We meet for Illustrated Talks on the last Monday of the month in the Bridport United Church Hall at:
2:30 pm September – November and January – April.
This is just a taster of what we do, if you would like more information contact our Membership Secretary
Talk about The Shetlands - October 27th, 2025 2:30pm
Bridport United Church Hall Speaker Peter Watson During Peter’s career in the oil industry he managed to visit many locations across the world. One of the most interesting was spent in the Shetlands where he was for eight years. The talk will highlight life in the Shetlands with his family and it shows how the islands have changed since he left.
Talk on Arts and Crafts, Houses and Gardens - November 24th, 2025 2:30pm
Bridport United Church Hall Speaker Paul Atterbury
Between the 1880’s and 1930’s domestic architecture, interior design and small gardens were radically changed by the Arts and Crafts ideas, styles and philosophies. It started with William Morris and was then carried forward by Lutyens, Voysey and Gertrude Jekyll. Paul will show us how these changes laid the foundation for the way we live today.
Social: Quiz and Fish/Chicken ‘n’ Chip Lunch - November 27th, 2025 11:30am
W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport
Come along and stimulate the grey cells with an interesting but not-too-controversial quiz, with prizes to be won for top scoring table and a small booby prize for the lowest scoring table. This year our Quiz Master is Kathy Hince.
The quiz is divided into two with lunch plus coffee/tea and mints at half time.
Come on your own or with friends, everyone is welcome for a fun sociable event. Even if you are alone, you are guaranteed to meet someone for a chat since all the tables are made up of three or four people.
Places are limited so book early and not later than Thursday 20th November 2025.
Talk: The German Occupation of the Channel Islands in WWII - January 26th, 2026 2:30pm
Bridport United Church Hall Speaker Lt Col James Porter
James retired in 2011 with the rank of Lt. Col. after a 41-year career in the Army. After that he spent 10 years as a skipper instructor and qualified as a battle field guide. He runs the Wessex Military History group and is a researcher at the Keep Museum in Dorchester.
Talk: Mapperton House, Gardens and the Montague Family - February 23rd, 2026 2:30pm
Bridport United Church Hall Speaker Peter Rand
Peter is a retired CEO and has lived in Dorset for the past 15 years. He is a lover of history and became a Mapperton guide in 2022. Following the Estate’sapproval he has taken Mapperton and the history of the Montague family on tour.
Talk: Reminiscences of a Dancing Man - April 27th, 2026 2:30pm
Bridport United Church Hall Speaker Richard Wirdnam
The title of the talk is the snme of a poem by Thomas Hardy. Richard has been a member of the Thomas Hardy Society and has helped edit their journal. He is interested in the references of dancing in Hardy’s poems. He will be playing some traditional tunes to illustrate his talk.
