Our next visit
Sadly our visit to the Mary Rose, due to take place on 20th May 2020, had to be cancelled due to concerns about the Covid-19 virus. We plan to re-book it for the same time in 2022.
Previous visits
2019 – SS GREAT BRITAIN
This year we arranged a coach trip to visit the SS Great Britain on Wednesday 5th June. The visit included a visit to the Brunel Institute and the new museum, Being Brunel.
The ship is an amazing structure to see up close. Even if you’ve visited it before, there is always something new to see. The recently opened museum about Brunel himself was also very impressive. It incorporated many interactive features, including a test of your ability to draw a perfect circle while in a rocking train carriage.
The Brunel Institute was closed in the morning because the BBC were filming inside, but when they let us in, staff had found several references to Langport in their archives, which were laid out on display for us to examine. A most exciting discovery from a copy letter was that Brunel himself visited Langport on 30th January 1836. He was being consulted about proposed improvements to the navigation of the River Parrett at Langport, and wrote to Mr Broadmead the following day with his report. We will make an appointment to go back and learn more some time in the future.
2018 – DAWES’ TWINE WORKS, WEST COKER
This year’s visit was to the Twine Works at West Coker on Wednesday 16th May. Our tour guide was dressed in period costume, including a Brunel-type tall hat. Members were treated to a detailed account of how rope and twine were made, and the important part they played in the days of sail. We were pleased to support this hidden gem and its work to preserve a unique story.
2017 – JOHN BOYD TEXTILES, CASTLE CARY
2016 – SHERBORNE CASTLE
2015 – THE POPPY FACTORY, RICHMOND, SURREY
The visit to the Poppy Factory in Richmond was a great success. After the guided tour members enjoyed a lunch on the premises and many came away with a poppy they’d made themselves.
2014 – HARTLAND ABBEY, NORTH DEVON
This year we went to Hartland Abbey, near Bideford. Built in 1175, and extensively rebuilt in the 18thC, Hartland Abbey is still the Stucley family home. Gertrude Jekyll helped redesign parts of the gardens. An exhibition, beach walk and Tea Rooms are just some of the attractions available. The weather was kind to us and the tea room a delicious revelation.
2013 – ST FAGANS MUSEUM, CARDIFF
The weather was not as kind to us at St Fagans, but because the nature of the museum is a variety of reconstructed historic buildings, there were plenty of places to duck in to to avoid the showers.
2012 – COTHELSTONE MANOR, TAUNTON
Our visit to Cothelstone Manor on 25th May 2012 was a resounding success. About 40 members and guests gathered there on a lovely hot afternoon, and greatly enjoyed the guided tour of the house and the church. Nigel and his wife Finny made us feel very welcome, and the delicious tea rounded off proceedings very well.