Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference 2026: From Branch Lines to Tram Lines

The 2026 Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference will take place on 24th October at Devizes Town Hall, which is located on the first floor of the building. It is accessible via a wide staircase, or a platform lift. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor of the building. The programme is as follows:

9.30 am – Registration

10 am – Welcome by Mike Stone Chairman of the Industrial Archaeology Committee at Wiltshire Museum.

10.05 am – The Calne branch and its industries, by Mike Stone.  Mike was curator of Chippenham Museum and regularly lectures on a wide range of subjects.

10.50 am – Coffee

11.10 am –  History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History.  Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher.  He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.

12 noon –  The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian.  ‘Industry Past’.

12.50 pm – LUNCH BREAK.
Lunch is not provided, please bring your own, or there are numerous bars and cafes in the Market Place, just a short walk from the Town Hall.

2.15 pm –  A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.

3 pm – Tea

3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society.  Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.

4.30 pm – Conference ends

To book follow this link: Booking for events – Wiltshire Museum

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