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
November 2025
20th
The Invasion of Essex 1803-1805 'Who do you think you are kidding Mr Napoleon?'!!!
Neil Wiffen from Essex Record Office will tell us all about the time when Britain was at risk of invasion by the French in the late 18th/early 19th centuries and Essex was right in the front line.
December 2025
11th
Our Traditional Christmas Gathering
Another delve into the societies archives presented by our President, Malcolm Root.
2026 Programme
January 2026
15th
Society AGM followed by: Weeley - The Great British Woodstock
Ray Clark makes a return visit to bring the story of The Weeley Pop Festival. Clacton-on-Sea Round table had been fundraising for many years for local charities and decided to hold a pop festival to attract a younger audience. They rented a local farmer’s field, built a makeshift stage and had permission for 5,000 festival goers to attend, but stopped counting when 150,000 turned up!
February 2026
19th
Roman Life/ Dining
Richard Bale will tell us about what the Romans typically ate in their three daily meals, with dinner being considered the most important. It also allowed an important social occasion - the dinner party. This exercised the social institution of patronage; allowed the host to show off the best tableware and mosaics; and to surprise the guests with the selection of food and wine on offer.
March 2026
19th
The Goose and the Common, a People’s History in Song
We welcome back Phil Lyons from Colchester, with an examination of how contemporary folk songs can be a window into British Social History of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Topics include highwaymen, enclosure, the seafaring life, and industrial change. Phil will also be singing some examples.
April 2026
16th
Borley Rectory, the most haunted house in England
In 1929 National newspaper headlines declared Borley Rectory was the most haunted house in England. Bryan Thurlow will bring this account of the ghostly goings on at the Essex rectory vividly to life, covering the period between 1840s and 1940s. It features the Reverend Smith and his wife Mabel and ghost investigator, Harry Price who was sent to the rectory to find answers to the Smith's paranormal problems - but was this so-called expert all he professed to be?
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
TBC
Summer visit to be confirmed
July 2026
TBC
Summer visit to be confirmed
September 2026
17th
Talk to be confirmed
October 2026
10th
50th Anniversary Celebration
This year the society celebrates it's 50th birthday, more details about how we will mark this momentous occasion will follow in due course.
November 2026
19th
Talk to be confirmed
December 2026
10th
Our Traditional Christmas Gathering
Another delve into the societies archives presented by our President, Malcolm Root.