The Bradford on Avon Museum and Preservation Trust Lecture Series 2026
The summer programme of talks, so well attended last year, will restart after Easter 2026. They will be held once again in the United Church, St Margaret’s St, on the 2nd Thursday of each month from April 9th to September 10th. Doors will open at 7.00 p.m. for coffee and tea before a 7.30 p.m start. Tickets will be £8 for members and £ 10 for non-members, available on the door (cash and card) and also in advance from Ex Libris (cash only), The Shambles.
9th April – David Dawson, Devizes Assize Court – the new home of the Wiltshire Museum
The £14.8 million Assizes for Devizes project will transform the derelict Assize Court building into a spectacular new home for the Museum after bring derelict for decades. The director of the Museum will speak on the most exciting museum project in the county for many years.
14th May – Dr Len Fisher, Science in Everyday Life – from Dunking Biscuits to Coping with Artificial Intelligence
An entertaining talk by the renowned Australian science author resident in Bradford, winner of the spoof IgNobel Prize in 1999 for his important work on dunking biscuits, awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to science communication.
11th June – Dan Farrell, Alex Moulton, engineer, his achievements and legacy
Dan Farrell, Technical Lead at the Moulton Bicycle Co., and historian of the Moulton family and the rubber industry in Bradford, will speak on the most famous Moulton, pioneering engineer, inventor of the suspension for the Mini car and creator of the Moulton bicycle.
9th July – Alan Soldat, The mystery of the Wansdyke
The author of The Quest for Wansdyke will explain one of England’s most mysterious earthworks, that stretches for some 35 miles across North Somerset and Wiltshire and has engaged archaeologists for centuries.
13th August – Ralph Oswick, Life and times with the Bath Natural Theatre Company and Lady Margaret
A talk by the founder of Bath’s contribution to global street theatre and creator of one of the great comic characters of the alternative circuit, about a life lived to the full.
10th September – James Davies, Architectural portraits – photographing our heritage
The chief photographer of English Heritage, who photographed the buildings of Wiltshire and many other counties for the Buildings of England series, has particular renown for his images of modern architecture. He will talk about a career seeking perfection in a single shot.