Civic Society Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the third Tuesday of each month
during winter (except December).
They are held on
1st Floor, Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne BH21 1AS. (Lift available)
Entrance is from 7.00 p.m. for fee: Members £2.00, non-members £5.00
| Date | Speaker | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||
 |
Wimborne Civic Society's contribution to Dorset Architectural Heritage Week 2026 All four events are ticket only. |
|
| 11 September 3.00pm |
John Allen | Talk 'Coach & Horses, Wimborne - Uncovering a pub’s history or How to become a local buildings detective. An illustrated talk that reveals how by delving into the readily accessible online and public resources the fascinating history of this C17 building and characterful pub was uncovered. As we dig back through the centuries there are glimpses into the social life unfolding in the wider surrounding area. You will leave with an understanding of how you too could undertake a similar search. At the end of the talk there will be the chance for a tour around the premises comparing the modern-day pub layout with how it would have looked and functioned in its 1915 form (which back then included stables!). The talk will be given in the pre-1925 skittle alley, itself a building of note. |
| 15 September 2.30pm |
John Worth | An Architectural Walk Round Wimborne, to include most of the buildings worth looking at in the centre of this historic and attractive town, with plenty of architectural
detail including Wimborne Civic Society`s unusual eighteenth-century Gazebo off West Borough. The Walk will be led by members of the Civic Society, whose predecessors rebuilt the Gazebo some forty years ago. |
| 17 September 10.00am |
John Allen | A Bricks and Mortar Walk Round Wimborne, taking a closer look at many of the buildings of significance in the centre of this historic and attractive town. This walk takes as its focus the brickwork that defines the character of most of Wimborne`s built environment. Learn how, by using a little bit of careful observation, the age and status of many of the town`s buildings can be revealed. |
| 19 September 3.00pm |
John Allen | Talk 'Coach & Horses, Wimborne - Uncovering a pub’s history or How to become a local buildings detective. An illustrated talk that reveals how by delving into the readily accessible online and public resources the fascinating history of this C17 building and characterful pub was uncovered. As we dig back through the centuries there are glimpses into the social life unfolding in the wider surrounding area. You will leave with an understanding of how you too could undertake a similar search. At the end of the talk there will be the chance for a tour around the premises comparing the modern-day pub layout with how it would have looked and functioned in its 1915 form (which back then included stables!). The talk will be given in the pre-1925 skittle alley, itself a building of note. |
| Evening Talks | ||
| 15 September | Paul Cheetham, Visiting Fellow, Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, Bournemouth University. |
Iron Age Dynasties of Dorset. Recent radiocarbon dating and DNA studies of later Iron age burials from Dorset have overturned the believed wisdom regarding the structure of Iron Age society in Dorset. This talk explores the complex societal organisation revealed by this recent research. |
| 20 October | Jo Amey The Tile Lady |
Tiles and other ceramic features are often overlooked yet they add an undeniable interest and charm to our streetscape. There are some interesting examples to be found in the built environment of Wimborne, some easily identified and others that you may not have realised are ceramic at all. The talk also includes tiles in churches as well as the terracotta features on Gaunt's House and around Canford Magna. I hope that this talk will also be an opportunity to share information and maybe fill in some gaps in the stories of the buildings in question.. |
| 17 November | John Worth former Chair, Wimborne Civic Society |
Walter John Fletcher - A Wimborne Architect W.J. Fletcher was a Wimborne man, a competent and hard-working architect, at one time a County Surveyor, also a keen Anglican, with a memorial tablet in the Minster where his brother was the vicar. He built in an attractive, practical art-and-crafts style and contributed several significant buildings to the Wimborne street scene. John Worth's talk will be illustrated with pictures of the work of this under-rated architect. |
| 8 December at 7.00pm |
TO BE HELD IN THE MUSEUM OF EAST DORSET TEA ROOM AT 7.00pm | Christmas Party (members only) |
| Spring 2027 | ||
| 19 January | Chris Brown and Chris Mills | The Wimborne Cemetery An evening in the company of Chris Brown and Chris Mills who will take us on a tour through some of the many facts and stories uncovered by their latest research into the Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves that are located in the cemetery. |
| 16 February | Robert Phillpot, ATCVA Outreach Officer | A Year at the Ancient Technology Centre The talk will first cover how the seasons and a year at the ATC pan out. Their main aim is to educate in a fun and hands on approach, to the thousands of students who pass through the ATC each year. From coppicing local woodland, to buildings, maintaining the site, experimental archaeology, volunteering, TV documentary, film crews, and the positive reactions from students & visitors. Robert will also be joined by Ian Groves (aka Grumpius Maximus) who will endeavour to enlighten on their Roman & Iron Age areas. This will be followed by details of their popular Public open weekends and site tours. |
| 16 March | Keith Loveless Managing Director RLM Architects |
A ramble through some of Dorset's hidden church gems The church is custodian of 1000 years of British history, but what of the relationship with the wider communities in which they sit? Roles and responsibilities going forward will be key. His work gives him the opportunity and privilege to see things often not seen, so he will be sharing some of these insights and photographs. |
| 18 May | Annual General Meeting for Members | With a short talk or presentation TBA |
| 2026 Visits | ||
| 8 September | Edmonsham House | Edmondsham is a remarkable and attractive house, an Elizabethan front with surprisingly different, eighteenth century wings, and an interior full of interesting items in rooms of a liveable size. We will be guided round the House and the Walled Garden. There will be an opportunity to see the medieval village church of St. Nicholas, which stands across the gardens from the house, and we shall finish with tea and cake. |
| 2027 Visits | TBA | |
For further information contact Events |
These lectures take place on Saturday afternoons at 2.30pm. Each season comprises four lectures on historical or cultural topics running between October and March based on a theme for the series.use the link below to see the range of subjects which have previously been covered.
We are proud of what we have achieved so far, but your active participation will help to secure the future quality of life in and around Wimborne.