All talks are held at Wells Museum. They start at 11:00 am, preceded by coffee from 10:15 to 10:45 am, at an inclusive cost of £3.00. Group members who provide coffee may attend talks without charge.

Announcements and members' questions begin punctually at 10:45. There are no talks in July and August.

Upcoming Talks

13 May 2026

Caroline MacPherson.  A Day in the Life of a Puppy Socialiser.

Caroline MacPherson is best known locally as a champion bridge player.  She was a maths teacher in secondary schools around Somerset.  She picked up bridge from her grandfather and became a serious competition player.

She has had dogs all her life, from labradors growing up, to rescue dogs and has found her new vocation in training assistance dogs from tiny puppies to young adults, ready to begin serious work.

Caroline will be bringing her current pupil, the charming Winston with her and she is hoping he’ll oblige and show us how he is learning to respond to a selection of cues which will be essential in his professional life.  She will also explain the sort of positions he will hold in the future, and how this early training is so important for his life working for Canine Partners who provide dogs for the physically disabled.  

10 June 2026.

Christopher Day, Sailing in the Land of the Vikings.

Chris discovered sailing during a two year attachment to Britannia Royal Naval College, a slightly random direction following a lifelong career in the Army.  

Following retirement, Chris and his wife Nicky bought a series of yachts, culminating in the purchase of Anando, a 36 foot, fibreglass sloop constructed by Rival Yachts, with the goal of sailing in northern waters.

Chris’ talk is a reflection on the Viking way of life, who they were, what they did and in particular, how they voyaged, set against his own experiences of sailing in the Celtic, North and Baltic Sea’s, between Somerset and the Arctic Circle.

Caroline - Talks Co-Ordinator