Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Opening of a new display celebrating Bruton’s close links with R. D. Blackmore’s Lorna Doone and Conan Doyle’s Micah Clark, two classic Victorian novels set in Somerset at the time of the battle of Sedgemoor (1685), followed by an illustrated talk by historical novelist, Gary Kearley.

Gary Kearley is a local historian, co-author of Secret Frome (2019) and author of Fear Nothing But God – a novel based upon his extensive research into the Monmouth Rebellion.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

A talk to celebrate the publication of a new book, 50 Finds From Somerset: Objects from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, exploring the history of Somerset through 50 finds. The objects are all recent discoveries made by members of the public and reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. These finds, and thousands of others recorded by the Scheme, are helping us re-write our understanding of Somerset’s past. The author, Laura Burnett, will explore the stories of some of the finds in the book in more detail, and show you a few additional favourites that she had to leave out.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

A nerdy schoolboy in the 1950s developing a love for books, bells, and music; a liking of trips to Cleve and Glastonbury abbeys (before mass tourism) rather than the seaside; a chorister thrilled by church music. All this led to John’s discovery of the Franciscan Order in his late thirties and his being professes as a Tertiary after a three-year novitiate. It was a joy for him to be called to the Hilfield community to serve as bursar and cantor for six years before his arrival in Bruton. With John Reynolds TSSF.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

This talk will share the findings of research about Pitcombe from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the present day. It will include the exploration of oral history, documentary, landscape, architectural and archaeological evidence, and indulge the speaker’s obsession with what we can learn about the culture of the past from the changes in our language.
Emma Craigie has been living in Pitcombe for more than 30 years.
The Sound of the Sky: A Memoir of a Place is due to be published by New River in 2025. It is a personal and partly imagined account of Pitcombe’s history which reflects on the impact of the past on our present lives.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

When better than All Hallows Eve to discover the remarkable history of Bruton’s only trial for witchcraft? Find out who and why three women, in the Autumn of 1689, ended up in court on Bruton’s High Street and the grim story of what became of them. With Andy Pickering.

‘Dracula in Space’ – an all singing, all dancing Halloween show.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Paranormal investigator and creator of a number of unique ghost walks in Somerset and Exmoor, Bobbie Rammond is a graduate historian with a passion for all aspects of the history and folklore of Somerset. Do come along and hear his stories and maybe share with him some of your own!

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Storytelling and fruit and vegetable fun for the young as we join the waiting game for a new baby with author Tracy Darnton. Is this 'onion' going to make them cry? Will they fit in the bath with a massive 'watermelon'? And, of course, can you cuddle an avocado?
Tracy Darnton is an award-winning author of young adult thrillers Ready or Not, The Rules and The Truth About Lies which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and was a World Book Night title. Her first picture book My Brother is An Avocado, illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail, is out now with Simon & Schuster. She lives in a quiet village near Bath and loves avocados. 

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Archaeologist and military historian John Smith will explore archaeological evidence of Roman military equipment through re-enactment and how this translates into creating a picture of the Roman soldier. John Smith has been involved in archaeology for 40 years and worked at two Roman Villas – Rockbourne, near Fordingbridge and Bignor in Sussex where he was Curator for 3 years.

Suitable for all ages.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Archaeologist and military historian John Smith will explore archaeological evidence of Roman military equipment through re-enactment and how this translates into creating a picture of the Roman soldier. John Smith has been involved in archaeology for 40 years and worked at two Roman Villas – Rockbourne, near Fordingbridge and Bignor in Sussex where he was Curator for 3 years.

Suitable for all ages.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

On the anniversary of the battle of Agincourt (25 October 1415), historical bowyer, Michael Burgess, will explain his craft and aspects of the history behind it.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Sarah Lloyd-Winter is a highly qualified teacher, researcher and professional storyteller who seeks out tales from around the world. She recently completed ‘The Secret Storytellers of Wincanton’ project funded by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant and South Somerset District Council. 

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Dr John Chandler is the Chair of the Association of British Local History publishing committee and former county editor, Gloucestershire, for the Victoria County History.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Sarah Lloyd-Winter is a highly qualified teacher, researcher and professional storyteller who seeks out tales from around the world. She recently completed ‘The Secret Storytellers of Wincanton’ project funded by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant and South Somerset District Council. 

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Among many other things, Loyd Grossman CBE is Chairman of The Royal Parks and a highly regarded heritage campaigner. He is an expert on Renaissance and Baroque Rome and the author of acclaimed works including, The Artist and the Eternal City and An Elephant in Rome. And we love his pasta sauce!

Image courtesy of The Royal Parks

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Just what was the mythical Selwood Forest and what exactly remains of it? 

Join local author and heritage tree specialist Julian Hight as he tells the story of Selwood Forest through some of its majestic ancient trees – living links to the ancient forest – and discover its legacy and lore.

The talk will include archive and contemporary photography, history, local stories, and feature specially recorded music and video.

Part of the Bruton Museum Festival of History and Heritage 2023

Join us to celebrate the launch of our souvenir museum guidebook. This is an exclusive event for museum members so sign up in advance or on the night. Reduced-price copies of the guidebook will be available to purchase; wine and nibbles will be served.