The Friends of Blake Museum are inviting local history enthusiasts to a fascinating evening exploring Somerset’s pioneering role in radio communications.
On Tuesday 8 September, radio historian Larry Bennett will present “The Bridgwater Wireless Station and Others in Somerset”, an engaging talk examining the development, operation and eventual decline of the Bridgwater Wireless Station and other important wireless sites across the county.
Larry Bennett brings a wealth of first-hand experience and knowledge to the subject. A former radio officer at the Highbridge Radio Station, also known as Portishead Radio, he later became manager of the Admiralty List of Radio Signals at the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton. Radio communications have been at the heart of his entire working life.
Since retiring in 2019, Larry has written numerous books and booklets on radio and local history. He has also campaigned for many years to secure official recognition of the historical importance of Highbridge Radio Station and remains actively involved in promoting Somerset’s rich heritage.
During the talk, visitors will learn about the little-known story of the Bridgwater Wireless Station, whose operational life lasted just 14 years but whose place in radio history remains significant. Larry will also reveal the story of the Chedzoy Experimental Radiotelephone Station, including its remarkable seven-mile-long aerial system, the history of which remained shrouded in secrecy for many years.
The presentation will also cover the established receiving stations at Somerton and Highbridge, as well as the major transmitting site at Portishead, highlighting Somerset’s pioneering contribution to long-distance wireless communications.
This engaging talk offers a rare opportunity to uncover an important chapter of local and national history, bringing to life the people, places and technology that helped shape modern communications.
Doors open at 7.00pm, with the talk beginning at 7.30pm. The event takes place at Blake Museum, 5 Blake Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3NB.
No booking is required, guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat.
Entry is free for Friends of Blake Museum members, and £3 for non-members, making it an accessible and engaging evening for anyone interested in local history
Blake Museum is a 16th-century house located in the heart of Bridgwater, a historic market town and port, first mentioned as Brugie in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The Museum was first opened to the public in 1926, and it is said that Robert Blake, the town’s most famous citizen, was born in the house in 1598.
Blake Museum is the local museum for archaeology and history of Bridgwater. With collections covering Bridgwater and the surrounding areas, fascinating displays are waiting for you to discover.
For more information about Bridgwater Blake Museum, visit https.//www.bridgwatermuseum.org.uk