All our talks begin promptly at 2.30pm except where shown. After the talk we hold a raffle, and then serve tea, coffee and biscuits. We'll usually finish by 4.00pm.

We make a small charge to cover our costs. This is £2.00 for members and £2.50 for non-members.

The talks usually take place at one of two venues:

Swanage - we meet in the Community Room of The Mowlem. This is the modern building on the sea front containing the theatre/cinema. The room is on the second floor, but there is a small lift just inside the entrance to The Mowlem. Click here for a map.

Wareham -  Due to Rising costs, from January 2011 our Wareham talks will be held in Carey Hall, in Mistover Road, where there is ample FREE parking. Click here for a map.

We do our best to alternate between the two towns, but it depends on the availability of both the venue and the speaker.

We try to put the talks in the 'listings' sections of The Gazette and The Advertiser, which are circulated free in the area monthly and weekly respectively. We also advertise them on posters in various locations.

I sometimes leave some past talks on this page to give an idea of the sort of subjects we cover.

Details

Tuesday, 17th January

Swanage

Wells Cathedral - Hugh Roberts is a guide at the cathedral. He will introduce us to the hidden world of misericords—the little tip up seats found in the choirs of mediaeval cathedrals and churches. They are beautifully carved, telling stories, some amusing, some naughty and the meaning of the pictures will be explained.

Thursday, 16th February

Wareham

Purbeck Wildlife - Kevin Rideout, NT Visitor Experience Officer at Studland, will speak about the plants and butterflies of Purbeck

Tuesday, 20th March

Swanage

Durlston - Simon Breeze will talk about the Castle (including its recent refurbishment) the Country Park and the National Nature Reserve.

Tuesday, 24th April

Swanage

AGM - Nigel Chalk, Countryside Manager at Kingston Lacy, will talk about his work

Talks will recommence in September