Friday Talk: The Trafalgar Way

On Monday 21st October 1805 the Royal Navy decisively defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar on the south west coast of Spain. This victory permanently removed the threat of invasion of England by the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. The first official dispatches with the momentous news of the victory, and the death in action of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, were carried to England on board H.M. Schooner Pickle by her captain, Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere. Lapenotiere landed at Falmouth on Monday 4th November 1805 and set out “express by post-chaise” for London, following what is now The Trafalgar Way. He changed horses 21 times, the 12th change being made at Blandford Forum in the middle of the day on 5th November at a cost of two pounds ten shillings and sixpence. (This text is taken from the plaque at the entrance to Greyhound Yard, which was erected by Blandford Forum Town Council on 25th August 2005 to inaugurate The Trafalgar Way and to honour the men of Blandford Forum and North Dorset who fought for their country at Trafalgar.)

For our last Friday Talk of 2023, we are delighted to welcome Kathy Brown from the The Trafalgar Way & The 1805 Club to tell the story of Lt. Lapenotiere’s 37 hour, 271 mile journey: a genuine “Ripping Yarn”!

Admission to the talk is £5 for museum members, £8 for non-members.

Drinks and light refreshments will be available from 7 pm, and the talk will start at 7:30.

This talk follows nicely on from the Mayor’s Charity Concert at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 5th November, when folk group The Salts are performing as part of their Trafalgar Way tour. Please Click here for more information.

We have a wide variety of talks about our history and heritage from a range of expert speakers lined up for Spring and Autumn 2023. These will take place on Fridays (usually, but not always, the last Friday of the month) at the Parish Centre in Blandford. Please see our Events Calendar for the dates and details of other talks.