Programme
All events take place at 7:30pm in the Baptist Church, Hedingham Road, Halstead unless otherwise stated
Our programme may change at short notice due to circumstances outside our control
2026 Programme
May 2026
21st
“Here Comes the Bride!”
Fran Saltmarsh will present a talk looking at wedding garments and traditions through the ages, finishing with authentic dresses from the 1930s to the present day.
June 2026
18th
Summer visit to Brightlingsea, meet at the Brightlingsea museum at 10.15am
Following a visit to the Brightlingsea museum for refreshments we will have a guided walk starting at 11am to see some of the key areas that have influenced the fascinating history of this small and influential town. Full details to follow but our trip is limited to 15-20 people
(members only)
July 2026
17th
Summer visit to Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, CO9 3BL. meet at Hill Farm at 7.30pm
A return visit to Hill Farm, the home of one our Vice Presidents, Ashley Cooper. For those who have not visited before, Ashley’s farm includes the site of a Roman villa and a fascinating museum containing many interesting artefacts including a number of those belonging to our society. Please note that our visit is limited to 15-20 people, members only.
September 2026
17th
British Post Box Design & Use from 1852 to the present day
Steve Knight from the Colne Valley Postal Museum will tell us all we need to know about post boxes!
October 2026
10th
50th Anniversary Celebration: Mark Smith (Antiques Roadshow) A Day on the Roadshow
Mark will be telling us some fascinating stories of what goes on behind the scenes at the long running BBC show. This will be a ticketed event and members will be given priority. More details will follow in due course.
**PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place on a Saturday in place of our normal third Thursday meeting.**
November 2026
12th
The Judicial Murder of an Essex Peer
Roger Cooke will bring us this fascinating story regarding the arrest of Lord Petre of Ingatestone Hall, on treason charges in the late 17th Century.
**PLEASE NOTE: The November meeting will be held on the SECOND THURSDAY of the month not the third**
December 2026
10th
Our Traditional Christmas Gathering
Another delve into the societies archives presented by our President, Malcolm Root.
2027 Programme
January 2027
21st
Society Annual General Meeting
Our A.G.M. will be followed by an update on what’s been happening in the Museum from Jim Davis & John Walmsley.
February 2027
18th
The SAS in Wartime Essex
This remarkable local connection to one of Britain’s most legendary fighting forces is the focus of this talk by Gordon Brown, Chair of the Earls Colne Heritage Museum.
March 2027
18th
The History of the D’Arcy Spice Apple
Neil Wiffen from the Essex Record Office brings us the story of this local fruit, found in the garden of The Hall, Tolleshunt d'Arcy, in about 1785, but may have earlier origins.
April 2027
15th
The History of Tiptree Hall
Phil George will tell us about the ambitious Victorian estate created by entrepreneur and agricultural pioneer John Joseph Mechi. Over the decades the house has reinvented itself many times: from experimental farm to school, then to the unlikely residence of an Italian fraudster. Today it stands on steadier ground as part of the estate owned by Wilkin & Sons, the renowned Tiptree jam producers. Phil has carried out a great deal of research as a writer for both print as well as online and for 15 years was a self-employed genealogist which included research for the television programme Who Do You Think You Are.
May 2027
20th
Thames through Time
Retired geologist, Ian Mercer returns to tell us the story of the Ice Age history of the river across Essex.
June 2027
Tbc
Summer visit
Details to follow.
July 2027
Tbc
Summer visit
Details to follow.
September 2027
16th
“For Better or Far Worse"
Toni Neobard and Kate Broad will give us a quirky look at marriage in Victorian times. Toni is the Vice Chairman of the Essex Family History Society and has written a number of books on family history, on her own, as well as with Kate.
October 2027
21st
“Roman Burial, Settlement, and Industry West of the Walled Town”
Adam Wightman, Director of Archaeology, Colchester Archaeological Trust is going to talk about the ongoing work at the Essex County Hospital in Lexden Road.
November 2027
18th
Horsehair Tales
Our former Chairman, John Miners, will tell us the history of John Boyd Textiles, the only remaining haircloth weavers in the UK, established in 1837 and still manufacturing on looms from the mid 19th-century.
December 2027
9th
Our Traditional Christmas Gathering
Another delve into the societies archives presented by our President, Malcolm Root.