The Booking Secretaries for this programme can be contacted on 01749 890611
Illustrated Talk: “the 17th Century Revolution and Politics”
Visit to Westhay Moor nature reserve for the starling spectacular
Illustrated Talk: “Recent Archaeology in Somerset”
Visit to Salisbury for “the Convict's Opera”
Visit to Longleat house and grounds, Wiltshire
Lunch at the Tynte Arms, Enmore
Visit to Cribbs Causeway, near Bristol
National Trust Quantock Centre Annual General Meeting
Visit to Oakham Treasures, Oakham Farm, Portbury, near Bristol
Visit to Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, Caerphilly
Visit to Corsham Town and Corsham Court, Wiltshire
Illustrated Talk: “Crosse Connections III”
Visit to North Curry and Stoke St Gregory parish churches (own Transport)
Saturday 3 January
West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, 2.30pm
Chris Sidaway has spent all his working life in the arts, with additional interest in local history and archaeology. In 2008, he became Chairman of the Council of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.
In his talk, sub-titled “The English Civil War and Monmouth Rebellion”, he will give an outline of the politics of 17th century England that led to civil war and rebellion, culminating in the basis of our modern constitution.
He will focus on the Civil War, particularly in Somerset, and on the families involved. In discussing the Monmouth Rebellion he will talk about the events which led to the last battle on English soil.
Wednesday 7 January
The roost of several million starlings at Westhay Moor, near Wedmore, is one of Nature's wonders. The birds fill the sky and, depending on the weather, will swoop and rise and circle, settle, rise and settle again.
We shall go to the reserve by coach rather than in our own cars because, although the reserve is not far away, we need to stay together and have maximum mobility and flexibility if we are to enjoy the best vantage point. This exact location will be decided at the last moment in the light of latest information from a warden about where the birds can best be seen.
The warden will give us a short talk in the coach. We can then walk along the drove and either shelter in a hide or remain in the open to watch the spectacle.
Afterwards, we shall have supper at the Sheppey Inn, Godney.
Saturday 17 January
West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, 2.30pm
The County Archaeologist, Bob Croft, will bring us up to date on a variety of archaeological projects in Somerset, such as those at Play Street, Neroche, and Taunton Castle. He will describe some fascinating medieval finds at Fairfield, Stogursey, where a manor house existed at least as early as 1166. He will talk about the Somerset Levels and Moors – among the most important wetlands of their type in the world – as a potential World Heritage site.
Thursday 22 January
Salisbury Playhouse is presenting a matinee performance of “The Convict's Opera” by Stephen Jeffreys, adapted from John Gay's “The Beggar's Opera” (1728) about underworld characters in London. This is how the Playhouse describes the treat in store:
“Stephen Jeffreys shifts the setting to a creaking convict ship bound for Australia. To pass the time, the convicts put on an opera, set in the world they've left far behind and will probably never see again. Meet treacherous highwayman Macheath and sweet Polly Peacham as they juggle love and deceit in the dirty underbelly of 18th-century London.
“A co-production between Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton's Sydney Theatre Company and Out of Joint, @x˜The Convict's Opera' has an ensemble of talented actor-musicians drawn from both Britain and Australia. It brings together the classic folk songs of the original with some modern musical surprises – and plenty of infamy, intrigue, fun and romance.”
If you do not wish to go to the theatre, why not visit Salisbury Cathedral and/or a National Trust property in the vicinity – and perhaps take advantage of the January sales in the city?
Tuesday 27 January
Longleat House, home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, has some of the finest examples of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain. Outstanding is the Great Hall which has retained its original splendour with a 35ft-high ceiling, supported by ten huge hammer beams, and lavish tapestries and paintings.
The house was substantially completed by 1580. It is situated in 900 acres of magnificent parkland, landscaped by “Capability” Brown, and another 8,000 acres of woodland, lakes and farmland. In the 13th century, a priory belonging to the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine occupied the site of the present house. The priory was put up for sale during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536-39 and was bought by the 25-year-old John 'Gritpipe' Thynne in 1541 for £53. The house is still occupied by the Thynne family, descendants of Sir John Thynne who was very friendly with Sir William St Loe, Bess of Hardwick's third husband.
Wednesday 4 February
Enmore is a small village sheltered by the eastern slopes of the Quantock Hills, about six miles west of Bridgwater. The Tynte Arms is a traditional country pub – comfortable, welcoming and popular with local people and visitors alike.
