01935 429609
Somerset & Dorset
Family History Society
Family History Society
The Blackmore Vale Group is re-commencing meetings at The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH on the third Wednesday evening of every month. The extended break has led many people to start researching their family tree and group members are happy to offer advice and share experiences.
There is, also, a fantastic line-up of interesting speakers presenting on a variety of topics.
The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in The Bow Room of The Exchange, Sturminster Newton. The presentations start at 7.30pm.
All are welcome at the meetings. To help defray costs we ask £4 per meeting.
Felicity Harrison: Where were you on V.E. Day?
“I was born during WW2 but I don’t remember where I was on V.E. day. I’ve been aware that I know very little about how WW2 affected Sturminster other than the two Commonwealth War Graves in the Cemetery. So, I’ve been asking around, trying to find out from some of the locals how it impinged on their youth. The result is this talk!”
Paul Cheetham: Standing on the shoulders (and other parts) of a giant: the Cerne Abbas Giant reconsidered
Local archaeologist professor, Paul Cheetham, has been working on the dig in Cerne Abbas where surprising new discoveries have been made about the giant and its origins.
Margot Choo: From Gott’s Corner to Tinsel Town
The fascinating story of one of Sturminster Newton schoolmaster’s family.
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 to their local area and to society as a whole.
Use the form to send a message, or telephone Felicity Harrison at 01258 472942. Please use the form for any queries or comments about the programme.
While Group members have a good deal of local knowledge, they are not usually in a position to carry out documentary research. If you need research done, please see “How We Can Help.”
| January | No Meeting |
| 12 February (2) | Mixing DNA results with a paper trail—Penny Walters |
| 11 March (1) | Posted in the Past—Helen Baggott |
| 8 April (2) | A day in a Georgian house or ‘Nothing like home for real comfort’ – Gordon Le Pard |
| 13 May (1) | From blacksmith to online retailer – 100 years in the life of a Sturminster family business— Graham Hart and Jon Dart from Harts of Stur. |
| 10 June (2) | Family history on tablets of stone—John Damon |
| 8 July (1) | A message to the children—Jim Williams |
| August | Outing—more details later |
| 9 September (2) | Mad Earl Henry and other despicable relations – Sue Burne |
| 14 October (1) | The second oldest business in Sturminster—Rob Cowley |
| 11 November (2) | Where’s that to, then? – Adrian Bailey |
| 9 December (1) | My life as an African-American GI’s son—John Stockley |