Swanage Pier presents a series of talks about the maritime and coastal history around the Purbeck Coast. Pier Volunteer, diver and amateur maritime archaeologist Nick Reed will explore different aspects of the varied facets of Purbeck’s fascinating maritime history.
Talks will be done via an online platform and will last around 30-35 minutes with question time afterwards.
No charge but suggested donation of £5.00
Tuesday 7th July at 7.00pm - A Link to the Past - Nick will talk about how Swanage Pier came about, it’s history and how it has evolved into a tourist asset.
BOOK NOW
Tuesday 14th July at 11.00am - “We will fight them on the beaches” - The Dorset C
oast would have been one of the key targets if the Germans had invaded Britain during Exercise Sealion. Remains of the WW2 coastal defences still exist all along the coast and form an important historical legacy. Focusing largely on Swanage and the surrounding area, Nick will talk about how the defences were organised and what can be seen today.
BOOK NOW
Tuesday 21st July at 7.00pm - Studland’s D-Day - In 1944 Studland Bay was the scene of Exercise Smash, the largest live fire exercise prior to D-Day. Nick will talk about the Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club’s award winning project exploring and recording the top secret amphibious Valentine tanks that were lost in the exercise.
BOOK NOW
Tuesday 28th July at 11.00am - A maritime graveyard - A map of the Dorset coastline reveals a huge number of shipwrecks. Nick will explore the history and story of some of the wrecks in our local area.
BOOK NOW