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Talks
We aim to ensure that our talks are delivered by local people and/or that they are about local subjects.
Our confirmed talks for 2026 are listed below and we are already booking our speakers for 2027 which we are confident will continue to generate the same level of interest that people have become accustomed to.
The programme for 2027 will be sent to members in the autumn of 2026 and will be added here soon afterwards.
There is limited parking at the Memorial Hall, but there is a large public car park on the other side of the road behind the bus stop. If you have special access requirements, please get in touch via events@midhurstsociety.org.uk
2027 Programme of talks
19th February - Jess Brown-Fuller MP
The MP for Chichester who lives and grew up in Midhurst will talk to us about her first year as a Member of Parliament, in conversation with Stewart Collins.
19th March - Major Barry Lane MBE TD
The chairman of The Royal Sussex Regimental Association will talk to us about the Sussex Regiment in WWI.
16th April - Bill Avenell, What’s in a View?’
Retired geography teacher, Bill Avenelle, will tell us about some iconic views of West Sussex and explore their geographical origins and historical significance.
7th April - Annual General Meeting
Members are invited to our Annual General Meeting to find out more about what your Committee has been up to over the last year and our plans for the next year.
21st May -Nigel Goodenough, Bell ringing
Nigel is a leading bell ringer at Easebourne Church and will talk about bell ringing in Midhurst and Easebourne. He will discuss its history and the bells in our local churches.
18th June - Paul Ullson, Vikings and Normans
Paul returns to The Midhurst Society by popular demand. His always entertaining and informative talk this time will be about Vikings and Normans.
16th July - Tom Brown, West Dean Gardens
Tom is Head Gardener at West Dean. He will talk about the famous gardens and their history.
17th September - Janet Pennington, Magical House Protection
Janet last spoke to us via Zoom during the pandemic and is returning to talk to us, face-to-face this time, about ritual protection of the home in the past.
15th October - Liz Leggett, Bignor Roman Villa
Liz will talk about the history of this nationally important archaeological site and its connections to our local community.
19th November - Gemma Butterfield, Cowdray Ruins
Gemma is the General Manager of the Cowdray Heritage Trust and will talk about her work managing the Grade I listed Cowdray Ruins.
17th December - The Midhurst Community Choir will be providing our Christmas entertainment this year.
Talks are open to all, they are free to Midhurst Society members and £5 for visitors unless otherwise notified.
18th February - Carol Lintott, Midhurst Town Trust
Carol will be talking to us about the charitable organisation that exists to preserve and maintaining Midhurst’s historic assets.
18th March - Dr Stuart Needham, Exploring the later prehistory of the Rother Region.
A talk by the British Museum’s former Bronze Age curator, following on from the recent article in the Midhurst Journal.
15th April - Bill Avenell, Why is Church Lane so steep?’
Retired geography teacher, Bill Avenelle, back by popular demand, will offer another entertaining talk looking at the effect of physical geography on where and how we live.
6th April - Annual General Meeting
Members are invited to our Annual General Meeting to find out more about what your Committee has been up to over the last year and our plans for the next year.
29th May - Tania Pons, Selham Airfield
Local historian Tania will talk about the Royal Naval Air Station at Selham during World War II.
17th June - Alex Horne
Now a familiar face on our TV screens, comedian and musician Alex originated from Midhurst and will be interviewed by Stewart Collins.
15th July - Ian Everest, The Women’s Land Army
Sussex historian Ian will talk to us about the role the Women’s land Army played during the two World Wars.
16th September - Cittaviveka Monastery
Members of the Buddhust community at Chithurst will talk about the history of the monastery and its role in the local community.
21st October - Paul Ullson, A bit of everything West Sussex
The ever popular ‘History Man’ returns to entertain is with stories of the past in our area.
19th November - Cowdray Polo Club
A talk by a member of the Cowdray Park polo Club on the history of polo in Midhurst, the ‘home of British Polo’ where the game has been played since 1910.
16th December - Christmas entertainment
Dennis Harrison and friends from the our local amateur dramatic group, ‘The Midhurst Players’ will provide the Christmas entertainment with short sketches, poems and songs from Christmas past.
Talks are open to all, they are free to Midhurst Society members and £5 for visitors unless otherwise notified.