The building of the Suez Canal was both a marvel of engineering construction and the symbolic meeting of East and West. It was the vision of Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat, who with his enthusiasm for the project won the vital backing of Louis Napoleon, whose perseverance overcame the British Prime Minister’s determination to […]
Join ESU Salisbury branch for a discussion on the Roman army at the White Hart Hotel, Salisbury. A living history talk, describing a set of Roman Legionary soldiers’ equipment from helmet crest from cross. All items that John Smith will be using to bring history to life are copies of examples found as archaeological finds. […]
One of the oldest species on earth, eel’s eggs drift on the Gulf Stream from the Sargasso Sea arriving two years later in European rivers as elvers. Thirty years later they migrate the 4,000 miles back to their breeding grounds and the cycle begins again. We hear of the international fight to protect them. Start […]
December 2014 NATO formally ended its mission. By August 2021 the Taliban were back in power. With 15 years’ experience of Afghanistan both in the country and overseas, Dr Heidi Meyer gives her personal perspective of the critical key decisions that were taken which led to the Taliban’s swift return to power. Start time: 11.00 […]
With at least 14 separate almshouse groups in Salisbury and around the area we will learn their purpose, their history and in particular discover more about The Hospital of St John’s, Heytesbury, which has been in existence since 1472. Start time: 11.00 am (Coffee from 10.30 am) End time: 12.30 pm (Lunch from 12.30 pm […]
Discover how Pen Hadow’s early connection to the Arctic sparked a lifelong dedication to the region’s sea ice—as an adventurer, professional guide, research leader, pioneering explorer, and ocean conservationist. The North Pole’s ocean environment is changing faster than any other, putting immense stress on its wildlife. With 40% of summer habitat already lost and the […]
The sower, the woodcutter, a shepherd girl. These are the subjects that made French artist Jean-Francois Millet famous. Jenny will look at his life and some of his best loved […]
Salisbury Museum has undergone a £5.1 million redevelopment called Past Forward, mainly funded with grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It created exciting new galleries dedicated to local history, ceramics and natural history. The medieval King’s House, home of the museum, has undergone significant conservation and our café and public facilities have all been […]
Stew will talk to us on the history and formation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, what they do, why they do it and what the future holds for the organisation charged with commemorating and remembering the lost lives of 1.7 million men and women from both World Wars. The CWGC operate worldwide in 153 […]
John will describe why the Battle of Britain (10th July – 31st October 1940) was seen over the Salisbury skies and how unprepared the country was. Various model British and German aircraft used will be on display and explained, as well as where aircraft production took place in Wiltshire, and local aerial actions related. The […]
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