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Blackmore Vale Group

Iron Age Dynasties of Dorset

Posted on 5th October 2025

The talk will discuss recent radiocarbon dating and DNA studies of later Iron age burials from Dorset, which have overturned the believed wisdom regarding the structure of Iron Age society in Dorset The work has proven Iron Age Durotrigian society to be a female line (matrilocal) society and that the complex societal organisation revealed by what was considered the single event Maiden Castle 'war cemetery' was nothing to do with the Roman invasion Speaker: Paul Cheetham The group meets... more

Digging and Dusting – Women’s Work in Service

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To enter into service on an estate was often the only option available to working class women Valerie has been investigating the Kingston Lacy estate wages ledger which presents a snapshot of a rural workforce and fascinating case-studies of working women Speaker: Valerie... more

“Brandy for the Parson, ‘baccy for the Clerk”

Posted on 7th July 2025

Listen to stories of Dorset men and women involved in the illicit trade of smuggling during the 18 and 19 centuries Talk by Mike... more

The Tolpuddle Martyrs and Shire Hall: we will, we will, we will be free!

Posted on 17th January 2025

Anne Brown: The Tolpuddle Martyrs and Shire Hall: we will, we will, we will be free! Shire Hall, Dorchester, was the centre of justice and local government from 1797 to 1955 The Georgian courtroom was the scene of many famous and infamous trials throughout this period, the most famous being that of the six agricultural labourers known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs This talk looks at the background to their story, the punishment they endured and the changes these ordinary Dorset working men made... more

Life on The Row

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Jacquie Wragg: Life on The Row Unlike the pretty Church Street in Sturminster Newton, The Row is a mismatch of properties However, surviving documents held at the Dorset History Centre reveal interesting information about some of the occupants and their homes which date back to 1650 This presentation will include details of residents in The Row affected by the Great Fire of 1729, a Waterloo veteran with a connection to Robert Young, the Dorset dialect poet, the draper who married his... more