Talk - Back to Hearth and Home: Women Between the Wars
2023-07-20 18:30 - 19:30 (Europe/London) | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join us for the second talk in our summer series linked to our current exhibition ‘Chippenham Between the Wars’.
The Flapper has become the iconic image of the Roaring Twenties, a young woman with short hair and hem line to match, enjoying new freedoms brought about by the emerging female workforce of the First World War.
This talk, with museum Engagement Officer Elaine Davis, will explore the role of women in the 1920s and 30s and will consider how representative the Flapper image really is.
The museum will be open until 6.30pm so visitors can enjoy the exhibition before the talk.
Free but booking essential via eventbrite here.

Talk - The 1921 Census: Highlights and Top Tips
2023-08-31 18:30 - 19:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join us for the final free talk in our summer series linked to our current exhibition ‘Chippenham Between the Wars’ as we are joined by Dr. Jessamy Carlson from The National Archives.
In this talk, Dr. Jessamy Carlson, will talk about the recent release of the 1921 Census, discuss the findings to date, and share some top tips for making the most of this genealogical resource.
The museum will be open until 6.30pm so visitors can enjoy the exhibition before the talk.
Dr. Jessamy Carlson leads the Community & Transport team in the Collections Expertise & Engagement department at The National Archives.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talk-the-1921-census-highlights-and-top-tips-tickets-658281667187

Writing, Publishing and the Secrets of Success
2023-09-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Chippenham Library
Join our local Wiltshire writers Rachel Brimble, L.B. Griffin and JS. (Jane) Lark as they let us into the secrets of successfully writing and publishing a novel.

Make Do and Mend: Go Green at the Library
2023-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Chippenham Library
Do you remember having to ‘make do and mend’? Come along and enjoy sharing your memories with others, plus find out more about how people were ‘going green’ in the post-war years.
You will be warmly welcomed by Julie Davis, the session lead and Local Studies Librarian at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.
Places limited. Please book in advance at the library desk or on 01249 650 536.

Let’s Kick Fraud Out
2023-10-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Chippenham Community Hub
Come along to Chippenham Hub where Rachel Davi’s, the Wiltshire & Swindon Fraud Prevention Officer will be joined by local bank representatives to talk about how we can combat the rising crime of fraud in our town.

Writing and Researching a Novel with Keith Stuart
2023-11-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Chippenham Library
Join best-selling author and journalist Keith Stuart as he talks about the process of research for a novelist. Covering both historic and contemporary periods, including fascinating research on wartime Bath, this talk is sure to interest anyone who has ever wondered how a novel is written.

Collection Conversations
2024-01-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join in our exciting new series of art talks at Chippenham Museum. Book your tickets via Eventbrite.
Artists from the museum’s Modern and Contemporary Art collection will be talking about their work, providing insights into their inspiration and practice. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions with the audience encouraged to join in the conversation.
Coming up:
Mark Golder – Saturday 27 January
Richard Deacon – Saturday 17 February
Anita Taylor – Saturday 20 April
Sarah Gillespie & Amy-Jane Blackhall – Saturday 25 May
James Castle & Anna Gillespie – Saturday 22 June
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.

Collection Conversations
2024-03-23 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-05-25 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-22 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-07-27 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-21 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-10-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join in our exciting new series of art talks at Chippenham Museum. Book your tickets via Eventbrite.
Artists from the museum’s Modern and Contemporary Art collection will be talking about their work, providing insights into their inspiration and practice. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions with the audience encouraged to join in the conversation.
Coming up:

Rosalind Whitehouse – Saturday 23 March
Anita Taylor – Saturday 20 April
Sarah Gillespie & Amy-Jane Blackhall – Saturday 25 May
James Castle & Anna Gillespie – Saturday 22 June
Rosalind Robinson & Claire Loder – Saturday 27 July
Helen Simmonds & Penny Grist – Saturday 24 August
Nicholas Lees & Jo Taylor – Saturday 21 September
Ian Chamberlain & Sandra Porter – Saturday 19 October
Ron George & Alun Crockford – Saturday 23 November
Iain Cotton, Richard Crooks & Guy Thomas – Saturday 14 December

Monthly from 2pm – 3.30pm
Free, booking essential
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.

