LOCAL HISTORY TALKS PROGRAMME 2020
Our new programme of talks for 2020 is under development and will appear here as soon as it is complete.
All talks are presented in St Denys’ Church Rooms, off the Market Place in Sleaford.
Each talk starts at 7.30pm and lasts approximately an hour. Refreshments are available and there is a raffle.
£3 for non-members and £1 for members.
Click here to become a member.
Talks held in 2019 :
September 2019 The Sleaford Lads in WW1 presented by John Dale.
John’s talk told the stories of the young men from Sleaford who fought and died in World War One. This was another fascinating evening, much enjoyed by the large audience.
July 2019 ‘Sweet Chariot’ – Silk Willoughby Air Crash of June 1944 presented by Mark Bamford.
Returning from an operation south of Paris on the run-up to D-Day 1944 (75 years ago), Sweet Chariot, a B24J Consolidated Liberator from 392 Bombardment Gp. operating from RAF Wendling in Norfolk, crashed at Silk Willoughby and no-one was on board……..
An intriguing beginning! Mark presented this little-known local story to a packed house with a very well-researched illustrated talk, reference books, a scratch-built model of the aircraft, and a great deal of enjoyment for the whole audience.
May 2019 The Bass Maltings Fire 1976 presented by Jim Shortland.
The AGM was also held in the second half of this meeting.
The Bass Maltings in Sleaford are a large group of eight disused malt houses originally owned by the Bass Brewery of Burton upon Trent. Constructed between 1901 and 1907, the Maltings are the largest group of malt houses in England; they have been designated Grade II* on the National Heritage List of England recognising them as “particularly important … of more than special interest.” Jim’s talk focused on the massive fire in 1976 which almost destroyed them.
Jim showed a fascinating film, which he took at the time, which showed the ferocity of the blaze and the firefighter’s courage and tenacity to overcome it. Two of the firefighters were in the audience, which was an extra bonus; their memories of that night further enhanced the talk. This was a very memorable evening, much appreciated by the large audience, and sincere thanks go to Jim for enabling this footage to be seen over 40 years later.
March 2019 Carre’s Grammar School: A Hidden History presented by Simon Pawley.
Many people in Sleaford have past or present strong links with the School, either having children who attend – or indeed, many who attended the School themselves. Simon (an ex-pupil) presented his fascinating ‘hidden history’ of the School. The audience enjoyed the talk enormously and it generated much discussion afterwards.
