The Charltons Historical Society collects, transcribes and makes available information, memories, maps, photographs, etc relating to the history of our villages. We also organise meetings with speakers of local or more general historical interest.

2008 MEETINGS:   We meet at 7.30 for 8pm (in the skittle alley of the Fox & Hounds in Charlton Adam unless otherwise advertised)

Monday 21st January  -  An illustrated talk from the volunteers researching the landscape history of Lytes Cary for the National Trust - including Thomas Lyte's Commonplace Book of 1611.  This meeting also includes a short AGM.

Monday 25th February - a talk on the Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury (and some Victorian recipes) by Zaida Haworth (Chair of the Friends of the Rural Life Museum) 

Monday 17th March - a talk on "Somerset Castles" by Robert Dunning (former editor of the Victoria County History of Somerset)

Monday 21st April - Bill Putnam (a specialist in Roman archaeology and formerly lecturer at Bournemouth University) on "The truth behind the Da Vinci Code"

Monday 19th May  -  Arthur Thring will talk about his memories of Charlton House and life in The Charltons last century.

Monday 16th June  -  a talk by Mary Siraut (who spoke last year on the Dickinsons of Kingweston and is now editor of the Somerset VCH) on "Wills".

Meetings in 2007 included:
the history of the Somerton Waterworks near Lytes Cary and families who worked there; the recent renovation work at Lytes Cary House;  Mary Siraut on the Dickinson family of Kingweston and the introduction of new farming methods in the early 19th century;  Jean Harper of the South Somerset Heritage Centre on the Gloving industry;  a historical walk around Somerton;  Church Bells and Bell-ringing by Michael Horseman;  Ben Vessey, Head of History at Millfield School;  and our Chairman on WW2 buildings in Yeovil and area (replacing a postponed talk by John Dallimore of the Somerset Vernacular Buildings Research Group).

Membership is £5 per year - or there is a £1 charge for visitors attending meetings.
You can contact us via this website.