Wells

Local History

Update Nov 2022

With around 130 members (almost all of whom use email, thankfully!), the Local Historians are the largest group within Wells U3A. We meet monthly in the large conference room in the Museum and although our live sessions are very well supported, we aren’t yet back to pre-covid attendance. And given the size of the membership, it’s perhaps just as well that not everyone comes to everything!
The group is run by four members and we choose to interpret “local” and “history” fairly broadly. So far this year, we have had visiting speakers talking to us about the Somerset coal mining industry, the story of Weston super Mare, and the life of the great medieval bishop, Thomas Beckynton. We have learned about the Dulverton hydro over the last 110 years and the key environmental and economic impact of water management. We have watched extracts from Mummers’ plays while gaining some insight into the shadowy and strange history of these ancient performances. And we are looking forward to sessions on the Cathedral chained library, on local bell-ringing, on the Bristol Channel military defences and on Shepton Mallet prison! Nothing if not varied…
We also try to get out on “field trips” occasionally. We recently had a private visit to Radstock Museum, building on the earlier talk about a life spent working on the Somerset coal fields. Another fascinating morning was spent on a walking tour of historic Shepton Mallet, and we are planning a full day on the West Somerset Railway next summer.