing 25 objects (or groups of objects) which aren't normally on show and which we think give a taste of the museum's collection. It's been hard whittling it down to 25! The chosen objects will be on display throughout the museum, encouraging you to explore each room.
We don't want to give too much away but here are some hints of what you can expect to see....
... parts of the Littleton Whale of 1885.
... the link between Mary Bruton (whose collection of local historical objects formed the core of our museum collection) and Donald Campbell, land and water speed record breaker.
...the Little and Large of the bible world.
... and the device which prevented crashes on the Yate to Thornbury railway line.
www.thornburymuseum.org.uk
10am, meet at the kissing gate entrance to the Fishponds on Manor Walk
It is planned to carry out coppicing, path clearance and removal of any litter that has accumulated.
As always, please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Be prepared for wet and muddy conditions. Strong gloves are also recommended.
Dave has a "slasher", 2 loppers and some litter pickers. Allan Burberry will also be bringing some tools.
For more information, please contact Dave Rowley on 01454 412941 or by email below.
www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Email:
7.30pm, St Mary's Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury
Hot Off The Press – Thornbury from Victorian and Early 20th Century Newspapers, by Meg Wise
Please click below for more information.
www.mythornbury.co.uk/thornbury_s...
10am-1pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Court Farm, Church Lane, Winterbourne BS36 1SE
Winterbourne Medieval Barn Force is a small crew of dedicated friends who enjoy improving and maintaining the physical aspects of the barn and its immediate environment. We work as a group one Saturday a month, rain or shine, with a tea and coffee break somewhere in the middle.
If you would like to join us in this often satisfying work, please just show up and pitch in. Everyone is welcome.
www.winterbournebarn.org.uk
7.30pm, Alveston Methodist Church
With Mrs Martin.
www.alveston.org/alveston/local_h...
10am-4pm, meet at Sheiling School, Park Road, Thornbury BS35 1HP
Friends of Park Farm Medieval Fishponds have arranged an archaeological survey of two of the historic ponds within the Sheiling School estate.
The details of this event are yet to be finalised. However it is likely to be of another pond on land owned by Camphill Communities Thornbury (of which the Sheiling School is part). The good news is that this pond is DRY.
The survey will be led by Paul Driscoll (the South Gloucestershire Council Community Archaeologist). Training will be provide under the auspices of the SCARP initiative, a Heritage Lottery Funded project to help local groups research their historic environment.
Participants should bring packed lunches and drinks. A room will be provided for lunch breaks, and toilet facilities will be available. As this investigation is taking place in the Winter it is very weather dependent. Suitable clothing and footwear are essential. In the event that the weather prevents work on site, we will be looking into what can be done to occupy the time we are unable to work.
For more information, please contact Dave Rowley on 01454 412941 or by email below. He will email interested parties with more details nearer the date.
Email:
7.30pm, The Methodist Hall, The Street, Olveston BS35 4DR
Prof. Tom James has advised Melvyn Bragg and Bettany Hughes on the Black Death and contributed to Radio 4’s ‘This Scepter’d Isle’. He will give us an illustrated talk on “The Greatest Catastrophe in Recorded History: The Black Death of 1348-50” which, according to modern scholarship, killed over 50% of the population of Europe. His wide-ranging talk will include the impacts of the plague on art and architecture, on the economy and on the mentality of the people of the time.
Existing and new members are very welcome, as are visitors.
Annual membership and entry to the entire season of talks: £5, payable at the door.
Entry to single talk: £2, payable at the door.
www.olveston.com/historical-society
7.30pm, St Mary's Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury
Victorian Education in Thornbury, by Tony Cherry
Please click below for more information.
www.mythornbury.co.uk/thornbury_s...
10am-1pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Court Farm, Church Lane, Winterbourne BS36 1SE
Winterbourne Medieval Barn Force is a small crew of dedicated friends who enjoy improving and maintaining the physical aspects of the barn and its immediate environment. We work as a group one Saturday a month, rain or shine, with a tea and coffee break somewhere in the middle.
If you would like to join us in this often satisfying work, please just show up and pitch in. Everyone is welcome.
www.winterbournebarn.org.uk
7.30pm AGM, 9pm-ish Talk, Miners' Institute, Coalpit Heath (on A432, south side, sign says CH Village Hall)
AGM followed by short talk: 10 Years of SGMRG in Pictures by Roger Gosling.
For more information please ring Roger Gosling on 01454 883607 or email below.
www.sgmrg.co.uk
Email:
7.30pm, Alveston Methodist Church
With Gill Garrett.
www.alveston.org/alveston/local_h...
7.30pm, The Methodist Hall, The Street, Olveston BS35 4DR
John Loosley, an energetic and lively local historian, will be telling us about his researches into “Childhood Employment in Gloucestershire”. He has looked into child workers in the Forest of Dean and the textile mills of Stroud.
Existing and new members are very welcome, as are visitors.
Annual membership and entry to the entire season of talks: £5, payable at the door.
Entry to single talk: £2, payable at the door.
www.olveston.com/historical-society
