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
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
The English Civil War, of the 1640’s, played out in Sussex in a series of battles and skirmishes; including sieges of Chichester and Arundel. East Sussex was a bastion of support for Parliament and a stronghold for Puritanism.
Meanwhile, mainly parliamentarian West Sussex found itself increasingly threatened from the west by Royalist incursions and uprisings predominantly into Chichester. Arundel, for example, was also attacked and counter-attacked on 3 occasions in just one year. Every time these Royalists advanced to the east, they were rebuffed by the East Sussex militias. Ironically, two competing generals, Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir William Waller, were friends in their youth, only to be divided by Civil War.
Chris Hare, born in Worthing, has a BA(Hons) in ‘British Studies’ and an MA in ‘Life History’. He has held several posts in education and even one as a Climate Change Officer.
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
27th June—Music Night with Feelin Lucky, playing a selection from the 50’s to 90’s. Come along and enjoy the music from this popular local band.
Reserve Seats (£10 pp) by contacting the Museum: 01903 741088 Email storringtonmuseum@hotmail.com
Venue for the event—Storrington and Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, RH20 3PP
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