Local History Bonanza Day
10am to 4pm
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Free. No need to book
Come and meet your local area history groups, learn more about the work they do and find out how you and your community can get involved. This special event which kickstarts the 2022 Plymouth History Festival features information stands, quizzes, trails, information about how to research your family tree, fun activities for children. Listen to a fascinating series of free talks that explore the heritage of our Ocean City. See a display of photos and memorabilia that highlight Plymouth’s role on the Falklands conflict 40 years ago.
Talks schedule
Foulston Room (first floor)
- 11.30am: Environment Plymouth Heritage Conversation – Jackie Young, facilitator of the Environment Plymouth Network, looks at the impact of potential sea level rises and flooding on graveyards and burial sites. This session includes some interesting background on missing cholera pits, the former harbour at Devonport High School for Boys and Victoria Park, the work done to limit damage in the city centre and the reason why some archaeological digs now require full protective clothing.
- 1pm: Polish naval memories from WW2 – Martin Hazell reflects on how Plymouth was the Polish naval Southern command HQ throughout the war.
- 3pm: Water, Water Everywhere – A collection of fascinating footage from the archives compiled and curated by The Box Media Archive Team.
Simmons Learning Room (ground floor)
- 10.30am: HMS Plymouth and the Falklands Campaign – Commander David Sayer RN talks about his experiences as Squadron Warfare Officer on HMS Plymouth 40 years ago. The ship was central in the Argentinian surrender in South Georgia, and then went on to acquit herself with great valour in Bomb Alley (Falklands Sound). Commander Sayer went on later to be Captain of HMS Glasgow
- 1.30pm: Reconnaissance is never wasted – Ewen Southby Tailyour discusses choosing a landing site in the Falklands (May 1982) and subsequent landing craft operations.
- 2.30pm: Completing the task in the Falklands – Nick Vaux and Chrys Ward describe the final operations leading to completion of the Falklands campaign.
Spring 2022 Exhibitions and Galleries
10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday and Bank Holidays
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Free. Donations welcome. No need to book
Local and maritime history, natural history, film, photography and archives….. Craft, sculpture, contemporary art inspired by historic objects, social history, fine art, fashion and textiles….. There’s plenty to see and enjoy in The Box’s permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions this May.
Find out more here.
Artists in Residence Exhibition
12.30pm-3.30pm
Ford Park Cemetery Visitor Centre, Ford Park Road, Plymouth PL4 6NT
Free. Donations welcome. No need to book
An exhibition celebrating the lives and paintings of some of our local artists including Beryl Cook, William Gibbons and John Oxley Nash.
Plymouth History Festival 