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X-WR-CALNAME:Wessex Week
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Wessex Week
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T203000
DTSTAMP:20260818T085135Z
CREATED:20260809T141123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T085135Z
UID:3704-1791658800-1791664200@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:Arthur - A New Life with Amy Jeffs
DESCRIPTION:In conversation with Amy Jeffs \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe are delighted to welcome Sunday Times bestselling author Dr Amy Jeffs\, in conversation\, to celebrate the release of her latest book ARTHUR: A New Life \n\n\n\n“The Arthur I know is all story. But if his legend and its history teach us anything true\, it is that the seam between myth and reality is full of moth-holes…” \n\n\n\n\nThis event is brought to you in collaboration with Barn Owl Books \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTicket £10. Free ticket with copy of book £30 \n\n\n\n\nTICKETS
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/arthur-a-new-life-with-amy-jeffs/
LOCATION:Malmesbury Town Hall\, Town Hall\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 9BZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/arthuranewlife.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261011T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261011T120000
DTSTAMP:20260819T184919Z
CREATED:20260809T154303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T184919Z
UID:3723-1791714600-1791720000@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:Guided Walk: 'Turmoil\, Strife\, and Change' - Malmesbury after Henry VIII closed the Abbey
DESCRIPTION:A guided walk with Campbell Ritchie \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin guide Campbell Ritchie on an entertaining walk across Malmesbury’s town centre that will provide an insight into Malmesbury’s unique history.
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/guided-walk-turmoil-strife-and-change/
LOCATION:Outside the Town Hall\, Cross Hayes\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 9BZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Guided Walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Henry_VIII_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261013T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261013T203000
DTSTAMP:20260812T121101Z
CREATED:20260809T163644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T121101Z
UID:3739-1791916200-1791923400@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:In the Footsteps of the Bards
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Olive Malcolm \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIllustration by Francesca Alden-Fenn \n\n\n\n\n\nMalmesbury poet Olive Malcolm explores the intersection between poetry\, storytelling\, myth and history\, reflecting on how each informs and complements the others. Taking examples from her book\, ‘If Stones Could Speak\,’ she discusses the purpose of poetry and the way in which the subtle and intentioned use of language shapes our thinking and response to people\, places and events. \n\n\n\n‘If Stones Could Speak’ is a celebration of Malmesbury’s colourful history in poetry\, story and art\, inviting you to walk in the footsteps of the past\, acknowledging the lives of noblemen\, saints and sinners\, the hopes and fears of ordinary folk. The voices of the past are embedded in the ancient stones of Malmesbury and its historic abbey\, if we but pause and listen. Their stories are unique\, and yet they enshrine universal truths and the collective consciousness of what it means to be human in both triumph and failure. \n\n\n\n\n\nThe event will include an exhibition of work depicting Malmesbury and its 12th century abbey by local artist Francesca Alden-Fenn\, much of which is featured in her illustrations for ‘If Stones Could Speak\,’ as well as choral music composed for Malmesbury Abbey Choir by organist John Hughes\, inspired by some of Olive Malcolm’s poetry
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/in-the-footsteps-of-the-bards/
LOCATION:Malmesbury Town Hall\, Town Hall\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 9BZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Aldhelm2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T210000
DTSTAMP:20260812T140306Z
CREATED:20260812T113844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T140306Z
UID:3756-1792000800-1792011600@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:The Final Years of Malmesbury Abbey (1485 – 1539) - Supper and Talk
DESCRIPTION:Supper at The Old Bell followed by a talk by Tony McAleavy \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter many centuries of occupation the Benedictine monks of Malmesbury  were evicted in December 1539. \n\n\n\n Tony tells the colourful story of the last few decades of monastic life and addresses the question: was the community in a state of terminal decline in the lead up to the Dissolution? He will set out to show that\, although some of the last monks were badly behaved and  ill-suited to a religious life\, many others were highly conscientious and dedicated to their monastic calling. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe talk at 7:30 will follow a 2 course supper at The Old Bell \n\n\n\nSupper will be served at 6:00pm but the bar will be open from 5:30pm \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlease select your ticket to match your menu choice.Tickets must be purchased before midnight on 11 October. \n\n\n\nTicketStarterMainASoupChickenBSoupGnocchiCParfaitChickenDParfaitGnocci
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/the-final-years-of-malmesbury-abbey-1485-1539-supper-and-talk/
LOCATION:Garden Room: Old Bell Hotel\, Abbey Row\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 0BW\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Malmesbury-abbey-exterior.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261014T210000
DTSTAMP:20260812T140157Z
CREATED:20260812T113903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T140157Z
UID:3752-1792006200-1792011600@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:The Final Years of Malmesbury Abbey (1485 – 1539) - Talk Only
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Tony McAleavy \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter many centuries of occupation the Benedictine monks of Malmesbury  were evicted in December 1539. \n\n\n\n Tony tells the colourful story of the last few decades of monastic life and addresses the question: was the community in a state of terminal decline in the lead up to the Dissolution? He will set out to show that\, although some of the last monks were badly behaved and  ill-suited to a religious life\, many others were highly conscientious and dedicated to their monastic calling.
