Marlow Groups & Societies

The following groups provide the ideal place to get involved with activities that interest you - or why not try something different?! Most of them organise activities throughout the year, as publicised in our events calendar.

List your organisation! If you are involved in a group not mentioned here, just contact us and let us know!

On this page... Historical Archaeology in Marlow Marlow Archaeological Society Buckinghamshire Family History Society PerformingMarlow Choral Society Marlow Entertainers Marlow Players Marlow Town Band Hobbies and InterestsMarlow Camera Club Marlow & District Horticultural Society Marlow & District Railway Society Marlow U3A National Trust Group Community Marlow Round Table Marlow Society Transition Town Marlow Marlow Community Association Marly-le-Roi Town Twinning Budavár Town Twinning

Archaeology in Marlow

Archaeology in Marlow was formed in 2003 to discover and investigate the archaeology and pre-history of Marlow Town and its surrounding parishes.

AiM's objective is to involve as many people as possible in practical archaeology and research and also entertain them with talks about general and local subjects

Everyone is welcome to join and members enjoy research, fieldwork, training courses, talks and visits. Information about all of these activities can be found in our regular Newsletter.

AiM is now completing its most important project yet - known as ROMADAM and sponsored by the Local Heritage Initiative - we have been recording Marlow's four major archaeological treasures and have published a book of our findings

www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk

Marlow Archaeological Society

Marlow Archaeological Society (MAS) is a friendly, local group which holds regular talks and researches sites of local interest, particularly settlements and roads in the Thames Valley area in and around Marlow. 

Since 1999, MAS has been excavating a Neolithic/Bronze Age site one mile from Marlow Town centre, which is believed to be the earliest settlement of Marlow and from which the town’s name is derived. Another ongoing MAS project since 2000 is into the origins of Cookham, just across the Thames , where geophysics, excavations and research by members and friends are producing evidence of Cookham’s past from the Iron Age through Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. All fieldwork is carried out under IFA and official guidelines.

However, many MAS members are more involved through the Society’s social activities. There is a popular annual New Year lunch party, plus interesting monthly talks by visiting professionals and experts. Members visit places of archaeological interest, such as a recent guided trip to the Anglo-Saxon fortifications at Wallingford .  MAS also hosts larger events, including visits by TV archaeologists such as Mick Aston and Carenza Lewis of ‘Time Team’ and, most recently, lectures by BBC’s Julian Richards on Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge in 2007 and 2008, when Liston Hall was filled to capacity on each occasion.

MAS members receive two printed publications a year plus regular updates, giving information on all activities. Anyone interested in joining should ring Joy Blake on 01628 523896 or, for further information, visit the MAS website on www.marlow-archaeology.org/

Marlow Camera Club

If you’re interested in taking photographs, then you’ll enjoy our meetings. With about 50 members, varying from absolute beginners to experienced experts, we always welcome newcomers - can come along for two or three weeks to get a feel for the club before deciding to join

We have a varied programme of presentations, competitions and activities. There is always something to arouse your interest and enhance your own photographs. Many of the speakers are professional photographers who are prepared to share their trade secrets. In the workshops you learn how to improve your techniques and you can test your skills against other members and other clubs in the competitions.

We get together from 7.30 p.m. onwards, start promptly at 8.00 p.m. and finish around 10:00 p.m. with a break for refreshments during the evening.

We meet at The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, Bucks SL7 3HJ, except during our summer break between June and August - check our website for more details.

Marlow Choral Society

Marlow Choral Society is a mixed voice choir of over ninety strong. It is based in the centre of the town and members are drawn from the Marlow community and surrounding towns. 

Our concerts are varied and, as well as choral music, include orchestral pieces and instrumental soloists

We always provide a warm welcome to new singers with any voice range, with or without experience. If you are interested then please visit www.marlowchoralsociety.org.uk

Marlow Entertainers

We are a small but very friendly group who specialize in one of the most popular forms of amateur comedy - Pantomime. Recent productions have included old favourites; Jack & the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Aladdin. However since the Entertainers were formed over 40 years ago we have produced, every one of the traditional pantomimes as well as a few that are not.

