Our diary of events for April 2026 to March 2027

1st April 2026: The Funeral Custom of Maidens' Garlands

A picture of a maiden's garland from Minsterley church

Speaker: Rosie Morris

Image: (c) by Annette Randle

Maidens' garlands, also known as virgin’s crowns or "crants" (from German kranz), are 17th–19th century funeral mementos made of paper flowers, ribbons, and wooden frames, used to honour young unmarried women. Carried at the funeral and hung in churches, they symbolise purity and virtue.

Event Comments

A very interesting evening - Ursula

6th May 2026: Snowing Butterflies

The statue of Charles Darwin, seated, that can found outside outside Shrewsbury Public Library on Castle Street

Speaker: Shaun Higgins

Image: Statue of Charles Darwin (c) Philip Halling

This is a talk on the life of Charles Darwin by a speaker who enthralled us with his dramatised version of part of the life of Wilfred Owen.

Event Comments

Shaun's alternative talk 'Heroes of the skies' was just amazing, interesting and moving. You could have heard a pin drop - Cathy

3rd June 2026: Plane Talking

A view of Manchester airport's air traffic control tower in the distance, taken from a seat on a plane overlooking the wing.

Speaker: Jacquie White

Image: Manchester Airport Tower (c) Richard Cooke

Jacquie brings us anecdotes from a 40-year military and civil air traffic control career. Open to guests: husbands and partners welcome.

Event Comments

One of the most interesting and absorbing talks I've listened to in a long time - Sue
Thoroughly enjoyed the meeting, what an interesting talk delivered so articulately - Pauline

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