Events

Private tour of Shere Museum, expert talks and afternoon tea

24th March 2018, 14:30 - 17:00

This is a great opportunity to discover more about historic Shere, Tales of the Tillingbourne and Barnes Wallis display at Shere Museum and Memorial Hall. Join Eric Thornton from Shere Museum and the Chairman of Surrey Hills Society, Chris Howard for an afternoon exploring much more of the history of Shere and the Tillingbourne Valley.

Chris will talk about progress on the Tales of the Tillingbourne. This includes telling the story of the industrial history of this valley, which during Tudor times was one of the most industrialised in the country. The valley had one of the world’s biggest gunpowder factories at Chilworth, and at least 24 other industrial mills and 12 other industries. The Surrey Hills AONB led on an HLF project during 2015-16 which researched and brought to life this forgotten history.  Seven industries were identified and a real person from each mill and period was researched and then created into a model character.  These characters were brought to life by the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Group who took workshops into local schools. A comprehensive website, a booklet and a series of short walks leaflets are a legacy of the project.  The project also included improvements at Shere Museum so that a permanent display on the project could be housed.

Eric Thorton will give a talk on the engineer and inventor, Barnes Wallis and his Bouncing Bomb in WWII – currently an exhibition at the Museum.  Barnes Wallis and his family lived locally at Effingham. His many inventions include the first use of geodetic design in engineering and in the gasbag wiring of Vickers’ R100 in 1930 (at the time the largest airship designed). After the outbreak of WWII in 1939, Wallis saw a need for a strategic bombing campaign to destroy the Germany’s ability to wage war. He proposed huge bombs that could concentrate their force and destroy targets which were otherwise unlikely to be affected. Wallis’s first super-large bomb design came out at some ten tonnes, far more than any current bomber could carry. Rather than drop the idea, this led him to suggest a plane that could carry it – the “Victory Bomber”.

You will also enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, including sandwiches, cake and scones created by the SHS Events Committee, while learning more about this fascinating corner of the Surrey Hills. The cost will be £10.00 for members, and £12.00 for non-members, which includes tea/coffee on arrival, talks and privately led tour of Shere Museum followed by an afternoon tea of sandwiches, cake and scones,.

Booking is essential and numbers are limited. If you would like to join us would you please complete the online booking form at the bottom of the page or return the downloadable slip below before 21st March 2018. Please include a stamped addressed envelope if you are not booking online, so you may be sent full details, directions and locations for the visit.  This visit is not aimed at children.

For further details and enquiries, contact us at Info@surreyhillssociety.org or on mobile 07530 949302.

DOWNLOADABLE BOOKING FORM

Please note that the Surrey Hills Society and its Event partners accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or personal injury during events. Participants are requested to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and take due care and attention.
The Society uses members’ photographs on social media and on our website.  If you are not happy to have your photo taken during this event, please notify us in writing prior to the event and make the event organiser aware on the day.

By continuing and making a booking you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Terms & Conditions specified in our Cancellation Policy and Responsibility Statement, both of which can be viewed by clicking here


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