Newton Abbot’s workhouse (S Devon Branch)
John Ellis will talk to us about the Union workhouse that opened in Newton Abbot in 1839. By the 1890s it housed several hundred and the conditions there caused a national scandal. Note our...
Tagged: history
Clayhidon Murder Trail (Exeter Branch)
David Pugsley’s guided walk is designed as a re-enactment of the infamous murder of William Blackmore in Clayhidon in 1853, and the subsequent trial, conviction and execution of the perpetrator, George Sparks. Participants will...
Exploring the history of Widecombe (S Devon Branch)
Firstly we will visit the North Hall Manor archaeological site with Andy Crabb, then explore the parish church of St Pancras. To be followed by an optional cream tea at Higher Venton Farm, once...
“Mad, bad and fascinating to know” (Tavistock Branch)
An illustrated talk by Dr Geri Parlby on the colourful ancestors of the Dukes of Bedford. Wine merchants, poisoners, mine owners and creators of afternoon tea – the colourful history of one of England’s...
The medieval longbow, truths and legends (Tavistock Branch)
A demonstration with artefacts by Chris Thomas. The true story behind the nature, use and some of the science behind this famous but frequently misunderstood or misrepresented part of history, and those who used...
The Black Death on Dartmoor (S Devon Branch)
A talk by David Stone “Exploring East Dartmoor in the Age of the Black Death”. David Stone is a economic and social historian and has taught medieval and early modern history at the universities...
A Devon family and the Great War (Plymouth Branch)
A talk “A matter of conscience: A Devon family and the Great War” given by Dr Sue Andrew.
Atlantic Telegraph Cables (IA Section)
A talk by John Dike who will describe attempts to establish telegraph communication between Britain and America from 1858 onwards, and include demonstrations of some of the problems of early telegraphy and the challenges...
Babbacombe & St Marychurch (S Devon Branch)
A guided walk around the historical areas of Babbacombe and St Marychurch in Torquay. Meet outside the Cliff Railway Café, Babbacombe. Short report On a very sunny day in July a good turn-out of...
President’s Symposium, October 2016
Historians, their Manuscripts, and the Creation of History. On 1 October, a sell-out audience flocked to Petroc College,Tiverton, for Dr Todd Gray’s Presidential Symposium entitled Historians, their manuscripts and the creation of history. The event...