Calne Heritage Centre

Calne Heritage Centre will be closed until further notice. We have taken this step to protect our volunteers, many of whom fall within the vulnerable category related to the coronavirus, due to age or medical conditions. However if you have a local history query with which we may be able to help, please contact us on email@calneheritage.co.uk or ring Sue Boddington on 01380 828851.

Calne Heritage Centre will be closed from the 23rd December 2019 to 3rd March 2020 inclusive and reopen at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 4 th March. During the closed period visits can be arranged by appointment and the Centre will still be available to hire for meetings. We will also continue to deal with local history queries by phone, letter or email. If you wish to make use of any of these services please ring Sue Boddington on 01380 828851 or email the Centre on email@calneheritage.co.uk

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.