This is the follow up to Colin Bird’s interesting talk on the railways of Bracknell Forest before WW1 which he gave to us in February 2026 Non-members are welcome, but a small charge of £3.00 is payable to defray costs such as tea and biscuits.
A talk by Derek Alexander; Head of Archaeology for the National Trust for Scotland. ‘Pioneering Spirit’ is a nationwide research programme to seek out the knowledge and mythology of illicit whisky making, where it actually happened, and its effect on Scotland’s cultural heritage. For details about how to take part in this online meeting please…
Talk by Philip Hellawell Find the venue: https://stgeorgescentreleeds.org.uk/find-us Non-members are welcome – a £2 donation towards costs would be appreciated. Following our meetings, all are welcome to join us for lunch at the nearby hostelry, The Fox & Newt
Paul Upton recalls how brothers William and Thomas Stoate started flour milling in Watchet in 1832, later introducing steam power, but suffered a major fire in 1911. The mill was later used by the Exmoor Paper Bag Co. whose turbine is on display outside. Non-members £3. More information: Peter Daniel peter.daniel51@btinternet.com
The Society's AGM will be followed by presentation by Geoffrey Mead Rye Harbour is the oft-ignored cousin of the more famous ‘Ancient Town of the Cinque Ports’- Rye town. Two miles downriver it has a short history, being only named Rye Harbour from the early 19th century, however it has a wide industrial history encompassing…
Using as a starting point Ditchfield and Page’s volume on Industries from ‘A History of Berkshire’ published in 1906, Jo Alexander-Jones, will speak about the various industries in the county ranging from the well-known to the more obscure and often now forgotten. Non-members are welcome, but a small charge of £3.00 is payable to defray…
Jon Willis of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust tells the story of the two historic beam engines, still housed in their Grade 1 listed Pumping Station. One dates to 1812 and is the oldest working beam engine in the world. They are still able to do their original job of pumping water to the…
Talk by David Clegg Find the venue: https://stgeorgescentreleeds.org.uk/find-us Non-members are welcome – a £2 donation towards costs would be appreciated. Following our meetings, all are welcome to join us for lunch at the nearby hostelry, The Fox & Newt
The first printed map of the Somerset was produced by Christopher Caxton and published 1575-79. Using many physical examples, Christine King describes how the development of cartography was pushed forward by Caxton and later notable map-makers, who in turn reflected the physical and societal changes they saw taking place. Non-members £3. More information: Peter Daniel…
Talk by Chris Berendt Find the venue: https://stgeorgescentreleeds.org.uk/find-us Non-members are welcome – a £2 donation towards costs would be appreciated. Following our meetings, all are welcome to join us for lunch at the nearby hostelry, The Fox & Newt
Ann Middleton has been part of BIAG for many years and she will enlighten us about what went on in the days when we were allowed to investigate, build and dismantle industrial sites. Non-members are welcome, but a small charge of £3.00 is payable to defray costs such as tea and biscuits.
Ben Sumpter is a Research Consultant and co-owner of Cornwall Underground Adventures. He has ventured deep into archives and underground workings to research Cornwall’s mining heritage, technology and practices, and how these eventually spread throughout the world. For details about how to take part in this online meeting please visit https://www.sias.me.uk
