Thursday 11th January 2024 – 7:30pm
The Anglo-Saxon Origins of an “English” State – Dr Robert Portass.
Dr Robert Portass of Lincoln University, talks about the origins of the ‘English’ state.
Dr Portass is a Lecturer in Medieval History at Lincoln University. His principal research is the early and central medieval history of the Iberian Peninsula, but he has also conducted research on other parts of Europe.
Admission Free. All Welcome.
Thursday 8th February 2024 – 7:30pm
The East Midlands Oral History Archive – Colin Hyde
Colin will demonstrate the range of the East Midlands Oral History Archive and will show how ‘amateur’ historians can use oral history and sound archiving in their researches
The East Midlands Oral History Archive is a joint project to conserve and develop oral history resources in the East Midlands. It is supported by the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council.
During the afternoon Colin will be holding a drop-in session between 2pm and 4pm at Rutland County Museum where people will be able to come and ‘have a cuppa, a natter, and listen to stuff’.
Admission Free to both events. All welcome.
‘In Search of Daniel Lambert ’ by Phillipa Massey
Thursday 21st March 2024 – 7:30pm – Rutland County Museum.
Local historian Phillipa talks about Daniel Lambert (1770 -1809), historically the heaviest man in Britain, and where to find him.
The talk will be preceded briefly by the AGM of The Friends of Rutland County Museum & Oakham Castle.
Admission Free. All Welcome
Thursday 11th April 2024 – 7:30pm
Roman Riddles & Saxon Secrets – Dr Phil Harding.
Phil has been metal detecting for 30 years, working the fields alone and supporting archaeological investigations. He has recorded over 3500 finds on the Portable Antiquities Scheme. He is not to be confused with the other Phil Harding who appears on Time Team
This talk illustrates the insights that thorough recording can bring. Dogged detecting in a farmed Leicestershire valley has revealed changing ancient human activity. A lost Roman town has been located, and Anglo-Saxon finds including a high-status grave have shed light on the Dark Ages. Also, after so many years of searching, Phil finally found his gold Anglo-Saxon treasure!
All welcome. Admission Free
Thursday 9th November 2023 – 7:30pm.
In 2021 the largest skeleton of an ichthyosaur ever found in the UK was discovered at Rutland Water. Ichthyosaurs were prehistoric sea reptiles from the time of the dinosaurs which evolved a fish-like body shape, and were active predators in the seas of the Jurassic Period, between about 200 and 145 million years ago. This talk will give an account of the discovery and excavation of the skeleton, and discuss its significance.
Dr Mark Evans was one of the first people to see traces of the huge 10-metre Ichthyosaur at the Rutland Water nature reserve and was heavily involved in the excavation of the remains.
Mark, Geological Laboratories and Collections Manager, British Antarctic Survey, is a specialist in prehistoric marine reptiles. For over 20 years he was the curator of the fossil collections for Leicestershire and Rutland, and still lives locally to Rutland Water.
All Welcome, Admission Free.
Thursday 12th October 2023 – 7:30pm
Dr Carol Beardmore from the OU is a historian of nineteenth-century landed estates, rural communities and the New Poor Law. She has produced a number of related publications and is co-editor of Family and Community History and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Thursday 9thFebruary – 7:30pm
‘Discovering Your House’s History’ – Debbie Frearson
Debbie talks about how to find out more about the history of your house.
Admission Free. All welcome.
Thursday 9th March 2023 – 7:30pm
Former archivist at Thomas Cook, Paul Smith, talks about Thomas, his links to Rutland and the development of popular tourism.
Admission Free – All Welcome
Thursday 13th April 2023 – 7:30pm
Paul Dadford from the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project talks about the history of The Oakham Canal, what remains of it and future plans.
Admission Free – All welcome.
Thursday 12th May, 7.30pm
Tony Martin talks about the Rutland man who served Wellington.
The extraordinary life of an ordinary man. Francis Davis was a simple farm labourer from Morcott in Rutland. But his skill with a horse led him to join the newly-formed Rutland Fencibles, and later on, one of the most prestigious cavalry Regiments in the British Army. This is his story, from the cradle to the grave.
Admission Free. All Welcome
This talk will be preceded by the AGM of the Rutland Local History and Record Society.
Friends of Rutland County Museum & Oakham Castle 