Activities

Talks

The Topsham Society arranges various talks each winter, this year in November, January, February and March.  These are often given by local speakers and range across a variety of topics.  Recent talks have been “Merchants` Houses in Topsham”, “Who owns Topsham? Who owns Devon, Who owns the World”, “Joseph Conrad – exile, seafarer, writer”, “Barbary Pirates of the 17th Century”, “Fred Karno – Master of Mirth and Tears”.

The talks take place in the Matthews Hall at 7.30 pm.  Doors open at 7.00 when wine, tea, and coffee are available before the presentation, and also during the interval.  Entrance is free to members of the Topsham Society. Non-members are very welcome for a fee of £2.00.  There is also an annual Topsham Lecture in October, arranged jointly with the Topsham Museum Society.  The Topsham Lecture was renamed The Oboussier Lecture in 2008, in honour of the great contribution to both societies by Caroline and Philippe Oboussier.

Programme of Talks to Spring 2012
Matthews Hall

Thursday 13th October 2011 for 7.30 for 8.00 pm
DHOWS, JUNKS AND OTHER BOATS
By David Goddard (previously Director of the Exeter Maritime Museum)

Thursday 19th January 2012 for 7.30 for 8.00 pm
RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF EXETER CATHEDRAL 1969 -1984
By Peter Dare (Master Mason at Exeter Cathedral)

Thursday 16th February 2012 for 7.30 for 8.00 pm
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ADVERTISING
By Roger Brien (Chief Library Officer, Exeter University)

Thursday 15th March 2012 for 7.30 for 8.00 pm
EXMINSTER'S WARTIME SECRET
By Michael Passmore

Walks
Informative walking tours of the town are run by Topsham Society guides every Wednesday and Saturday from May to September. These free tours start from Holman Way Car Park at 2pm, with no booking necessary.
Call 01392 873457 for group bookings.

Planning Group
The Society committee includes a Planning Group, including local residents and co-opted experts including architects and environmental consultants, who regularly scrutinise the Exeter City Council planning applications for matters of concern to Topsham, and respond accordingly. This group also arranges for copies of relevent planning applications to be posted in Topsham Library.