Calne Heritage Centre

A display of the work of local people who create art for a hobby rather than a living. Where: Calne Heritage Centre. When: 6th to 24th November 2019. Opening hours: 10.00-4.00 Wed-Sat. 2.00-4.00 Sunday. Cost: Admission Free.

Libraries in Calne have a long history With The Calne Literary Institution having 400 volumes accessible to annual subscribers by 1852. With around 80 members paying a shilling per quarter. By 1870, the Literary Institution had begun discussions about raising money for a free library for Calne.   Canon Duncan was very active as the president of the literary institution and by 1871, the reading room and library was opened by Lord Fitzmaurice, M.P., free for use by the inhabitants of Calne, with 1200 volumes. During the opening Fitzmaurice said of the free library: “Although, in educational matters Calne had always held their equal position with neighbouring places, in this matter, it was infinitely ahead of them”. Calne's Carnegie Library Carnegie and Calne’s Free Library However, by the 1880s interest in the Literary Institution was fading, along with the funds. In 1903, George Gough, the Town Clerk had written to Andrew Carnegie’s private secretary as...

Calne Heritage Centre Summer Exhibition 2019 The Life and Times of Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Highlighting his Stay in Calne 1814-16 Where: Calne Heritage Centre When: 7th August to 29th September 2019 Times: Wed to Sat 10.00-4.00 and Sunday 2.00 -4.00 Price: Entry Free - Donations very welcome.

Many thanks to John Osbourne, who has brought in some more of his research for sharing. This time on Dr. Pownall, one time mayor of Calne, who was found not guilty of the murder of Louisa Cooke due to insanity became an inmate at Broadmoor until his death in 1882. Read the full account of this tragedy by downloading the PDF

Calne Heritage Week 2019 will take place between 16 - 22 September 2019. Calne Heritage Week 2019 programmes are available to collect at Calne Heritage Centre and at the Calne Town Council offices at Bank House. I've also made a PDF version available to download here: http://bit.ly/CalneHeritageWeek2019PDF (Please note that we have been informed that the Bowood voucher needs to be printed if downloaded)