An update from Graham Noble. Ruth Pearce, Could you please contact Graham Noble at: g.rc.noble@btinternet.com or on 01373 859770 All the bestGraham A message from Ruth Pearce I am writing to ask if any of your members could help with my research regarding my Great...
I’m writing to let you know about the launch of our exciting new project called The Lockdown Blues, which has gone live this week: https://lockdownblues.co.uk/. This is an online scrapbook to gather thoughts, experiences and reflections on loneliness, solitude and...
As things stand the Dilton Marsh Local History Society are not in a position to deliver their usual range of historical presentations. We feel it only sensible to continue taking appropriate precautions against virus spread. This is not only for the safety of our...
As a direct result of the society’s recent article on clay pipes we were delighted to hear form one Dilton resident, Ruth Collins, who kindly sent photos of a range of pipe bowls and stems found locally by one of her sons. Having sent these photos to one of...
As members will be aware all our group activities and talks have had to be postponed until such time as the current guidance on social distancing is changed.However this does not preclude individuals from taking part in their own research on the history of Dilton...
The talk “Early Crime and Punishment” due to take place at the Dilton Memorial hall on Friday 27th March has been postponed due to latest health issues with Coronovirus.Terry has agreed to offer a return date as and when we are in a better position make alternative...
Terry Bracher from the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre gives an insight into how the law dealt with those who were found guilty in past centuries from documentary evidence in the county archives. Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall Friday 27th March at 7.30pm Further...
We are now looking forward to welcoming Terry Bracher giving his presentation of “Early Crime and Punishment” on Friday 27th March at the Dilton Memorial Hall 7.30 pm. Terry is an experienced archivist at the Chippenham History Centre who will no doubt have a wide...
During our societies various interviews with those Dilton residents who have had a long association with the village, the name of John Atyeo, English Footballer, was mentioned more than once. As a resident of a mere 18 years I had no knowledge of either his connection...
The society, as readers will note, are joining the hedgehogs this month, rolling up in a ball and waiting for February. We will then awake on Friday, February 22nd to welcome Steve Hobbs who has agreed to give the rendition of “Dens of Satun, Nightwalkers and Poor...
Sally Hendry gave the History Society a brilliant talk entitled “Victim or Villain”, or by the more sensational title”The Bratton Murders” , presenting the life of Rebecca Smith , found guilty of poisoning one of her children and hanged in Devizes in 1849. A...
The history society were treated on Friday 13th September to a quite brilliant talk from Martin Brown,assistant county archaeologist on WW 1 Trench Warfare preparations.I’m sure many of us were unaware of the scale and detail that had taken place throughout the...
TONIGHT 13 September 7.30PM at the MEMORIAL HALL FROM LARKHILL TO VICTORY Martin Brown Assistant County Archaeologist will be speaking on the preparations for trench warfare in WW1. Martin has been engaged for some two years now in excavations on Salisbury Plains,...
As some of you will remember we recently took a guided trip around Leighton House under the care of Andrew Field. Unfortunately at the time we had to place a limit on numbers attending and as such some members were unable to take part. The good news is that a further...
Historian Graham Bathe has been working to establish the location of the original Wolfhall, home of the Seymour family, and frequented by Henry VIII before his marriage to Jane Seymour. Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall Friday 7th June – 7.30pm Admission £4.00...
To mark the Centenary of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, which ended the Great War, a talk by Anthony Coutts-Britton. 7.30 pm 10th May at Dilton Memorial Hall. Entrance fee £5 on the door; BYO...
On Friday 3rd May, 7.30 pm, at the Dilton Memorial Hall, one of our new members, Sally Hendry, has agreed to give a presentation on “The Westbury Workhouse”. Sally has recently produced an excellent booklet on this subject, which is available from the...
Apologies to readers of April magazine where I mentioned that Graham Bathe would be giving a talk on the First World War training grounds on Salisbury Plain, when it should have read Martin Brown. Martin has now agreed a date for his talk which is Friday 13th...
The History Society have been fortunate in securing an invitation to visit Leighton House at 10.30am on Saturday 4th May. Should you wish to take advantage of the offer then please do let Graham Noble or any committee member know. → g.rc.noble@btinternet.com → Contact...
In February the History Society were treated, as expected, to a quite excellent talk from Steve Hobbs on Dilton Marsh and Westbury people through the ages. He really has been such a great example of how to encourage an interest in your local community. As some of you...
We have been successful in arranging for a talk by historical author Nicola Tallis, to take place on Friday 29th March 2019 at Fairfield Opportunity College at 7.30 pm. Nicola has agreed to introduce us to her recent publication “Elizabeth’s Rival”. The...
Steve Hobbs will be giving a talk “Dilton and Westbury People from the Middle Ages to the 20 Century” on Friday 22nd February 2019 at the Dilton Memorial hall. 7.30 pm. Entrance fee £4 for non members and £2 for members. Annual membership costs £7 and if taken at the...
The History Society were given a most entertaining talk by Mike Marshman on Friday 25th November, at Fairfield Opportunity College, titled ” Ale House to Public House”. As some of you may know Mike was employed with Wiltshire Council for some 50 years,...
Mike Marshman will be giving the November talk. Covering: Public House names and their meanings, Brewing and Gin and Beer Acts covering the period Middle Ages up to 17th Century. Mike Marshman was with the Wiltshire Library service for 50 years and is regarded as...
Our team can be seen looking for finds which might support the existence of Neolithic or Iron Age activity in Dilton Marsh. No great finds to report apart from some small pottery segments which could relate to the neolithic period. We are intending to look into...
