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History talks at the Foundation

The Sir John Moore Foundation is pleased to announce the calendar of talks for 2025. We have some amazing speakers lined up. Please click the More button below for the full list

Upcoming Events:

6th April Pupils Past and Present 12pm-3pm FREE

A co-production with the Sir John Moore Primary School. Did anyone famous go to the school? And what secrets lie behind the graffiti in the hall?

6th April Professor Fred Steward. 3.30pm £12

An investigation into the pupils of Appleby Magna. How instrumental were they in the industrial Revolution?

11th April Lesley Smith 7pm £15

Meet Elizabeth I and be transported back to the time of Raleigh and Drake in this glittering performance.

4th May Women, War and Heroes 12pm-3pm FREE

Stories of soldiers and forgotten heroes, women who were awarded wartime medals and those who kept the home fires burning.

4th May Andrea Zuvich 3.30pm £12

A look at Barbara Villiers, the enchanting mistress of Charles II

9th May David Moylan 7pm £15

A fun and lively performance, celebrating the lives of the great comedians of days gone by.

1st June Family Histories 12pm-3pm FREE

We follow the stories of Appleby Magna families through history, exploring key national and local events as they saw them.

1st June Mick Rawle 3.30pm £12

The suffragettes as experienced by Mick's own family.

13th June Danny Wells 7pm £15

Get ready for the summer with this light hearted investigation into the beginnings of the package holiday and the life of Thomas Cook

6th July House Histories 12pm-3pm FREE

Ever wondered about the lives of those who lived in your house before you? We explore some of the key buildings in Appleby Magna.

6th July Llynda Baugh 3.30pm £12

Llynda shares the secrets of superstitious congregations from the past.

11th July Moorestock 7pm £15

Get on your glad rags and groovy on down to the Foundation for an evening of live bands! Playing all the funkiest tunes from the 1960s, you'll be sure to dig the beat tonight.

3rd August Heritage Sports Day 12pm-3pm FREE

Join in the fun!

3rd August Danielle Burton 3.30pm £12

A fun talk about pirates, highwaymen and thieves.

8th August Andrea Zuvich 7pm £15

A fun and compelling royal investigation into the badly behaved lives of the scandalous Stewarts.

7th September The Appleby Magna Community Project 12pm-3pm FREE

A big thank you to everyone who took part! Join us for a celebration of this amazing project with awards, tall tales and possibly some cake! If you contributed to our exhibitions, please come along.

7th September Sally Lowe 3.30pm

The story of Appleby Magna as told to Sally by the people who live there.

12th September Birmingham Royal Conservatoire 7pm £15

A celebration of strings, performed by leading musicians.

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News Summary List

Craft Day at the Museum

Come and join us!

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Local History Cafe

Local History Cafe March 26

For more information please email museum@sirjohnmoore.org.uk

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Unlocking the Collections Project

The Unlocking the Collections Project aims to tell the unique story of the site, which first opened as a school in 1697.

As part of this:

The historic classroom would be redesigned to reflect how it may have looked in 1697, including the installation of purpose-built benches to recreate the learning environment of the period.
The Trustees’ Room would be reinstated in place of the current Headmaster’s Office, restoring an important aspect of the building’s historic function.
In the exhibition room, the existing large glass cabinets would be replaced with smaller display cases better suited to the nature of the collection. Much of the museum’s collection consists of paper-based items, including the Headmaster’s Log Books, which would benefit from more appropriate and accessible display.
Through these changes, the project seeks to unlock the collection and bring to life the unique story of this magnificent location, using improved interpretation and thoughtful redesign to create a more engaging and historically authentic museum experience.

For a more detailed look: Unlocking the Collections Project 2026

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Local History Cafe

Held every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Please come along and enjoy some company, local history discussions and refreshments. Local History Cafe Feb 26

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Join us for our regular local history café

Held every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Please come along and enjoy some company, local history discussions and refreshments.

local history cafe Jan26

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Walk around Appleby Magna

To help walk off any festive indulgences, why not take a stroll around our beautiful village using the Heritage Map created in 2019 by the History Café and volunteers at the Sir John Moore Foundation?

Full leaflet can be found here including some fascinating information about each location.

If you’d like to get involved with the heritage volunteers group, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Sally at sally.lowe@sirjohnmoore.org.uk

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Christmas Party with the Local Heritage Café

All welcome

Christmas Party 3

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Thank you for your support

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Wonderful evening

A wonderful evening of classical music from members of the Royal Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra to finish our summer of community events! IMG-20250913-WA0028

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Local History Café Newsletters

PDF format newsletters, click title to view.