Heritage Open Day 2024
2024-09-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Neeld Community & Arts Centre, The Neeld, High Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3ER, United Kingdom
Hidden on the High Street – Behind the Scenes at the Neeld and Town Hall.
Join us on a tour to explore areas of the historical Neeld and Town Hall which are usually off-limits. Learn about our fascinating history and find out more about Joseph Neeld, our namesake and benefactor.
Delve into the secret corners of the Neeld and Town Hall to discover behind-the-scenes areas such as the tech booth, backstage and Mayor’s Parlour.
Our free guided tour will tell you more about the fascinating history of our buildings.
The Neeld has played several different roles in the heart of the Chippenham community, including a Cheese Market and a WW1 Hospital. Following a refurbishment project in 2015, The Neeld is a thriving Community and Arts Centre with an exciting programme of professional shows and local groups’ activities. The Town Hall was opened in 1834 and remains the civic heart of the town and home of Chippenham Town Council.
Tours will take place at 10am and midday (duration approx. 45 minutes). Each tour will have a maximum of 20 people so pre-booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Children’s colouring activity available. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Certain areas of this tour are only accessible by stairs.
Our customer service desk will be open throughout the day but the tour must be pre-booked.
There is parking nearby at Bath Road car park (long stay) or Borough Parade car park (short stay). We are also within walking distance of the bus station and train station.
Tickets: Free
Duration: 45 minutes
Please contact the venue for any access requirements.
Tickets are also available through our Box Office on 01249 446699, from the Neeld Box Office or at the Town Hall.

Cepen Lodge: Financial Planning for Later Life
2024-09-23 18:00 | Cepen Lodge Care Home
Cepen Lodge care home, in Chippenham have invited members of the local community to a seminar discussing the worries of planning for future care and later life.
Taking place on the 23rd September at 6pm, guests will have a chance to meet solicitors from Forrester Sylvester Mackett, domiciliary care providers Right at Home, Co-Op Funeral Care and the team from Cepen Lodge who will be discussing how to plan for care and later life.
Topics will include what it means to have a Power of Attorney, different choices available when needing care and support, funeral planningand how to manage care fees. On the day, guests will also have a chance to discuss their individual concerns with one of the specialists attending.

The Arts Society Kington Langley
2024-10-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-11-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-12-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Street, Kington Langley , Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5NJ, United Kingdom
Come and join us for monthly lectures on the arts given by expert lecturers. Our new season start in October and we meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 11:00.
The next lecture is ‘Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920’ by Dr Amy Lim which will take place at Kington Langley Village Hall on 1 October at 11:00.
£8 for a single lecture or £40 annual. For further details of our programme for the coming year please visit our website at https://taskl.org.uk

Unlock Your Happy
2024-10-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Pewsham Community Centre, Lodge Road, Chippenham, SN5 3SY
Are you ready to take control and start living your BEST life? Join us for an incredible day on Tuesday, 8 October 2024, from 10 AM to 3 PM, where we’ll dive into the 7 keys to finding and staying centered in happiness! 😊💛
This hands-on, science-backed workshop will give you the tools to:
✨ Raise your happiness levels
✨ Find purpose and control in your life
✨ Build emotional resilience
✨ Leave feeling empowered, centered, and ready to take on the world!
🧠 What to Expect:
Interactive exercises to boost your happiness
Science-based techniques proven to help you feel more joyful
A friendly, supportive group atmosphere
🍽 PLUS: A tasty sandwich lunch, snacks, and refreshments are included, all for just £45 per person! 🌿
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this life-changing experience. Book your spot today and start unlocking your happiest self! 🎉
📅 Date: Tuesday, 8 October 2024
📍 Location: Pewsham Hall, Chippenham, SN15 3SY
💸 Price: £45 (including lunch & refreshments)
To book visit: https://serotoninsam.com/book-here
Let’s get happy together—it’s your birthright! 💫💛
If you have any queries please feel free to call me on 07492 683427
#UnlockYourHappy #LiveYourBestLife #HappinessWorkshop #ChippenhamEvents #mentalwellbeingmatters #happiness#happinesstrainer #chippenham #chippenhamwiltshire #melksham #melksham #calne #devizes #devizeswiltshire #corsham #corshamlife #wiltshire #wiltshirelife #bristol #bristollife #bristoluk #trowbridge #positivevibes #positivethinking

