Radstock Museum runs a series of TALKS.
Bygone Days talks celebrate both local and national history. These talks are often held at The Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton but please check the details carefully for each talk below.
Autumn 2024 Season: Bygone Days Talks confirmed.
October 1st At the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton at 7.30m. Admission £5
The Trafalgar Way by Kathy Brown of the 1805 Club.
With Trafalgar Day celebrated annually on October 21st, this month’s timely Bygone Days Talk will bring you the fascinating and at times dramatic history of the immediate aftermath of The Battle of Trafalgar.
The Trafalgar Way tells the story of how news of the British victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the death of the British commander, Vice Admiral Nelson, reached London in an age before modern communication technology. Following the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, Vice Admiral Collingwood, who took over command on the death of Nelson, sent a dispatch (report) to the Admiralty in London confirming that The British Navy had won the battle. This Dispatch was entrusted to Royal Naval Officer Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere, commander of HMS Pickle. His sea voyage was beset with bad weather after which he came ashore at Falmouth and hired a Post Chaise (a four wheeled horse drawn carriage) to take him to London, a journey of 37 hours. Kathy Brown of The 1805 Club will recount this fascinating story.
The Museum’s Bygone Days Talks Team of volunteers look forward to welcoming you.
Tuesday October 1st at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton at 7:30pm until 8:30pm followed by questions and a raffle until 8:45pm. Doors open at 7pm. Entry is £5 cash or card on the door, no booking required.
Raising funds for Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum.
November 5th At the Somer Centre at 7.30m. Admission £5
Death and Service by Richard Cooper-Knight
November’s Bygone Days talk will take place in the month when we remember our fallen war heroes. Richard Cooper-Knight is an author, photographer and genealogist. His research into the service personnel behind the seemingly anonymous names carved into the Portland stone of more than 800 Commonwealth War Graves across Somerset, has led to a wealth of stories of family and love, life and tragedy; each name brought to life with their own individual history. The talk focuses on the stories behind those heroes who were laid to rest in and around the Midsomer Norton and Radstock areas.
There are several ways to keep in touch with the Museum talks programme.
You can sign up for the Museum Newsletter, which is distributed by email. It includes details of Events, Talks, Exhibitions, Children’s activities and other snippets of News.
Please use the button below:
You can access our Newsletter archive by clicking HERE
You can also ask to be on the reminder email list for the Bygone Days Talks by sending an email request to bygonedays@radstockmuseum.co.uk
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