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Photo of Heytesbury by Diane Vose
Legends of Clarendon Palace
Set on an isolated hillside, far from any village or public road, the ruins of medieval Clarendon Palace are a romantic and atmospheric sight. Once a palace for medieval kings, who came here to enjoy hunting deer in Clarendon Park, the buildings fell into disuse under the Tudors.
Duffle Coats in Chippenham
Find out more about the kindness of Robert Sadler and the duffle coat
Earth Day & John Aubrey
A concern for the environment and awareness of environmental change is nothing new. In the seventeenth century, the Wiltshire antiquarian, John Aubrey, was aware of the changing landscapes around his childhood home at Kington St Michael
An Exceptional Woman
An article by John Chandler about his meeting and the life of Heather Tanner.
Ladies of the Manor
Did you know: around 15% of property was being controlled directly by widows across southern England. Mark Forrest explores more, including the complications of wills and passing manors through the female line
A RUNAWAY CHIPPENHAM BUS
It was pitch-black, one imagines, in wartime Chippenham market place, when at 9.55 pm on 22 December 1940 a double-decker bus bound for Hullavington, its headlamps masked in accordance with blackout regulations, attempted to depart. But the journey wasn’t a smooth one…
Exploring Wiltshire History
John Chandler is beginning to edit our work on the outlying parts of Chippenham, he spent a couple of days between Christmas and New Year exploring on foot some of the places he had not visited before, or not for many years. Join him on his exploration.
Christmas Carol for the Year 1780 by Michael Burrough
The author of this Christmas carol was mayor of Salisbury, whose attempts at verse remained unpublished.
Wiltshire Christmas Carols
An excerpt from A Wessex Nativity compiled by John Chandler, we look at 3 Christmas Carols from Poulton, Castle Eaton and Britford.
Christmas Day – The Family Sitting by John Meade Falkner
An excerpt from A Wessex Nativity compiled by John Chandler - this poem was written by John Meade Falkner in the 1900’s
Christmas Charity in Whiteparish
Donating to charity at Christmas isn’t new. Read all about the charitable donations made in Whiteparish throughout the years.
Christmas Charity in Chippenham
Christmas is a time for giving, not only presents to family and friends, but an opportunity for charities to appeal for funds. This is not new
Moated Site at Kellaways
A second moated high-status dwelling has been found within the parish of Langley Burrell.
The Langley Burrell body snatch
Truth or lie? The curious story of body snatching in Langley Burrell.
The Comfort of Guests
Take a peek inside Langley Hall in the 1760’s when Rev. Robert Ashe spared no expense, including all of the latest facilities.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Wiltshire Victoria County History Trust wishes to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the event of her Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Whiteparish
Celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee where a more relaxed affair in Whiteparish, with donations for the celebrations high and a strong focus on food.
William Plenderleath on Queen Victoria’s Jubilee
Dear old William Plenderleath, rector of Cherhill 1860-91, generally spoke his mind and here we discover his thoughts and feelings on Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.
CHIPPENHAM ANNUAL HERITAGE LECTURE – 14 JUNE 2022
A lecture by Louise Ryland-Epton on ‘Bremhill Parish Through the Ages’ at St Andrew’s Church in Chippenham.