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/the-final-years-of-malmesbury-abbey-1485-1539-talk-only/
LOCATION:Garden Room: Old Bell Hotel\, Abbey Row\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 0BW\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Malmesbury-abbey-exterior.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261016T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261016T203000
DTSTAMP:20260812T141421Z
CREATED:20260812T133948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T141421Z
UID:3776-1792177200-1792182600@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:Who was William of Malmesbury?
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Tony McAleavy \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBy far the most interesting and distinguished figure in the life of the Abbey after the Conquest was the historian\, William of Malmesbury. \n\n\n\nTony tells the story of his life: from his childhood as a boy-monk in Malmesbury to his glittering career as a prolific writer favoured by royalty. \n\n\n\nWilliam lived at an interesting time and witnessed both the building of Malmesbury Castle and the demolition of the Anglo-Saxon Abbey. Tony’s talk will explore the scale of William’s achievements\, his personality and the world in which he lived.
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/who-was-william-of-malmesbury/
LOCATION:Malmesbury Town Hall\, Town Hall\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 9BZ\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/William-of-malmesbury2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261017T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261017T203000
DTSTAMP:20260813T111319Z
CREATED:20260812T135958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T111319Z
UID:3786-1792263600-1792269000@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:First Kings
DESCRIPTION:Forget 1066 – England began centuries earlier \n\n\n\nA talk by Adrian Waddingham \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter decades of devastating raids\, Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850. In doing so\, they opened a century of conflict and reaching ambition. \n\n\n\nIn Norway\, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king\, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors extended that vision\, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after Athelstan’s decisive victory at Brunanburh in 937. \n\n\n\nMeanwhile\, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs\, with Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown by his younger brother Hakon. Upon fleeing to Britain\, Eric was allowed the York throne by King Edred\, which he retained until his violent death in 954. There would be no more kings in York. \n\n\n\nThis turbulent century saw kings rise and fall; it saw rivalry\, betrayal and open conflict. Out of the chaos of shifting allegiances and warfare\, England and Norway began to take shape as the countries we know today. \n\n\n\n\n\nFIRST KINGS\, R. A. J. Waddingham\, ISBN 9781837050550;RRP £22.99 Hardback\, Published 29 January 2026
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/first-kings/
LOCATION:Malmesbury Town Hall\, Town Hall\, Malmesbury\, Wiltshire\, SN16 9BZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/First-Kings.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261018T033000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261018T043000
DTSTAMP:20260826T175105Z
CREATED:20260818T143016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T175105Z
UID:3831-1792294200-1792297800@wessex-week.org
SUMMARY:Choral Evensong for Wessex Week at Malmesbury Abbey
DESCRIPTION:You are invited to join Malmesbury Abbey Choir for Evensong on Sunday 18th October at 3.30pm in the abbey. This special service marks the conclusion of Wessex Week 2026 and will celebrate the rich history of our ancient borough and its renowned abbey\, highlighting the shared links between the two. \n\n\n\nMalmesbury Abbey has been a beacon of continuity\, hope and inspiration for many centuries\, from the time when Aldhelm became the first Abbot to the present day. The service will include a short Plainchant Sequence in honour of Aldhelm ( Amavit eum Dominus)\, as well as music written and composed by abbey poet Olive Malcolm and organist John Hughes\, who celebrated 50 years in post last year.
URL:https://wessex-week.org/event/choral-evensong-for-wessex-week/
LOCATION:Malmesbury Abbey\, Gloucester Street\, MALMESBURY\, Wiltshire\, SN16 0AA\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wessex-week.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Choir-square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wessex-Week":MAILTO:events@wessex-week.org
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