12 May 2015 Dear BHA Members and Friends The next BHA meeting is this Sunday, 17 May, at 4pm in the Church Institute, when Sue Martin will be talking about ‘A Volunteer at Stonehenge Visitor Centre and Stories’. Sue, a resident of Bratton for forty years, taught in and around Westbury before retirement, and has worked as a volunteer at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre for a year. I understand that Bob Clarke’s review of Bratton Between Chalk and Cheese has been published in the latest volume of the WANHS magazine, Wiltshire Studies. Mo has a copy, and will bring it to the meeting on Sunday for anyone who doesn’t have access to the magazine and would like to read the review. Finally, the Village Fete is fast approaching, and as usual we’re looking for ideas and volunteers for our BHA stand. You may recall that last year we had a ‘Two World War’ theme, so this year we’re looking for a different – possibly topical – historical subject. Mo has suggested a display focusing on the anniversary of the Magna Carta. If you think you may be able to contribute to this theme – or indeed have any other ideas – do let us know. Otherwise, offers to help man the stall for an hour during the afternoon of 25 July would be very welcome! Best wishes Anne NEXT BHA MEETING: A Volunteer at Stonehenge Visitor Centre and Stories (Sue Martin) Where: Bratton History Association, Church Institute, Bratton. When: 4.00 pm, Sunday 17 May 2015 ………………………………………………………………………………………………… OTHER FORTHCOMING EVENTS 1) TALK: The Diary of Reginald Mantell - Railway Engineer in Trowbridge 1847/48 Helen Rogers. Where: The Historical Association, West Wiltshire Branch. The Haden Room of the United Church, Church Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8DY. When: 7.30 pm, 21 May, 2015. Details: cost £3 for visitors. For further information please contact the Hon. Secretary Mrs. J. Ladd, 01373 830514 [email protected] ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2) TALK: Beating it into Them: Education in Wiltshire to the 18th With Mike Marshman Description: A talk on the early school system in our country which brought most of the basic education to the privileged few – who was educated and how it was achieved through monasteries, nunneries, chantry priests, grammar schools etc. . Where: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. When: 2.15 pm, Thursday 28 May, 2015. Details: Admission £3.50 (concessions £2.50). Spaces are limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Telephone 01249 705500 or visit our Help Desk at the History Centre. (Payment by credit/debit card or cheque available for the purchase of 2 or more tickets). ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3) TALK: Using Maps in Local and Family History. With Claire Skinner Description: A really useful guide to an important and fascinating source for those embarking on a more in depth study of our local area and those who lived and worked here. Where: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. When: 2.15 pm, Thursday 11 June, 2015. Details: Admission £3.50 (concessions £2.50). Spaces are limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Telephone 01249 705500 or visit our Help Desk at the History Centre. (Payment by credit/debit card or cheque available for the purchase of 2 or more tickets). …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4) DEVIZES FESTIVAL LECTURE: Magna Carta: 1215-2015 Description: This June marks 800 years since the creation of Magna Carta. Medieval historian and author of The Arrow of Sherwood, Lauren Johnson will examine the creation, mutation and survival of this totemic text. A document intended to curb the excesses of a tyrannical king in the wake of war at home and overseas, Magna Carta was written with a very specific aim in mind. But almost a millennium later this medieval charter still holds potent power as a symbol of civil liberties. So how, in an age of mighty medieval monarchs, did Magna Carta come into being? And how has it survived and changed in the centuries since ‘Bad King John’ first put his seal to it? There will be a book signing after the talk. Where: Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. When: 8:00 pm, Wednesday, 17 June, 2015 Details: Booking essential. Tickets available from the Devizes Festival box office - Devizes Festival website. £10 (£9 friends) …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Contributions to the newsletter would be greatly appreciated. If you’re aware of any history-themed event or recent publication you think other BHA members may be interested in, please email the details to [email protected] and they will be included in the next newsletter.