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History Society talks & events

Our popular WHS Talks are held at the Balsam Centre, Balsam Park BA9 9HB (accessed from Memorial Hall Car Park), usually on the last Wednesday evening of the month. Our nine talks throughout the year range widely, covering local and national topics

Doors open 6.30pm with the talk starting at 7pm.

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Entry Charges
Members: £2 per talk, which includes a free strip of raffle tickets

Non-members: £10.00

Under 18s: free

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From time to time Special Talks are being booked. Last year we heard from John Blashford-Snell, and enjoyed a live performance of Flamenco dancing. Charges for these talks differ from the standard talks charge. Keep an eye on this site for details.​

  • Planning a local Royal visit
    Planning a local Royal visit
    Planning a local Royal visit
    Wed, 29 Jan
    The Balsam Centre
    29 Jan 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    29 Jan 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Alan will outline the extensive and detailed planning that goes into Royal Visits. He describes a particular royal visit where everything that could go wrong did! Though he stresses it wasn't his fault. A light and humorous account of his time in Dorset Police planning public order operations.
  • Weston Zoyland Airfield
    Weston Zoyland Airfield
    Weston Zoyland Airfield
    Wed, 26 Feb
    The Balsam Centre
    26 Feb 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, The Balsam Centre, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    26 Feb 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, The Balsam Centre, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    One of the oldest Airfields in the country, continuation into the Jet Age with Robert Turner
  • The AGM
    The AGM
    The AGM
    Wed, 12 Mar
    The Balsam Centre
    12 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    12 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    The Society AGM. Come along and hear what we have been up to during the past year. Have your say, volunteer and bring along any suggestions to improve the society.
  • The Invasion of Normandy 1944
    The Invasion of Normandy 1944
    The Invasion of Normandy 1944
    Wed, 26 Mar
    The Balsam Centre
    26 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    26 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Brigadier John Smales speaks about the Invasion of Normandy in 1944.
  • History Day
    History Day
    History Day
    Sat, 05 Apr
    Wincanton High Street
    05 Apr 2025, 10:00 – 16:00
    Wincanton High Street, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    05 Apr 2025, 10:00 – 16:00
    Wincanton High Street, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    The third History Day takes over the town. This year's them is "The Horse in Agriculture and Sport". We will have the transport parade, fancy dress, stalls, talks and of course horses.
  • Wincanton Stories of World War II
    Wincanton Stories of World War II
    Wincanton Stories of World War II
    Wed, 30 Apr
    The Balsam Centre
    30 Apr 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, The Balsam Centre, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    30 Apr 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, The Balsam Centre, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Tony Goddard shares some stories of members of Wincanton Royal British Legion and of the town during the Second World War
  • Rorke's Drift
    Rorke's Drift
    Rorke's Drift
    Wed, 28 May
    The Balsam Centre
    28 May 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    28 May 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Duncan Wills. Details tbc

Previous Talks

  • Somerset Secret Chart Makers
    Somerset Secret Chart Makers
    Somerset Secret Chart Makers
    Wed, 27 Nov
    Wincanton
    27 Nov 2024, 19:00 – 21:00
    Wincanton, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    27 Nov 2024, 19:00 – 21:00
    Wincanton, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Adrian Webb navigates us through the secret workings of the Somerset Hydrographic chart-making Dept, that shaped the course of the D-Day landings.
  • Workhouses
    Workhouses
    Workhouses
    Wed, 30 Oct
    The Balsam Centre
    30 Oct 2024, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    30 Oct 2024, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB, UK
    Kirsty Gray explores a subject that was present in every community for several centuries before the start of the current welfare system.
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