David Corben, Chair of the Swanage Branch of the RNLI, will talk about his 53 years of service with the Swanage Lifeboat Station, the first 35 years as a crewman radio operator/navigator on three different classes of lifeboats, and then as the Duty Launching Authority (DLA) for 15 years which involved being the first contact for the Coastguard to decide which boats to launch, dealing with any casualties that may be brought ashore, and writing up reports. His talk is a personal story of commitment to the Swanage Lifeboat Station which will give a fascinating insight into the lives and dedication of over 5,600 crew at all 238 Lifeboat stations throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It will be illustrated with actual video footage of real rescues that he was involved in and that’s before we had mobile phones.

Andy Sturgess of Cann, near Shaftesbury, will talk about how he has painstakingly recreated the cockpit of the famous World War II Lancaster bomber at his Long Lane home over the last twenty years. He will explain how he methodically found the necessary parts to build the nose of the Lancaster, buying them online, or manufacturing them from blueprints. Once completed, Andy connected the fully operational replica to flight simulation software. In June 2023, timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid, he and his son Will re-enacted the flight to the Möhne Dam following the precise journey of David Maltby, one of the Dambusters’ pilots, as a tribute to all the men who perished in wartime aerial operations. This will be a fascinating talk and is ‘must’ for those interested in wartime aviation, restoration and flight simulation.

Hungrytown, the vocal and instrumental folk duo from the USA return to Semley after last playing in 2022, to delight the audience with their deceptively simple masterpieces. Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, through their years of worldwide touring and tireless devotion to many classic genres of music, have crafted Hungrytown into a true artistic hybrid, able to hold Celtic and Americana, ballads and sunshine and darkness, joy and despair--not only within the same album, but within the same song. It will be a great evening.

Join us for a facinating illustrated talk by Colonel (Ret’d) John Blashford-Snell in collaboration with the East Knolye, Sedgehill and Semley Branch of the Royal British Legion. Fifty years ago, one of the largest British expeditions to Africa carried out scientific and important research into the River Blindness disease, whilst navigating the 2700 mile Congo in 1974-75. Led by Colonel John Blashford-Snell, 160 soldiers and scientists from many nations used giant inflatable craft and jet boats to shoot the enormous cataracts, in the steps of the explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley. Supported by the late Prince Philip, the Natural History Museum and the Scientific Exploration Society, this epic venture led to the establishment of Operations Drake and Raleigh. Doors open at 6.30pm. ‘Light bites’ will be served and there will be a cash bar. Tickets will be available online from Monday August 26th 2024.

Becoming Branches an Americana-Folk group will be playing at Semley Village Hall on Saturday May 20th. They have a great reputation and it should be an excellent evening. Doors open at 7.30pm and there will be a licensed bar.

Based in the New Forest and London, Becoming Branches are a Folk-Americana band blending acoustic sounds and soaring harmonies in an enchanting mix of creative and heartfelt songs. As well as releasing the single ‘Right Words’, the group had a busy 2022 supporting touring acts and artists, breaking into the London music scene, and performing at renowned venues such as Cambridge Folk Festival and the Secret Garden Party.

Recent achievements include:

• Record of the Week 2020 – BBC Introducing Solent

• Best UK Emerging Artist 2021 – Live Country Sessions

• Single/EP/Mini Album of the Year – FATEA Annual Awards (shortlisted)

You can preview their music at:

• www.facebook.com/becomingbranches

• www.instagram.com/becomingbranches