Talks at the Old School for 2025
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
2025 EVENTS
May 6th
Canine Partners – dogs trained for domestic tasks 7.30 p.m.
Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. These amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks. These life-changing dogs also provide psychological and social benefits including increased independence, confidence, social interaction and self-esteem.
Canine partner assistance dogs are carefully matched to the applicants’ needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and fetching help in an emergency. They can even help people to get undressed and remove a card from an ATM!
Our canine partners undertake a specialist two-year training programme. Come and learn how they are trained.
June 3rd
Shelley Family Nikki Caxton 7.30 p.m.
While the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley , who was born in Warnham in 1792, may be best known, hear about the history of the Shelley family and their connection to Horsham & the local area.
The first Shelley in the county was John Shelley in 15th century. The Shelleys lived at Michelgrove near Clapham, some 6 miles south of Storrington. They were Catholics so persecuted under Elizabeth I but back in favour under James I. Edward Shelley settled in Warminghurst; Bysshe Shelley built Castle Goring, near Worthing and Timothy Shelley was Horsham’s MP in 1790. So there are lots of local connections with the family.
Percy Shelley had a turbulent life, which ended in a boating accident before he was 30. His second wife wrote Frankenstein.
Nikki Caxton is the Curator at Horsham Museum, which has a number of Shelley family artifacts. Nikki was previously at the V&A in London where she worked as an Exhibitions Manager and Registrar and prior to that with the National Trust at Nymans and Chartwell.
July 1st
War of the Roses Steve Bird 7.30 p.m.
We have all heard of the War of the Roses and that they ended with the Henry VII and the Tudors coming to rule the England and Wales; but what caused them and what happened during them? This talk will explain all.
It was a series of civil wars fought over control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The wars were fought between supporters of the House of Lancaster and House of York, two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet.
Steve Bird started as an army officer, Steve worked in Industrial Relations with Ford throughout the 70’s and 80s. Subsequent to Ford, Steve worked for a number of companies including Glaxo, Natwest and Trinity Mirror (where he fired Piers Morgan).
Steve ended his career with Maersk where, 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 on which he gives a number of talks.
August 5th
A Gun at my Head by Tony Gledhill 7.30 p.m.
September 2nd
Brummell Family Bill McNaught 7.30 p.m.
October 3rd
Shetland Bus Gilly Halcrow 2.30 p.m.
November 7th
Sussex Inn Signs and their History by Dr Janet Pennington 2.30 p.m.
December 5th
Three Women, One man – glamour, wealth & heartbreak
Melanie Gibson- Barton 2.30 p.m.
2025 EVENTS
Museum Events at the Storrington and Sullington Parish Offices, Thakeham Road, RH20 3PP
Storrington Then and Now
Book Launch and Exhibition
31st May 2025
Storrington Museum is producing a book to be entitled ‘Storrington Then & Now’ – a photographic record of parts of Storrington. The late Florence Greenfield (1900-2002) wrote a couple of books on Storrington – one was ‘More about Old Storrington’ and was published in April 1977. It contains a number of photos of Storrington with the earliest being 1860s and others very early 20th century. Members of the Storrington Camera Club have taken photographs as far as possible from the same spot (traffic is far heavier than in 1906!) to show how Storrington looks today.
The aim is to put today’s equivalent next to the original, which the Museum has, and some updated words on how the village has changed. Members of the Museum who have lived here a long time have written an updated information panel.
An Exhibition of the photos is to be held on May 31st at the Old School, School Lane, Storrington, RH20 4LL from 10.00 to 16.00. Entrance is free and there will be refreshments available.
Friday 4th July—Taylor Maid Concert
Book your place by calling 01903 740188 or emailing storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com
£15 pp cash bar available.
The Chairman’s Challenge – 23rd August
The Museum’s Chairman will embark (with support with fellow walkers, he hopes) on a visit of 12 churches in our district and
provide historical details on each.
If you would like to follow the walks progress, please contact the museum office on 01903 740188, or email
storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com
All you need is a smart phone with access to WhatsApp or email to receive updates.
If you would like to donate to the challenge please go to our
Just Giving Page:
https://www.justgiving.com/storringtonmuseum
October 25th Quiz Night
Book your place by calling 01903 746569 £10 pp tables of 6. Light supper provided and cash bar.
Museum Event at the The Old School, School Lane, (opposite St Mary’s Church), Storrington RH20 4LL
November 23rd & 24th Art Exhibition