Fun with Story Plots
2024-10-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Chippenham Library
If you are a keen writer, a fan of Mr Darcy or you just enjoy talking about books and finding out more about how they are written, then we have a treat for you!
Come along on Wednesday 16 October at 2pm, meet local authors Jane Lark and Lucy King and have fun exploring a story from a character’s mindset.
Tickets are £3 each and can be booked at the library or on 01249 650536.

Grief Encounters, a talk by Nigel Linacre
2024-12-02 14:30 - 16:00 | Chippenham Library
Most of us will be unprepared for grief. Nigel will share his journey after his son’s death, with lyrics and verse from the Grief Opera, Love Goes On, as featured on BBC and ITV. There will be an opportunity to share and ask questions.
This is a free event, but space is limited, so please book in advance.
There will be CDs available to purchase and a collection for the charity Suicide & Co.
To reserve a place or for more information, pop in or call us on 01249 650536

Collection Conversations: Ann Christopher
2025-03-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
In our next Collection Conversation, we will be joined by Ann Christopher, the youngest female sculptor to be elected to the Royal Academy in 1980. Ann work is non-figurative, whether as works on paper or sculptures cast bronze, stainless steel and silver. Her inspiration draws from a broad range of visual sources: from modern architecture to rugged coastlines, plant structures and ancient artefacts.
Free, booking essential
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.
Image: Changing Spaces 1-3, 2018/19, Ann Christopher, carborundum, hand finished with graphite and pen (images courtesy of Steve Russell Studios)

Collection Conversations: Felicity Aylieff
2025-03-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
In our next Collection Conversation, we will be joined by Felicity Aylieff.
Educated at the Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, Felicity Aylieff went on to teach ceramics at Bath Spa University. She is currently Professor of Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art. An artist residency in Jingdezhen, China, led to a lasting collaborative relationship with porcelain factories in city, where she also now has a studio. Her series of monumental pots, the largest of which stand over four metres high, demonstrate her passion for material and process and historically informed decorative technique
Ink Blue can be seen on display in our Materials & Making art gallery.
Free, booking essential
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.

Moths, Butterflies, and How to Avoid Being Eaten
2025-04-11 19:00 | King Alfred Hall, Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HT
Nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts in Chippenham are in for a treat! On Friday 11th April, Michael Sammes from Baydons Meadow Wildlife Group will be hosting an engaging talk on ‘Moths and Butterflies and How to Avoid Being Eaten’ at King Alfred Hall.
This fascinating session will delve into the incredible survival tactics of moths and butterflies—creatures that are not only beautiful but also crucial to our ecosystem. Sadly, their numbers are declining at an alarming rate in the UK due to climate change and habitat loss. Learn more about what can be done to protect these delicate species.
The event is also in support of WellBoring, a locally based charity dedicated to providing clean water solutions to communities in need. While entry is free, attendees will be invited to make donations to help this important cause.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a keen gardener, or just curious about nature, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Event Details at a Glance:
Date: Friday, 11th April
Time: 6.30pm (refreshments available), talk starts at 7pm
Location: King Alfred Hall, Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HT
Entry: Free but donations welcomed for WellBoring
We look forward to seeing you there!

Collection Conversations: Katherine Gili
2025-04-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
In April’s edition of a talk series, Collection Conversations, we will be joined by Katherine Gili.
A student of the Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, she later attended the St Martin’s School of Art, where she was introduced to the use of steel by her tutor, Anthony Caro.
Gili’s work combines the use of steel construction with her search for increasingly sensual and subjective means of expression. Over time, this has led Gili to develop her sculpture away from the industrial aesthetic of steel, towards one based on an increasing manipulation of this seemingly intractable material. Her work continues to explore notions of weight and balance in response to movement and the dynamic figure.
As well as featuring in national and international collections including the Tate, Arts Council, and The Henry Moore Institute, Gili’s work is also in display in our current exhibition.