Auditions are usually held in early September and productions are staged in early December. Newcomers are always welcome to our group for on stage or backstage, ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY and our members are from all age groups. Rehearsals usually take place on Friday and Sunday evenings, 7.30 - 9.30pm. Panto is always lots of fun and a great way to make new friends - why not give it a try! www.marlowentertainers.co.uk

Marlow Museum Centre Project

The Project has a goal to establish, operate and develop  in Marlow town, a museum serving the communities of Bisham, Greater Marlow, Little Marlow, Marlow Bottom, Marlow Town and Medmenham, promoting a wider and deeper appreciation of our local heritage, environment and culture. We have our first museum space just in front of the main entrance to Court Garden Leisure Centre (previously called The Peacock Room). We are now continuing to pursue the financing necessary to build on what has been achieved, and work towards a proper permanent location. For more information, to help out or to join as a member please visit www.marlowmuseum.org or email the Chairman, John Evans at evansjohn@talk21.com

Marlow Players

The Marlow Players is an established society over 60 years standing, being formed in 1937 to bring amateur theatre to the local community. Two productions per year are performed at the Shelley Theatre, in March and November. The aim of the Players is to provide theatre going public with a quality production both on and off stage. We rehearse and create and build our own sets in the Studio in Liston Road.

Marlow Round Table

Round Table is a world-wide organisation for men between 18 and 45, with backgrounds from all walks of life. Marlow Round Table has been going for over 40 years and is now made up of a lively group of individuals who get together fortnightly on the first and third Tuesday of each month. We have a variety of events ranging from karting and wall-climbing to business meetings and guest speakers.

We are very active in the local community, running May Fayre in Higginson Park each year and the bars at Marlow Regatta. Last year we donated around £13,000 to local and national charities. If you live in or around Marlow you may have noticed our logo on the side of the St John's Ambulance caravan that we recently funded.

We are based at the Two Brewers, St Peters St. meeting on the first and third and fifth Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. Please contact us or check our meetings programme if you would like to come along. www.marlowrt.co.uk

Marlow Society

The Marlow Society originates from the Marlow Bridge Preservation Committee, founded in 1960 to prevent the replacement of our beautiful 1832 suspension bridge. Having succeeded in that aim the Society has taken on a far wider role.

We now have nearly 500 Member households, mostly in Marlow and the surrounding villages, but also from as far afield as New Zealand! This, together with the expertise and experience of our Executive Committee, gives us considerable weight with the relevant local and county authorities when applications are made for new housing developments, roads, shops, parking, leisure facilities, shop frontages, flood relief schemes and all the other many changes which vitally affect our lovely town and the surrounding area. So, whether you are concerned about supermarkets, the Post Office, flooding, CCTV, public toilets, cycle paths, the South East Plan or anything else affecting us all, you can be sure that we are concerned too.

The careful watch which the Marlow Society keeps on our environment and history always includes Little Marlow, Marlow Bottom, Bisham and Medmenham as well as Marlow itself. Parish Councillors from these villages as well as from Marlow Town and Great Marlow attend our Executive Committee meetings regularly.

We have a social side too! Our Local History Group organises a fascinating schedule of talks at Liston Hall ranging from our Medieval beginnings to Victorian photographs. The Group also undertakes research and records and archives Marlow’s history. Our Walks Group runs guided walks around Marlow and the River and their expert guides can always produce facts you didn’t know about the area. We also host lectures by visiting experts on topics ranging from Red Kites to Marlow’s railway, Aviation at Booker to Marlow as a Pocket Borough. There’s certainly something for everyone – and a Summer Garden Party too!

For all our events look on the My Marlow calendar or visit www.marlowsociety.org.uk. You don’t have to be a Member of the Society to come along.

Do join us and have your say in protecting our area for future generations. Membership is only £7 a year for individuals or £10 per household. We always welcome views from our Members, who are kept regularly updated by our Newsletter which is delivered three or four times a year. You can contact us via our website, by writing to us at PO Box 3078, Marlow SL7 2WQ or by telephoning 01628 476140. Registered Charity No. 262803

Marlow Town Band

Each Monday Evening from 8pm – 10pm a diverse group of enthusiastic musicians of all ages (our youngest is thirteen years old) meet at The Band Hall to rehearse and play all types of different music ranging from the traditional marches, film & tv themes, classics & opera, stage & theatre, rock & pop. If you would like to learn to play a musical instrument or are a lapsed player, or you already play or you would just like to know more about us then please come along and visit us at a rehearsal at Trinity Court, Off Wethered Road, Marlow or email the Musical Director Ian Young at marlowtownband@btinternet.com. A warm friendly and enthusiastic welcome awaits you. www.marlowtownband.co.uk

Transition Town Marlow

...because Marlow's energy is in its community. www.transitionmarlow.org

TTM is the 200th community to join the Transition Movement. We are engaged in developing short, medium and long-term projects to help make Marlow a sustainable community in the face of climate change and peak oil. At the heart of the Transition movement is a drive to localise our services and produce, and TTM is very keen to promote local businesses, schools and other organisations in a way that they can survive outside shocks, such as the rising price of oil. We believe that our response to climate change and dwindling oil supplies should be to increase our sense of community, which should become as self-sufficient as possible, so Marlow can become resilient.

