The talk looks at the massive construction programme needed to build what was then the world's largest free standing reservoir and its supporting infrastructure, as well as the village that was partially destroyed to make way for it, and its Royal opening. Along the way we look at the surprising use to which it was put in the second world war. This talk will be given by Nick Pollard, Curator of Spelthorne Museum in Staines.

Ships like HMS Victory remained in active service for more than 50 years. Battleship development was so rapid post HMS Warrior most battleships were obsolete after only ten years and few had a service life of more than seventeen years. This talk will be given by Bob Bryson, Chairman SIHG.

Any member of SIHG or SyAS who would like to receive details about joining one or all of these meetings, and don't already get details sent to them, should send their name and e-mail address to:-  meetings@sihg.org.uk

This meeting has been CANCELLED

The talk covers the complete history from the initial ideas in 1827, installation in 1833, and then the evolving method of control. One method of control was due to an electronic system that I designed to take the time from the NPL controlled low frequency time service, MSF. This worked for a number of years until the Observatory was struck by lightning, with time now derived from GPS.  This talk will be given by Doug Bateman, Antiquarian Horological Society

The talk covers the history of motoring in general and UK vehicle registration in particular. Based on the book Car Number Classics, all aspects of registration are investigated up to the introduction of the present system in 2001. The talk will be given by Nicholas Young, author of Car Number Classics.

Any member of  SIHG or SyAS who would like to receive details about joining one or all of these meetings, and don't already get details sent to them, should send their name and e-mail address to:-      meetings@sihg.org.uk  

In 1805 the River Wandle was described as the hardest working river for its size in the world. With around 150 mills and a number of different industries this talk covers over 200 years of history. The talk will be given by Mick Taylor, volunteer/general manager Wandle Industrial Museum.

Any member of  SIHG or SyAS who would like to receive details about joining one or all of these meetings, and don't already get details sent to them, should send their name and e-mail address to:-      meetings@sihg.org.uk  

William Blake famously wrote about the 'dark satanic mills'of Victorian Britain, but was this really the case? In this talk we will explore what it was like to work in Victorian factories and the relationship between the workers and the factory owners. We will discover why trade unions were formed and what they achieved. Find out more as we go through the Victorian factory gates with Richard Mark, freelance professional historian.

A talk about the history of Superguns and Gerald Bull, the designer of the ultimate Supergun for Saddam Hussein and Iraq. I spent some time in the arms industry and  became unwittingly involved in the Supergun project. This eventually led to me giving evidence to the Government enquiry into 'Arms to Iraq', as well as several other enquiries including 'Arms to Iran'.

The talk examines why the Wey & Arun Canal was built and traces the route from Shalford to Pulborough and beyond.  Facts and figures about the infrastructure (locks, bridges and aqueducts) are given. The decline, fall and restoration; together with plans for the future are also discussed. The talk will be given by Simon Knapman of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust.

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) was founded in 1993 to safeguard Farnborough's aeronautical heritage. This talk reviews Farnborough aviation history, including the RAE buildings and airfield from 1910. The talk will be give by Graham Rood, Curator FAST.