Dr Lorna Haycock 1929 – 2019
Lorna was well-known and respected for her knowledge of the history of the County and completed her doctorate on the history of Devizes in 2001. During her long service to the Society she opened up the treasures of the Library to hundreds of researchers. She left a legacy to the
Dr Pamela Gough (1924 – 2019)
Dr Pamela Marjorie Gough passed away on 17 December 2019, aged 95. Her Wiltshire research papers including her thesis, notes, maps and books on Wiltshire arrived in the museum in March 2020, the week before Covid-19 Lockdown. She left a generous legacy to the Society. In recognition of her interest
Alfred Cunnington’s Private Telephone System
This is the earliest commercial telephone in Britain, made by Alfred Cunnington in 1877 to connect his wine merchant business at the Old Town Hall with his home at Southgate House, Devizes. Cunnington had read about Alexander Graham Bell’s invention published in Scientific American in 1876 and using the diagrams
Shepherds’ hut with Stonehenge on the horizon
19th century oil on board, depicting Stonehenge, with shepherds in foreground. Artist unknown. While being cleaned, it was discovered that the image of Stonehenge is a later addition. The Conservator had to clean around it, or it would have disappeared. Although described as a shepherd’s hut, this is probably a well
Photograph of Melksham Train Station
Student volunteer Anna takes a look at Melksham railway station.... During the 19th Century Melksham, there was a significant influx of businesess and businessmen wishing to promote the town as a Spa town. One of these was Walter Long of Rood Ashton, the chair of the committee founded to
Great Chalfield Manor – Melksham
Student volunteer Anna explores the Great Chalfield Manor in Melksham. Photographs of the Manor are held within our Archive. Great Chalfield Manor and the connecting Church were built by Thomas Tropenell c.1465 as a new estate to show off wealth as a member of the landed gentry, making money as
Tinted lithograph of Melksham Town Hall and Cheese Market
Student volunteer Anna takes a look at Melksham's Cheese Market... DZSWS:1982.7616 Built in 1847, the Melksham Town Hall has been the municipal building in the Market Place, initially acting as the cheese market and now home to Melksham Town Council. It was built in the Italiante style, similar to Osborne
Richard Gamble – Lord Lansdowne saves the Assize Court
Richard Gamble Richard worked in local politics and for Wiltshire Council. He became involved with the Historic Buildings Trust, was a Trustee for Wiltshire Museum and worked on the Devizes Wharf Plan Development plan in 2017. Lord Lansdowne and Historic Buildings Trust save the Assize Court Yes, well I was
Peter Spencer – drunken husband and wife
Peter Spencer Peter Spencer joined the Wiltshire Police Force in September 1968 had 13 weeks basic training in Dorset then was posted to Devizes Police Station, which was attached to the Assize Court. Drunken husband and wife One occasion when I reported to night duty, and we always reported 15
Peter Madeley – when the roof fell down
Peter Madeley Peter was a senior surveyor for Wiltshire County Council from 1974 until he retired in 2010. His role involved major and minor repairs to Council owned property including many schools, police buildings and the Assize Court. Court ceiling falls down So, the caretaker would often call me in