A History Portal Club walk'n'talk - pick from a weekend (Sat 15) or weekday (Wed 19) session. As a group we'll explore the many missing pubs that used to punctuate Chippenham’s streets. This walk and talk will take a look at long gone hostelries and inns, from the earliest records to those that disappeared just […]
In November’s Collection Conversation, we will be joined by Chris Dunn and Andrew Lansley. After studying at Bath Spa University, Chris Dunn worked as a freelance illustrator producing portraits and conceptual illustrations. A commission to illustrate the Wind in the Willow, has led to him beginning a full-time artist specialising in traditional children’s book watercolour […]
A History Portal Club meeting. Together, we’ll look at the old school on Cocklebury Road. Earmarked for demolition, it’s one of the places known as the Grammar School. Where were the others? Who worked there? What did pupils learn? This interactive club session will explore the life and times of secondary schooling in Chippenham through […]
A History Portal Club meeting. Together, we’ll explore the beautiful maternity hospital where many Chippenham people were born or welcomed their children. When was it built? Who lived there originally? Why did it become a hospital? This friendly and interactive club session will explore the building’s heyday and the changing face of maternity care in […]
Friends of Chippenham Museum supports the museum by fundraising, promoting activities and organising an enjoyable social programme for members. Being a Friend gives you the opportunity to receive newsletters with special interest articles and news from the Museum, attend monthly coffee afternoons called Heritage Café for socialising and special interest talks, and take part in […]
Developing the themes explored in Chippenham Museum’s exhibition 'Subversive Forms', this symposium day will feature illustrated talks and discussion panel with six of the exhibiting artists. Felicity Aylieff, Nicholas Lees, Halima Cassell, Patricia Volk, Jonathan Keep and Mimi Joung will discuss the work included in the exhibition as well as their individual practices, pushing the […]
This month, Paul Stanford is returning for a third talk which encompasses his passion as fourth generation railwayman with local knowledge of a bygone era. A Train Journey Chippenham to Swindon on Sea will be a journey in archive railway photographs from Chippenham to Weymouth by train through charming Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset through to […]
Join us for this free talk and take home free seeds and trees! We're really excited to host a fantastic talk by Gareth Harris of Wiltshire Bat Group on the incredible bats in our county - from widespread species to important populations of rarer bats such as Greater horseshoe bats, Bechstein’s bats and Barbastelle bats.Join […]
In March’s installment of our free art talk series, we will be joined by John L Harris and Genevieve Sioka. John L Harris graduated in graphic design at Ravensbourne College of Art in 1966. In the following years he worked as a graphic designer, film producer, illustrator and painter in watercolour, acrylics and oils. Having […]
Together, we’ll explore the town's women who weren't exactly respectable in the eyes of society - witches, criminals, herbalists, prostitutes, and those who didn't conform to what a well-behaved person should have done. Who were some of Chippenham's disreputable characters? Where was the first executed witch in England based? What did the herbalist do to […]
In April’s installment of our free art talk series, we will be joined by Andrew Cross and Hugh Hamshaw Thomas. After studying fine art painting at the Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, Andrew Cross worked primarily as an organiser of contemporary art exhibitions and public art projects. More recently he has focused on his own […]
This month a representative from F.W. Jones will give a talk on The Funerals of Chippenham’s History. Frederick William Jones began the business as both a funeral director and cabinetmaker in 1930. Since then, the business has progressed through two successive Jones generations, serving the community of Chippenham throughout those years. The F.W. Jones team […]