So far we have set up a solar panel-buying project, carbon cut-back workshops, organised a mass bike ride through Marlow, and are liaising with Wycombe District Council to provide better cycle routes in Marlow. We have developed a strong liaison with WDC, and are on their sustainability panel. We have held social events; and we have taken on an allotment for TTM members to grow their own veg.

We are liaising with local schools, one of which has embraced TTM and is using us to help them reach their Sustainable Schools status, which is a government requirement for all schools. We are in the process of expanding our core group to set up specific groups to address energy, transport and education, and hope in the near future to set up a food group, health group, and other groups depending on the expertise and interests of those people who wish to become involved.

Our aim is to involve all residents of Marlow. We are registering TTM as a Community Interest Company. We have several exciting projects in the pipeline, some of which are detailed on our website, www.transitionmarlow.org. We have a core group of 7 members, fledgling working groups, and an email network ( http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/search?query=ttmarlow ) , all of which you are warmly invited to join, depending on your personal interest.

Please contact if you would like to join TTM, or would like further details.

Marlow & District Horticultural Society

We meet every second Tuesday in the month at Liston Hall, Liston Rd, Marlow, Bucks. SL7 3NZ. We are a very friendly group of people who all enjoy gardening whether on an allotment or in window boxes.
Every month we have a talk by an expert on a variety of horticultural topics.There are 2 trips a year. In May we hold a plant sale in Liston Hall which is always very popular.
On August Bank Holiday Saturday we have a wonderful Flower show where members can enter flowers, fruit, vegetables,home made produce and wonderful handicrafts into the numerous classes. In December we have a Xmas party which is always very popular.
It costs only £3.00 to become a member,£1.00 entry for members and £2.00 for non-members. The entry cost includes refreshments and a raffle ticket.
Contact name and no for further details is Gina Capron, 01628 486206. 

Marlow & District Railway Society

Founded in 1977, we are a group of railway enthusiasts based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and with members from the surrounding districts, including High Wycombe, Bourne End, Henley, Maidenhead and Twyford. Our activities include regular monthly meetings at the Bourne End Community Centre and outings to places of railway interest (see the club gallery pages for some examples). We also publish our own illustrated magazine The Marlow Donkey. Meetings are open to non-members, but why not join us? http://www.mdrs.org.uk/

Marlow U3A

Monthly meetings at the Liston Hall, the fourth Thursday of the month commencing 2.30pm. This U3A (University of the Third Age) is open to all retired people and features a very wide range of sections. For example: Bridge, Languages, Music Appreciation, Theatre Visits, Walks.  Contact Membership Secretary Sue Shaw 01628 485024.www.marlowu3a.org.uk

Marlow Community Association:

MCA run the Liston Hall, the 'home' of many clubs and societies. With a large hall and two separate satellite rooms for hire together with a well equipped kitchen, most meetings and displays can be catered for. Ring 01628 472558 (Mon-Fri 0900-1200).
http://www.marlowca.com/

Marlow Marly-le-Roi Town Twinning Association

Marlow Town Twinning Association exists to help friendship between the inhabitants of Marlow and its twin town Marly-le-Roi, France. We achieve this with regular social events and exchange trips. http://www.marlowtowntwinning.co.uk
(contact Chairman: Wilma Johnston – 01628 473872)

Marlow Budavár Town Twinning Association

In November 2007 a formal twinning agreement was signed by the Mayors of Marlow and Budavár, a district of Budapest in Hungary. In December the Marlow Budavár Town Twinning Association sprang to life. Its aim is to encourage friendship between the inhabitants and the social, sporting and cultural organisations of Marlow and Budavár. In addition the Association organises events in Marlow with a Hungarian ‘flavour’ and arranges exchange visits between Marlovians and Budavárians
www.marlow-budavar.info/

Marlow National Trust Group

We are an association of National Trust members and volunteers founded in 1984, and have members in Marlow, Henley, Bourne End and the surrounding countryside. We hold a monthly meetings  with a guest speaker at Liston Hall on the 3rd Wednesday in every month, except August, and also arrange group trips and holidays to place of interest in the UK and abroad. http://www.marlownta.btck.co.uk/

Buckinghamshire Family History Society

The Buckinghamshire Family History Society was formed in 1976 to encourage and promote the study of family history in the county. The Society has over 1600 members and caters for both those with Bucks ancestry (who may live at a distance) and for those who live locally whose ancestors may have lived elsewhere.
The Southern Group (covering Marlow) meetings are at Bourne End Community Centre,  Wakeman Road, Bourne End, SL8 5SX and meetings - usually with a guest speaker-  are held on the second Tuesday of the month. Doors open at 19:15 and the program commences at approx 19:45. All are welcome but we request a small donation from non-members. www.bucksfhs.org.uk