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Programme 2024

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Thu 16th May 2024
Further display of our local Artefacts & Social Evening
(7pm – 9pm)

Thu 20th June 2024
Town Walk led by Paul Carter

Thu 18th July 2024
Proposed Coach to Tiverton with Horse Drawn Barge Trip
Limited to 50, so Members have priority. Please book your tickets from February

Thu 26th September 2024
An evening remembering The Avon Rubber Company in Melksham
(note 4th Thursday)

Thu 17th October 2024
Atworth – The Romans to the 3rd Millennium
Presented by Gervase O’Donohoe

Thu 21st November 2024
AGM & Social Evening

 
Recent Events

Thu 18th April 2024
Working for the Melksham Urban District Council
Presented by Gill Butler
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Thu 21st March 2024
Jobs for Women
Presented by Dr Fiona Basket
more details...

Thu 22nd February 2024
Architectural Follies of Wiltshire
Presented by Jonathan Holt (note 4th Thursday)
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Ken Merrett Memorial Evening - Thu 15th October 2015
A return visit from Dave Napier of the Arnos Vale restoration society “Connections in Stone”


Melksham and District Historical Association Presents

Thursday 15th October 7.30 at the Assembly Hall
All welcome, non members £3

Ken Merrett Memorial Evening.

A return visit by Dave Napier
of the Arnos Vale Restoration society.
His presentation will be entitled
"Connections in Stone"

Those who attended Dave’s previous presentation will know of the fantastic work the restoration society has done on the Cemetery in Bristol.

Dave has returned with more fascinating stories of those who are interred in this unique Cemetery and the restoration work which has been done.



Report -

MELKSHAM AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
OCTOBER 2015 MEETING REPORT

Dave Napier of the Arnos Vale Cemetery restoration society gave a fascinating evenings slide show and talk entitled “Connections in stone”.

Dave started the evening showing how the link between the ancient standing stones of medieval times was linked to the use of grave stones in our cemeteries.
Dave went on to show that there were interesting backgrounds to some of the famous Bristol people who are interred in Arnos Vale. From uncovering a deeply covered grave stone, the society researches the history of the person interred and often comes up with some very interesting life stories of the long forgotten people.
During the 1849 Cholera outbreak in Bristol, Doctor William Budd proposed a simple hygiene method to reduce the spread of the disease, which greatly reduced the spread throughout the city. Those without any money were interred in a common unmarked “pit” measuring 20ft by 16ft . Today William Budd is remembered by having a ward named after him at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
There are over 50,000 graves in the Cemetery.

The cemetery is open to the public on Saturdays for guided walks and refreshments, it is well worth a visit, but advised to contact first.

The Melksham and District Historical Association AGM, social evening and Buffet Supper, Will be held on Thursday 19th November. Tickets £8 can be purchased from Tony Fivash, 01225 708161.

Tony Box 01225793914


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