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Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society
The history of Wells & Mendip Museum is intertwined with that of the Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society. The society was formed in 1888, and Herbert Balch, the founder of the museum, was one of its original members.
The society has a programme of winter lectures and a series of summer walks and excursions to places of interest in the region. The current programme is posted below.
As well as free access to the society's talks, members may use the museum and its facilities without charge. To join WNHAS, please download and complete the application form, and return it to the secretary at a meeting, drop it off at the front desk, or post as indicated on the form.
President: Allen Cotton, O.B.E.
Chair: Mark Hutchinson
Secretary: Ms Jane Burman
Programme
Indoor meetings are held in The Lecture Hall at Wells & Mendip Museum
Non-members of the Society are very welcome (£4.00)
The indoor programme for Autumn 2024 onwards is published below, and the Summer 2025 visits programme will follow when available.
Managing the new Mendip ‘Super’ National Nature Reserve
Jim Hardcastle, Manager, Mendip Hills National Landscape Team
4 Oct 2024
at
6:00 pm
Jim Hardcastle has worked on the Mendip Hills for over 20 years and has been the manager of the National Landscape since 2016. The south facing slopes of the Mendip Hills were declared a 'super' National Nature Reserve in 2023 wrapping 31 sites together with 9 different landowners. Discover the quick wins and complexities of managing this situation.
The Mendips Geological Journey
Stephen Thompson
1 Nov 2024
at
7:00 pm
Stephen Thompson is a member of Wells U3A Geology group, with a life-long interest in Geology. The talk covers the sequence of formation of the Mendip hills, since its beginning 400 years ago.
Wells Inns, Ales and Ciders since 1360
Dr Richard Stone
6 Dec 2024
at
0:00 pm
Dr Richard Stone will fascinate you with a Talk and taste on Medieval Ale and Cider, followed by Dr Mark Hutchinson teasing you with a short quiz on old Wells Inns.
The Cheddar Brooch
Amal Khreisheh, Curator of Archaeology, South West Heritage Trust
7 Feb 2025
at
7:00 pm
Discovered in 2020, the Chedddar Brooch comes from a time when the survival of Saxon Wessex was in doubt and Somerset provided a refuge for King Alfred the Great at Athelney. It is one of the most important single objects ever found in the county. Amal Khreisheh will describe the Brooch and explain its historical context.
The Hanging Pyx Cover in Wells Cathedral (& Annual General Meeting)
John Munns, Associate Professor of History and Art History, Magdalene College, Cambridge
7 Mar 2025
at
7:00 pm
John Munns specialises in the material and religious culture of the Middle Ages. His talk will revisit a Victorian antiquarian dispute about the purpose of the 'curious lantern-shaped object ' now hanging beneath the north-west tower of Wells Cathedral and look at some of the evidence for it being the only surviving example of a 13th Century wooden pyx cover.
Red Gold of Africa: Benin, Brass, Bristol and Slavery
Tony Coverdale
4 Apr 2025
at
6:00 pm
Early modern West African society placed great value on brass, one manifestation being the Benin Bronzes (actually brass). Portugese merchants exploited this love, trading brass from the Low Countries for ivory, gold, and slaves. Bristol Merchant Venturers broke into this trade in the 18th Century. In response, industrialists opened mills in the Avon Valley to smelt copper, alloy brass and manufacture products for the Guinea market, at its peak operating thirteen mills. But with the abolition of slavery the market collapsed and the industry was decimated. Tony Coverdale of the Saltford Brass Mill Project will present on this fascinating topic.
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