Talks 2025
Every year Uffington Museum invites local historians and archaeologists to entertain us with fascinating talks at our Thomas Hughes Memorial Village Hall.
Our 2025 programme featured a range of engaging and insightful talks celebrating the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Uffington area.
We began the year with a fascinating overview of our unique local archaeological legacy, presented by Jim Gunter, Director of Archaeology at TALITS. The information that Jim presented is available using a link below.
This was followed by an entertaining and informative talk from historian John Farrow, who explored Uffington’s historical connections with the influential Craven family.
We were also pleased to welcome Nicola Cornick, curator at Ashdown House, who shared her research on Uffington’s unexpected links to Jane Austen. Her talk complemented our special exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. You can see a video of this talk below.
In September, Sally-Ann Spence - science educator and founder of the Berrycroft Hub in Ashbury treated us to an amazing "hands-on" presentation of a timeline of history from the Stone Age to the Roman era, including the intriguing world of Bronze Age hoards.
In October we welcomed Sjoerd Vogt for a talk on Tolkien and The Faringdon Folly Tower. You can see a video of this talk below.
In November Liz Derrington presented a talk about the effects of the railway on Swindon's social history. A video of this talk is be available below.
Our 2025 programme featured a range of engaging and insightful talks celebrating the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Uffington area.
We began the year with a fascinating overview of our unique local archaeological legacy, presented by Jim Gunter, Director of Archaeology at TALITS. The information that Jim presented is available using a link below.
This was followed by an entertaining and informative talk from historian John Farrow, who explored Uffington’s historical connections with the influential Craven family.
We were also pleased to welcome Nicola Cornick, curator at Ashdown House, who shared her research on Uffington’s unexpected links to Jane Austen. Her talk complemented our special exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. You can see a video of this talk below.
In September, Sally-Ann Spence - science educator and founder of the Berrycroft Hub in Ashbury treated us to an amazing "hands-on" presentation of a timeline of history from the Stone Age to the Roman era, including the intriguing world of Bronze Age hoards.
In October we welcomed Sjoerd Vogt for a talk on Tolkien and The Faringdon Folly Tower. You can see a video of this talk below.
In November Liz Derrington presented a talk about the effects of the railway on Swindon's social history. A video of this talk is be available below.
Here are the talks given in 2025:
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The Spirit of the Ridgeway
Jim Gunter 25th February 2025 |
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The Craven Family and Ashdown House
John Farrow 24th March 2025 |
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Pride and Patronage
How the Craven family of Ashdown House inspired Jane Austen Nicola Cornick 30th June 2025 |
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Bronze Age Hoards
Sally-Ann Spence Monday 8th September Find out more about this talk and see a gallery of pictures HERE...
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Tolkien and the Faringdon Folly Tower
Sjoerd Vogt Monday 6th October |
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Steam... The New Wonder
How the arrival of GWR Reinvented Swindon Liz Derrington Monday 3rd November |
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