All the winter talks take place at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne at 14:30. The cost will be £4.00 for members of the BV&Y Association. Visitors are welcome and the charge will be £6.00. Tea / coffee will be provided.
21 January 2023 – the talk will be at Castle Gardens
Thursday 22 September 2022
Autumn Walk | King Alfred’s Tower, Stourhead
Walk though woodland to King Alfred’s Tower – and back past Stourhead House | Around 4½ miles | Two stiles.
Car park: NT members free | non-NT pay
Cost: There is a donation of £2 per person for BVYNT funds
Refreshments: Stourhead Restaurant, or Hillbrush Factory, Norwood Park, Castle Street, Mere BA12 6FE, on the B3092
Saturday 1 October 2022
Dorset from the air: then and now | Gordon Le Pard
In 1946 the RAF was tasked with photographing all of Britain from the air, and completed it in a matter of months.
There have been massive changes in Dorset in the 75 years since these photos were taken. Towns and villages have grown, some railways have gone, some new roads built, hedges have been removed and trees have spread. The wartime infrastructure was still a feature of the landscape in 1947. It has either disappeared or has been altered beyond recognition.
The presentation compares the photographs of 1947 with those of today. The changes may well surprise and amaze you.
Gordon Le Pard was formerly an archaeologist working for Dorset County Council. He specialised in maritime archaeology. Gordon’s talk on “A day in a Georgian House” was extremely well received when he spoke to us in 2021 and he stayed on long afterwards talking to members.
Tuesday 18 October 2022
Autumn Lunch | Crown & Victoria Inn, Tintinhull
Saturday 5 November 2022
Crossing the Severn | Brian Margetson
Sit back, grip your seats and let Brian take you on a perilous voyage through man’s attempts to secure a reliable means of crossing the Severn Estuary. Two major ferry crossings, one tunnel and three bridges later, we may have finally cracked it.
Having spent a career designing buildings and other structures Brian has now semi-retired allowing him to focus on his other interest, public speaking. He has a great deal of experience in presenting and has previously been President of Bristol Speakers Club.
Saturday 3 December 2022
Sir Adam Gurdon at Dunster 1263-65: rebel or Robin Hood? | Huw Ridgeway
Dunster Castle’s royalist experiences during the 17th century English Civil War are celebrated by the Trust’s guidebook. Overlooked, however, are the months early spring 1263 – August 1265 when it became the centre of rebellion against King Henry III. It was occupied by Sir Adam Gurdon, a follower of Simon de Montfort, the champion of constitutional and legal reform. From Dunster Gurdon led a West Country uprising supported by barons, knights, gentry and—most unusually— common folk. Was Gurdon one of the models for Robin Hood?
This talk will be illustrated with photographs of Exmoor, maps and images. It will explore the known details of these dramatic events when Dunster Castle was a serious feudal stronghold with steep bare slopes surrounding it; an ideal place for a revolutionary headquarters.
Thursday 15 December 2022
Visit to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
The Market is set in a unique location next to the Cathedral. Said to be one of the best in the UK the market provides opportunities to get into the festive mood and buy last minute presents. Founded in 2006 it has grown from 40 stalls to over 100. Situated in the Inner Close of the Cathedral these stalls are not immediately evident so follow the signs to Curle’s passage.
If shopping is not your passion, then the Cathedral and High Street offer other local attractions.
Saturday 21 January 2023 **** at Castle Gardens ****
From Kitchen Garden to Garden Centre | Mike Burks
40 years ago, the Walled Kitchen gardens of Sherborne Castle designed by Capability Brown lay abandoned and derelict. Around that time Mike and Louise were studying horticulture at the University of Bath. 35 years ago, Castle Gardens opened after their work of renovation from the jungle they started with.
Mike will describe both this process and the growth of garden centres generally. He and Louise still live in the house in the Sherborne Castle Gardens and there are two other centres in their group at Brimsmore, Yeovil and in Poundbury, Dorchester.
Saturday 11 February 2023
My life on the fairground | Kay Townsend
Kay’s talk covers education, inside the caravans, Health & Safety and what the lights were before the light bulb. Did you know the showmen have their own hymn? She will read the words and you will see why. She invites lots of questions, giving you a chance to find out everything you ever wanted to know about their life.
Saturday 11 March 2023
AGM — followed by a talk by Tim Parker, Head Gardener at Stourhead.
Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association 