It takes its name from the Tynte family who at one time owned a great deal of land in the area. Members of the family took part in six of the eight Crusades to the Holy Land, commemorated by the six shields on their coats of arms on the inn sign.
After the meal, you could visit Fyne Court at Broomfield, just two miles away. Alternatively, you might like to take a walk through Enmore village towards Spaxton, passing Barford Park and returning to Enmore. A map and directions will be provided on the day. Walking boots are recommended.
Wednesday 11 February
Brighten the month of February with a little retail therapy, regardless of the cold and rain. The Mall at Cribbs Causeway has more than 135 shops, including the recently refurbished John Lewis and Marks and Spencer. There are well over a dozen cafes and restaurants.
Outside the Mall you could visit the cinema or Currys, PC World, Toys'R'Us, Hobbycraft or Morrisons – or many smaller shops. Every need is catered for.
Thursday 19 February
Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 for the Premonstratensian Order of Canons – an order established 76 years earlier by St Norbert at Prémontré, near Laon, France. By the 15th century it was the richest monastery of the order in England.
After the dissolution it became the home of the Cary family who later helped to develop modern Torquay. It remained their home until 1930 when, as the town's most historic building, it passed into the ownership of the Borough Council.
The site contains several Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings and has recently undergone a £4million restoration to house an extensive art collection of watercolours and pre-Raphaelite paintings.
There will be an introductory talk before viewing the gardens and exterior of the building and guided tours of the house and galleries.
Saturday 21 February
The 37th Annual General Meeting of the National Trust Quantock Centre will be held at West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, at 2.30pm. Draft agenda
Thursday 26 February
This retail and farming museum opened in July 2008 – a unique treasure trove situated on a farm in a building originally used to house livestock.
The displays offer a marvellous trip down memory lane. They include the contents of old shops, such as a tobacconist's and a haberdasher's; countless items from everyday life of times gone by, such as Phillips stick-on soles and Mazawatteee tea. They will inevitably prompt you to exclaim, “We had one of those!”. Attached to the museum is a well-stocked farm shop.
Tuesday 3 March
We are returning to Llancaiach Fawr Manor by popular request. It is one of the finest examples of a semi-fortified manor house in Wales today. It was built in the early 16th century and extensively refurbished in the 17th century to reflect the rise in status of the owners, the Prichard family.
When Civil War broke out between King and Parliament in 1642, Colonel Prichard was actively involved in raising men and money for the Royalist cause in Glamorganshire. Later, like most of the Welsh gentry, he changed his allegiance to the Parliamentarian side.
The manor is now open to the public, and visitors are invited to step back in time and sample the sights, sounds and smells of 1645. These are brought to life by the “servants” of Colonel Prichard through their “living history” interpretation. They greet you at the door of the Manor and take you on a tour of the house, acting in period and character for the whole of the tour.
Thursday 12 March
We shall have a full day in Corsham, a town worth exploring for its history and interesting buildings. There will be guided tours of the town and of the 17th century almshouses and schoolroom, with their ornate carving and much of the original built-in furniture.
In the afternoon, we shall visit Corsham Court, which is 50 yards from the main High Street. The Court was a royal manor in the days of the Saxon kings and the home of the Methuen family. It is based on an Elizabethan house dating from 1582.
It was bought by Paul Methuen in the mid-18th century to house a collection of 16th and 17th century Italian and Flemish master paintings and statuary. The east wing of the house has a magnificent picture gallery and state rooms.
The park, which includes a 13-acre lake and a Gothic bath house, is principally the work of “Capability” Brown, John Nash and Thomas Bellamy.
Saturday 21 March
West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, 2.30pm
This is the third and final talk by John Porter about the life and history of the Crosse family who lived at Fyne Court, Broomfield, and developed the character of both the house and the grounds.
Andrew Crosse, who lived at Fyne Court in the first half of the 19th century, was an early worker in the new science of electricity and was known locally as the “Wizard of the Quantocks” or the “Thunder and Lightning Man”.
John Porter is Crosse's third cousin five times removed and has spent many hours researching his Crosse connections@x¦ . In this talk, he completes his fascinating account of them.
Tuesday 24 March
The church of St Peter and St Paul, North Curry, is known as “The Cathedral of the Moors”, situated as it is between the levels of Curry Moor and the River Tone to the north and the West Sedge Moor to the south.
Its medieval architecture includes features in the Norman, Decorated and Perpendicular styles and from its elevated position there are splendid views across the low-lying moors. St Gregory's church is another outstanding medieval building, mainly Perpendicular in style.