Previous Meeting: The report for April’s meeting ‘A Last Farewell‘, the first talk in a trilogy on Nelson by Nigel Linger, will be available shortly.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 26th May – Annual General Meeting followed by
The 1859 Royal Commission and the History of Fort Nelson – Lewis Sharp
How was Portsmouth defended at the height of Britain’s coastal fort-building era? Lewis takes us through the story of Fort Nelson and the wider network of fortifications, starting with the Royal Commission of 1859. With the help of graphics from the Palmerston Forts Society, he reveals how the system developed, how the fort was armed, and how it was intended to repel an enemy attack. The talk concludes with its remarkable restoration and new role as a museum, highlighting the key role played by the Palmerston Forts Society in preserving and bringing the site back to life.
Full details of the Spring 2026 Programme can be found here.
Latest Publication
Published in November 2024, A History of Wickham is a new edition of Bruce Tappenden’s 1996 publication updated with new information and the addition of a chapter covering Wickham’s history between 1996 and 2024. Wickham is a special place, with one of the largest surviving medieval village squares in the country, a traditional horse fair and buildings like Chesapeake Mill. Bruce’s history traces Wickham’s history from its very beginnings to todays’ rapidly growing village, putting it all in the context of national developments at the time. The new edition includes an improved index and local photos, maps and diagrams.
For details on how to obtain your copy at the price of £9 please visit the publications page.
