Join the Farnham Society for a series of free talks to celebrate this year's Heritage Open Days (Fri 11 - Sun 20 September).

Wed 16 September

10am: History of Native an Exotic Trees in Farnham by Peter Bridgeman

Peter Bridgeman takes us through the history of British trees, starting with the establishment of native trees after the end of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, going through to the present day, showing the introduction of exotic trees from most parts of the temperate world. Peter will explain what this picture has to do with Farnham trees in the 14th century.

11.30am: Victorian Wrecclesham and Rowledge - Work, God and Leisure by Roy Waight

The talk contrasts three very different 'everyday histories'. Those of an agricultural labourer in the years after parliamentary enclosure and the impact of mechanisation; a vicar, the Revd. Julius of Wrecclesham, who helped create the Parish of Rowledge; and a man of leisure, C E N Charrington, who built Frensham Hill (now Frensham Heights School).

Thu 17 September

10am: The Jewel Heist of Winchester: a Tudor Whodunnit by Alison Whittaker

The year is 1538 and Henry VIII's men go to Winchester Cathedral to remove all the treasure they can get their hands on. Instead of an enormous payday, they uncover hundreds of counterfeit gemstones. Join artist, Alison Whitaker, as she presents her original research uncovering the characters involved and the possible links that Farnham has with one of the biggest jewellery heists of Tudor England.

11.30am: The Architecture of Castle Street by Michael Blower MBE

Retired architect and artist Michael Blower will take his audience on a ‘virtual walk’ around the buildings lining the famous panorama of Castle Street, drawing attention to architectural details large and small. Castle Street was described by the author Alec Clifton Taylor as “for sheer visual delight this street has few equals in all England” and this talk by a professional justifies the claim.