The visit will be led by Frances Neale There has been a garden behind 9 Cathedral Green for about 850 years.  In 2003 a team of volunteers undertook to clear the then neglected garden and restore the herb garden which had been laid out by Dean William Turner, well known botanist and  author of "A New Herball"  Although his planting schemes are not laid down they have created a Tudor-style garden with typical C16th  plants Frances had been actively involved…

John Smith is a military historian and has been involved in archaeological projects for 40 years, most notably working at the excavation of two Roman Villas He has extensive knowledge of the operations of the Roman Army and will be giving a talk about life in Roman North Somerset

Mires, Miniliths and Monuments Archaeological research on Exmoor's peatlands, undertaken as part of of Exmoor Mires Partnership, will be the morning focus of the Forum. In the afternoon, the condition of their oldest monuments, Exmoor's monoliths will be examined through the result of the 2017-18 condition survey and the national perspective of the stone rows will be discussed. Saturday 13th October 10.30-16.30, at Brushford Parish Hall TA22 9AH. Booking is essential.  Go to www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/environment/history for further information  

Peter Lander, will be talking about “The History of Birnbeck Pier and work of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust” A former welder, Peter moved from his home in Derbyshire to Weston-super Mare after taking early retirement, and is now the Trust’s archivist. As well as looking at the recorded history Peter will be talking about his work recording people’s memories of the Pier, researching their stories and gathering memorabilia. They now have a collection of personal photographs, which are used in…

ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE SEVERN ESTUARY Annual conference organised by Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee and the National Museum of Wales. Saturday 10thNovember 2018   from 10am -4pm St. Fagans National Museum of History, near Cardiff, CF5 6XB The annual conference of the Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee bringing presentations on the latest exciting discoveries from the wetlands surrounding the Severn Estuary, including: Dr Rhianydd Biebrach - Swansea Bay Community Archaeology project Mick Rawlings - The M4 Corridor around Newport – an…

Philip Hoyland will be talking about local Friendly Societies. The title, ‘Benefits, Brass, and the ‘Girtest, Grandest Day’ relates to the village Friendly Societies, which were set up in the 19th and  20th century. The societies were set up  by the poor for the poor. Members were required to give a regular monthly amount to their particular Society and this allowed them to draw out money in times of need to, for example, pay the doctor, or pay for a funeral or…