Swindon branch
Wednesday 4th November - in person
Donald Gilchrist WW2 record - Eric Hewitt ( Change to schedule).
Our Swindon member Eric will talk about his relative's involement in WW2.
Thursday 12th November - Zoom.
Christmas food and drink through the ages - Simon Fowler
How did our ancestors make Christmas? Was there Dickensian bonhomie at home or were the celebrations spent in the workhouse. This entertaining talk will prove that everything you knew about seasonal food and drink is probably wrong!
Simon Fowler will talk about drink - Winter Warmers ank Smoking Bishop, while his wife Sylvia Levi (a passionate food historian) will discuss how Christmas food has evolved since Tudor times showing how old favourites have evolved and new dishes have been added to the festive table.
Wednesday 2nd December - in person
Christmas Social
Dabbers at the ready! For our Christmas social this year, we will have a few games of Bingo! We will also be enjoying a bring and share supper. Come along, bring something to share at the table ( i.e sausage rolls, crisps, sandwiches etc) and enjoy the Bingo.
Wednesday 6th January - in person.
Regeneration in the railway village including the mechanics institution - Aaron Marchant.
Aaron will talk about changes with the railway village.
Wednesday 20th January - Zoom.
Whatever happened to Aunt Gonda? - Phil Isherwood.
When Phil discovered his wife had an aunt with the extraordinary name of “Gonda”, and that neither she nor her family had ever heard of her, he was surprised. When he tried researching her life, he was baffled. She simply seemed to disappear from the genealogical record after the 1930s. What had happened?
By branching out into diverse sources, Phil was able to paint a picture of an upper-class girl who was presented at court, yet at the same time was an adventurous young woman of character – an early aviatrix, a talented artist and horsewoman, who travelled the world before dying tragically young in an outpost of empire.
Wednesday 3rd February - in person.
100 Women in Britain - Rosa Matheson
A day in the life of 100 Women in Britain, some of whom are/were local to Swindon.
Wednesday 17th february - Zoom.
Using the British Newspaper Archive Online - Steve Manning
Historic local newspapers were the Facebook of their day - all life was there. That being the case, so we ignore them at our peril. Learn how you too can become an effective newsprint explorer!
Venue
Our in person meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, starting at 7.30 pm and we would be very pleased to welcome you there.Please note that our meetings are held at Coleview Community Centre, Towcester Suite, Towcester Road, Swindon, Wilts, SN3 4AS. There is parking available at the hall.
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Contact: Stacey Coxhead for further information on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
