Area: Dorset

The Wessex Area of The Arts Society has 22 societies in the area from the coast of Dorset, covering part of Somerset, Bath, all of Wiltshire, and beyond the M4. Each society is autonomous, but all broadly follow the same theme of holding an hour long lecture once a month, usually 10 times a year, given by an accredited Arts Society lecturer. These lectures cover all manner of subjects from fine art, to porcelain, jewellery, furniture, music and all related arts subjects.'

Winter monthly evening meetings, usually first Thursday at 7.30 pm.

Winter lecture programme plus other events.

Festival usually held late June/early July.

Occasional talks.

'We meet at ... on alternate Wednesdays from 7.30 pm until 10.00 pm.'

'1st January - 30th March and 1st October - 30th December indoor meet­ings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month except where spe­cified at 7.30 pm.'

'A programme of events comprising some 100 or more lectures, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social events continues throughout each year ... Talks are given on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday afternoons.'

'This section covers a wide range of subjects throughout the year. Generally at least one field trip and one lecture per month and an occasional field trip is organised by the Chairman of Section ... We normally make one popular lecture each quarter open to the public totally free of charge. In this way we hope to attract new members. Members are encouraged to speak on a voluntary basis about subjects in which they are interested. In this way we keep our subscriptions as low as possible. However, we do pay for speakers who cover specific subjects in their profession. Thus a donation from non-members is appreciated.'

'The Astronomical Section provides a programme of lectures and occasionally a visit to an observatory or other site ... Lecturers are from outside, members of the Society or members of other astronomical societies.'

'During the winter months, we enjoy a varied programme of illustrated lectures, dealing with botany locally and abroad ... Both the beginner and the experienced botanist will find an annual programme with much interest, coupled with great opportunities for improving his or her botanical skills.'

'Lectures are given in the winter and spring by speakers who have a detailed knowledge or wide field experience of a particular group or groups of insects or other invertebrates.'

'Regular specialist lectures are given by speakers who are acknowledged authorities in their fields.'

'Lectures occur approximately 10 times a year ... There is no admission charge, but donations are warmly welcomed. Tea is served during or after Meetings in the Museum Room.'

Winter lecture programme, about once per month.

'Our main activities are our monthly meetings, which include lectures by nationally and internationally recognised experts, two highly regarded public Shows a year, and - thanks to the willingly shared expertise of several skillful and experienced growers amongst our members - very successful in-house plant clinics and "brains trusts".'

'Gain a unique insight into the knowledge and research that BU is renowned for, and see how we are helping to change the world for the better ... Our free lecture series is open to everyone.'

Offer a range of lectures, talks and related events, including Bridport Open Book: 'Bridport Open Book is our banner to promote and support reading, writing and literature'.

'We meet fortnightly from September to April ... Our meetings are structured around visiting speakers, competition nights, members nights, and joint meetings with other local clubs. We also organise education sessions covering some of the basics. Members are only too willing to pass on their skills ...'

Usually held early November.

Friends of Bridport Museum 'We hold an array of activities and events. There are usually three to four public events each year, an excursion to a stately home, museum or other places of interest, a Christmas Party and there is also the chance to work behind the scenes in the Museum.'

Bimonthly meetings, Saturday afternoons.

'Every first Tuesday of the month 7.30pm - 9pm.'

Formed in 2018: ‘Marnhull’s Café Sci is held on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 20.00 ... Marnhull is called Marlot in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. It lies in the Blackmore Vale, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Nearby towns include Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Blandford and Sherborne’.

'We are a friendly group of several dozen members who meet in Ringwood on the second Friday of the month ... to ... enjoy an illustrated talk on a French theme ... We love the French way of life, but our meetings are in English.'

Monthly meetings, Thursday evenings.

Talks about once every two months, mid-week evenings, starting at 8 pm.

'Every winter CHOG hold an excellent and varied programme of illustrated talks given by well-known local naturalists.'

'Meets ... each month from September to May. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, except the September meeting is on the second Tuesday.'

'Meetings are held on Friday evenings ... Talks will commence at 7.30 pm with tea and coffee available at 7.00 pm.'

'From September until July we meet (almost) every Monday night (Bank Holidays excepted) ... The start time is 7.30 pm but you are advised to get here by 7.15 pm to be sure of a seat and a chance to read the notice-board, have a chat and help with the setting up ...'

Festival usually held every two years in late May.

