Talks at the Old School for 2026
We provide a programme of monthly talks at the Old School.
(Please note all talks will be held at the Old School, School Lane, Storrington. Starting promptly at 7.30 pm unless otherwise indicated. No pre booking required, pay at the door, everyone welcome.
Entrance £6 for members, £8 for Non Members
Teas and coffees will be available after each event.
If you would like to sponsor any of our events or talks please contact the museum on 01903 740188 or storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com
Talks
We are pleased to announce our Talks for 2026
April 7th (Tuesday at 19:30) Zulu (Wars) by Steve Bird
We are pleased to welcome Steve Bird back to talk to us about the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift, between a detachment of the British Army and the Zulu Nation, for an accurate account, as to how and why this conflict took place and to be able to contrast it against the 1964 film – Zulu. The Zulu War wasn’t just as portrayed in the 1964 film. Steve will explain in more detail, those variations of fact. He will explain the personalities of British and Zulu leaders, at that time and how these characterisations were changed within the film.
Steve started as an Army Officer, worked in Industrial Relations with Ford throughout the 70’s and 80’s. Afterwards, he worked for a number of companies including Glaxo, NatWest and Trinity Mirror, ending his career with Maersk, based in The Hague. He was responsible for HR in 60 Ports around the world. Today, Steve pursues his first love, which is the research and study of military history.
May 5th (Tuesday at 19:30) White Stork Project by Laura Vaughan-Hirsch
Thanks to the remarkable achievements of the Knepp Wildland Foundation’s ‘White Stork Project’, Storrington has become the UK’s representative as it’s ‘European Stork Village’; together with Knepp the only area in the UK to be represented within the now 16 country strong European Stork Community.
Storrington has long had an association with storks; its old English name of Storca-tun or Estorchetone meaning ‘Stork’s Town’ or ‘Homestead of the Storks’.
With the area also being ideally situated close to the wetlands of Amberley Wildbrooks and Pulborough Brooks, storks have all they need to feed, nest and rear their young.
Since their reintroduction to the renowned rewilding site at Knepp in 2016, by 2024 forty birds were nesting at Knepp and enjoying migratory journeys through Europe and as far as Africa and back, with stopping points en route.
Laura Vaughan-Hirsch is the Project Manager of the White Stork Project at the Knepp Estate which also includes her involving people, young and old, with wildlife and nature recovery.
June 2nd (Tuesday at 19:30) The English Civil War came to Sussex by Chris Hare
July 7th (Tuesday at 19:30) The Crop Circle Mystery by Andy Thomas
August 4th (Tuesday at 19:30) “That Can’t Be Natural” by Bill Avenell
September 1st (Tuesday at 19:30) Amberley Museum by One of the curators
October 2nd (Friday at 14:30) The Franklin Expedition Mystery by Michael Smith
November 6th (Friday at 14:30) London Curiosities and Oddities by Sally Botwright
December 4th (Friday at 14:30) Religious Curiosities of Horsham by Richard Shenton
2026 EVENTS
Saturday 28th March—Quiz Night – Book your place by calling 01903 746569 £10 pp tables of 6. Light supper provided and cash bar.
***Change of venue for the Quiz Night***
Now at the Old School, School, Storrington RH20 4LL
Sunday 12th April —A Walk Through Storrington’s History – Meet at the Library Car Park for a 13:30 start, finish at 15:00. £5 pp.
June – Feeling Lucky in Concert (TBC)
Saturday 24th October—Quiz Night – Book your place by calling 01903 746569 £10 pp tables of 6. Light supper provided and cash bar.
Weekend 21st —22ndNovember – Art Exhibition