We hold 4 lectures for members in the early spring and another 4 in the autumn. These are promulgated in our members' leaflets sent out twice each year and are held in Shrewsbury's historic Old Market Hall cinema at 11 am on a Wednesday morning, so you are able to meet up with other members and have a drink or a light snack in the cafe there beforehand or afterwards.

Our lectures are very interesting and are on topics ranging from local history and architecture to wildlife and are provided by well known presenters. They last about an hour including time for your questions.

These lectures are free for members and no booking is required but we do ask that a donation of at least £3 be made on entry to the cinema to cover our costs; you are most welcome to bring guests but please ensure that they also make a donation, we ask them to give a donation of £5.

Additionally, in the winter we present our annual Christmas Lecture, which is held at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, SY2 6AH. This lecture is for members only and tickets must be booked and paid for in advance (£5.00).

The 2026 Autumn Lecture programme can now be seen  below.

(Please note that the order in which these lectures will be presented has had to be changed  due to unforeseen circumstances)

 

Wednesday 4th November 2026

Phil Loveday - Who Cares about Badgers?  

A talk about the work of Shropshire Badger Group which covers everything from basic badger ecology, persecution, badgers and bovine TB, new threats to badgers posed by the Government's recent planning and Infrastructure Act, then finish off with rehabilitation back to the wild of orphaned badgers

 

Wednesday 11th November 2026

Peter Furniss  -  Shrewsbury Abbey

A summary of the original building and construction of the Abbey, the people involved in its early life and their reasons for involvement.  Subsequent construction alterations throughout its life to modern times and a more detailed look at interesting items within the building construction and windows.    

 

Wednesday 18th November 2026

Tim Malim   -  Oswestry Archaeology Group – Bog Bodies

 This talk will give an overview of the exceptional preservation of human remains found in bogs in northern Europe and will then focus into the UK and the local area. It will explore the circumstances and techniques of discovery, which have allowed fascinating details of how these people became placed within their watery burial places, and ask questions about what the meaning was behind these sacrifices.

 

Wednesday 25th November 2026

Sue Rees-Evans  -  Shropshire County recorder for Dragon and Damselflies

An introduction to dragon and damselflies and a talk through their fascinating life cycle using lots of local Shropshire species to illustrate this.

 

Booking for the above is not necessary - suggested donation for members £3 and Guests £5

 

Wednesday 9th December 2026

Christmas Lecture at The Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AH at 2.15 pm

for Members only £5.00 to include refreshments - book in advance

Nick Eyles  -  Wem and its fascinating history

The market town of Wem has a fascinating history - based from the time of the Great Fire, this talk shows how the town grew into the  heritage rich town it is today through architecture, people and industry