'At the last count the Dorset BKA had about 340 members scattered among 6 branches ...'

'Members are encouraged to bring guests to meetings. We hope that this will encourage new members to join the Society. A guest’s first visit to non-paying meetings is free, but after that a donation is expected for subsequent visits to cover meeting costs.'

Occasional talks, some organized by the local archaeology and geology societies. ALERT ‘Museum closed until Summer 2020.’

'Talks are held on the first Thursday of each month at 19.15. Talks start 19.30.'

'Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month (except August).'

'Every year there is a full programme of lectures and visits for members of the Dorset Gardens Trust. The lectures and visits take place within and outside Dorset and are aimed at those members who wish to widen their knowledge of the history of gardens and designed landscapes ... Non-members may attend lectures where places are available.'

The Newsletter can list occasional talks and lectures being held in and around Dorset.

'With our great line-up of talks, debates and discussions we offer a banquet for the curious mind, and aim, as always, to champion knowledge and understanding over superstition and myth.' Meet once or twice a month at various times.

Use the 'Events Finder' and filter by Type 'Talk'.

'Lectures by visiting speakers (and sometimes by our own members) are mainly on archaeology with occasional historical based talks. They are held from September to May.'

'Throughout the year the Trust organises Heritage Events such as walks, talks and visits.' Also there is an Annual Lecture in memory of the former Director of the Trust, Alan Wilson.

Meet '3rd Sat 9.45 am - 4 pm (except Aug and Dec)'.

Wide range of events.

'Meetings at 7.45 pm usually on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.'

'Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month beginning at 7.30 pm.'

'Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month ... The meetings begin at 7.30 pm.'

Monthly meetings, Saturday afternoons.

Venue for Monday evening lectures; joint meetings with the Bournemouth Natural Science Society on Saturday afternoons (venue nearby).

'The major towns Dorset and South Wiltshire covers are Weymouth and Dorchester to the West, Poole and Bournemouth in the South and East, Blandford Forum in the middle, and Salisbury to the North and East of the Region. Our South and West extremity includes Bridport, to the North and West Sherborne and Shaftesbury.' Enquire about attendance.

'The programme is combined with that of the Institution of Engineering Technology, offering a total of six lectures a year. Visitors are welcome to attend any of our events and we believe they enjoy the talks which are held on a wide range of subject matter and help to promulgate a general interest in engineering and applied science.'

Occasional talks.

Usually held in May.

Varied programme of talks and related events.

Usually held mid-October.

Meet on the first Wednesday of the month Oct – June at 19:00 hours. Note that 'we do not generally do family history research. We are a local history group, using members and volunteers, concerned with the history of Milton Abbas and the social history of similar rural Dorset parishes ... We have over 40 members and we are actively researching the social history of Milton Abbas in WW1 and the 18th century. We have volunteer transcribers from Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. They are transcribing original documents, these are catalogued and searchable, especially for names'.

'Winter lectures are held ... on a Saturday starting at 2.30 pm and finishing with tea and biscuits. The talks cover a wide range of heritage and contemporary topics, including National Trust subjects.'

'In winter the members of the Bournemouth and Poole Association meet twice monthly on Thursdays. Each month from October to March, there is an evening meeting, and an afternoon meeting for those members who do not wish to travel at night. All meetings are ... usually every second Thursday in the evening at 7.30 pm, and every fourth Thursday in the afternoon at 2.15 pm. These meetings include talks on a variety of subjects and enable members to socialize with like-minded people. The talks are often related to the local National Trust properties we support, or perhaps to visits planned for the next summer season.'

'Talks take place at West Moors Memorial Hall (W) on Mondays, 2.30 pm and at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown (F) on Wednesdays, 7.30 pm.'

'The Golden Cap Centre was founded in 1978 and has over 500 members. We support the work of the National Trust and offer activities such as talks; walks; coach visits; quizzes; lunches etc to make National Trust membership even more enjoyable.'

'There are talks by visiting speakers monthly from September to April. The venue generally alternates between Wareham and Swanage ... We do our best to alternate between the two towns, but it depends on the availability of both the venue and the speaker.'

Winter monthly talks.

Meetings usually Wednesday evenings, 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm start.

'We meet on the second Thursday in the month, September to April (inclusive).'

Monthly winter afternoon meetings.

'Meetings are held at 7.30 pm on the first and third Thursday of each month.'

