Calne Heritage Centre

Calne Heritage Centre will be closed from the 23rd December 2019 to 3rd March 2020 inclusive and reopen at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 4 th March. During the closed period visits can be arranged by appointment and the Centre will still be available to hire for meetings. We will also continue to deal with local history queries by phone, letter or email. If you wish to make use of any of these services please ring Sue Boddington on 01380 828851 or email the Centre on email@calneheritage.co.uk

A display of the work of local people who create art for a hobby rather than a living. Where: Calne Heritage Centre. When: 6th to 24th November 2019. Opening hours: 10.00-4.00 Wed-Sat. 2.00-4.00 Sunday. Cost: Admission Free.

Libraries in Calne have a long history With The Calne Literary Institution having 400 volumes accessible to annual subscribers by 1852. With around 80 members paying a shilling per quarter. By 1870, the Literary Institution had begun discussions about raising money for a free library for Calne.   Canon Duncan was very active as the president of the literary institution and by 1871, the reading room and library was opened by Lord Fitzmaurice, M.P., free for use by the inhabitants of Calne, with 1200 volumes. During the opening Fitzmaurice said of the free library: “Although, in educational matters Calne had always held their equal position with neighbouring places, in this matter, it was infinitely ahead of them”. Calne's Carnegie Library Carnegie and Calne’s Free Library However, by the 1880s interest in the Literary Institution was fading, along with the funds. In 1903, George Gough, the Town Clerk had written to Andrew Carnegie’s private secretary as...

Calne Heritage Centre Summer Exhibition 2019 The Life and Times of Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Highlighting his Stay in Calne 1814-16 Where: Calne Heritage Centre When: 7th August to 29th September 2019 Times: Wed to Sat 10.00-4.00 and Sunday 2.00 -4.00 Price: Entry Free - Donations very welcome.

Many thanks to John Osbourne, who has brought in some more of his research for sharing. This time on Dr. Pownall, one time mayor of Calne, who was found not guilty of the murder of Louisa Cooke due to insanity became an inmate at Broadmoor until his death in 1882. Read the full account of this tragedy by downloading the PDF

Calne Heritage Week 2019 will take place between 16 - 22 September 2019. Calne Heritage Week 2019 programmes are available to collect at Calne Heritage Centre and at the Calne Town Council offices at Bank House. I've also made a PDF version available to download here: http://bit.ly/CalneHeritageWeek2019PDF (Please note that we have been informed that the Bowood voucher needs to be printed if downloaded)

Bowood House Many thanks to John Osborne for dropping by and giving us an updated copy of his detailed research on the Bowood Tragedy, which includes the events, Inquest and verdict, and a photograph of the grave stone. John's research begins: " One of the most shocking tragedies that have ever been recorded in the annuals of Calne was discovered last Wednesday evening, when it was found that a man had brutally murdered his wife in Bowood Park, and afterwards committed suicide by drowning himself in a stream a few yards from where the murder took place." Please download the PDF to read this compelling story.

Demolition! It's been 35 years since the demolition of the Harris Factory. This exhibition shows Last Days of the C&T Harris Building in Visual Images, written history and an interactive screen. Available to view - for free - from 1 May to the 23 June during our standard open hours.

We are pleased to announce a free book for the first 10 Friends of 2019. The 4 books available are: Calne in Camera Calne in Photographs Calne District Soldiers An Introduction to Crop Circles The Friends scheme costs £10 and runs from April to April.  An application for can be collected from Calne Heritage Centre or downloaded from our website at: http://www.calneheritage.co.uk/p/projects.html When an application is received, our Curator, Sue Boddington will be in touch regarding the free book. Please see the image for further information or contact us: email@calneheritage.co.uk

Celestial Dwelling Places: Local Anglican Churches in Photographs Join us as Calne Heritage Centre for a photographic exhibition of local Anglican churches. February 27th- April 21st 2019.   Entry Free, with donations appreciated. Open Wed-Sat 10.00-4.00 Sun 2.00-4.00