John Rutter Turbulent Quaker

Turbulent Quaker of Shaftesbury Book Launch Tuesday 04 December

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The Shaftesbury & District Historical Society is delighted to be hosting at 5.30p.m. on Tuesday 04 December in Gold Hill Museum the formal launch of Sir John Stuttard’s new book on John Rutter (1796-1851) The Turbulent Quaker of Shaftesbury. As the author states: “Rutter was an extraordinary man, a polymath, who did so much for society and the town …. without doubt, one of Shaftesbury’s greatest citizens.”

Following an introductory talk by Sir John, there will be a reception and an opportunity to buy signed copies at a discounted price. The net proceeds from the sale of the book, published by Hobnob Press for The S&DHS, are being kindly donated by the author to the Society, a registered charity. This event is free to members while non-members may pay £6 at the door.

The lecture originally scheduled for 04 December entitled A Field of Stars – the history of pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela has been postponed to a later date.

Craft Workshop

Free Autumn Crafty Event Wednesday 24 October 2-4 p.m.

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Gold Hill Museum is hosting an Autumn Crafty Afternoon on Wednesday 24 October. Activities include apple pressing, making clay night-light holders, and creating autumn wreaths from natural materials. Pumpkins will be involved somewhere. Open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Entry is free; donations towards the cost of materials will be welcome.

John Penruddock of Compton Chamberlayne (2)

Small Earthquake in Wiltshire (1655) – Lecture Tuesday 06 November 2.30pm

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This earthquake was political rather than tectonic. In March 1655 Cavalier gentleman John Penruddock of Compton Chamberlayne led an armed uprising against the republican government of Oliver Cromwell. His followers, the only branch of the Sealed Knot to carry out their part of a planned nationwide rebellion, seized near-by Salisbury, proclaimed the exiled Charles II King at Blandford, and were routed in Devon. Professor Eric L Jones brings the story of this little-known footnote to the Civil Wars to the Tuesday 06 November meeting of The Shaftesbury & District Historical Society at 2.30p.m. in Gold Hill Museum. This illustrated talk is free to S&DHS members while non-members may pay £3 at the door.

Professor Jones’s 2017 book Small Earthquake in Wiltshire: seventeenth-century conflict and its resolution is available in Gold Hill Museum shop and published by The Hobnob Press.