Gatherings 'every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month (doors open at 7pm) ... Come and enjoy an inspiring talk with like-minded people'. Alert The Title of the Group originally included 'New Forest' but this has now been removed.

Monthly meetings, Tuesday evenings, 7.30 pm.

'Discover more about the history of Bournemouth and the Russell-Cotes through our talks and tours. Many are related to special exhibitions.'

Monthly meetings, Tuesday afternoons.

'During the winter season there are indoor meetings when we invite speakers from outside to talk on a wide range of subjects.' Usually Monday evenings at 7.30 pm.

Mission includes to 'play a key role within the local community, actively contributing to learning and education across all age groups, for example, through organised school visits, loans boxes and the provision of handling objects. In addition, the holding of lectures, meetings and entertainment events appropriate for a wider audience ...'.

Meetings 'starting at 7.30 pm ... Usual date 4th Wednesday in the month'.

'The Group meets every second Wednesday each month at different times and at alternate venues.'

Monthly meetings, Monday evenings.

Monthly meetings, Wednesday evenings.

Monthly meetings, Saturday afternoons.

Friends of Stanpit Marsh occasional talks.

'Meetings are normally held on the 2nd or 3rd Friday evening of the month in the well-appointed new Village Hall at Harman's Cross, just a step from our station. Our meetings are open to non-members of the SRT, so members are encouraged to bring their friends along.'

Occasional lectures, talks and related events, mostly in and around Dorchester and Dorset.

Have organized evening lectures.

'We meet on the first Thursday monthly ... between October and July at 11am for coffee prior to the start of the lecture at 11.30am.'

'Meets monthly for interesting and often amusing talks on a wide variety of arts subjects. The talks are given by lecturers with the finest credentials in their specialist fields. There are nine lectures each year (October to June) held at 2.15 pm on the second or third Friday of the month.' Usually a Waiting List for Membership.

Meets 'in the centre of the historic Dorset town of Wimborne on the third Monday afternoon of the month (except in August and September) ... Our current membership is in excess of 200 and as our hall is large we can accommodate new members. We are always pleased to welcome visitors to our lectures for a small fee ... We are an active and forward looking society having recently gained charitable status and invested in new technology to ensure our speakers have the finest equipment'.

Series of Monday evening lectures, September to March: 'Free of charge, but by ticket only, available from school Reception (normally two weeks prior to the lecture). Donations are welcomed at the end of each lecture. (The money raised goes to charitable causes.)'

'We meet at 7.30 pm ... from September to May, excluding December on the third Tuesday of the month.'

'Runs a full and active programme from September to May each year with something for everyone, no matter what your photographic interests are. We meet each Tuesday at 7.30 pm ... Visitors and new members are always welcome to come along and join in with whatever is going on.'

'Our Regular Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of the month ... Regular meetings start at 7.30 pm with Society Announcements followed by the Introduction of the main Speaker. An interval of about 20 minutes is scheduled for 9.00 pm for refreshments and informal chat. The balance of the meeting up to its close at 10.00 pm may include The Sky this Month, Object of the Month and short contributions by members.'

'Meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 19.30 ... All with a friendly group of like minded people ranging from beginners to experts. Come along as a guest, just turn up. Join if you like it.'

‘All meetings are currently held ... at 8pm on the first Tuesday in each month. The Society does not currently meet in January, August or September ... From our foundation we have endeavoured to promote the study of numismatics in its widest sense - not only coins from classical times to those of the present century, but also commemorative and campaign medals, trade tokens and paper money.’

Meet second Saturday afternoon of the month.

Monthly meetings, usually third Friday evening at 7.30 pm. 'Weymouth Astronomy Club is keen to attract new members regardless of experience. The only pre-requisite required is a keen interest in the night sky.'

'Regular meetings are arranged to hear talks and discuss topics of interest. All are welcome.'

'Our normal programme season operates between September to April, when we meet at 7.30 pm every Monday ... If you are interested in visiting us, maybe with a view to joining, please come along to any of our programme evenings. You will be made most welcome.'

The Society 'host a variety of talks on topics related to the historical and contemporary development of Wimborne and its environs'.

Ethos is ‘to bring Wimborne an eclectic, informative programme of authors, poets, workshops and events during the day and most evenings’. Held Mid May.

Winter monthly 'branch meetings are held on Saturdays ... 2.15 for a 2.30 start'.