Past events

Pragna Hay Our May talk is a very personal one, Pragna will tell us how in1972 as a child she became a refugee, with her family, from the tyrannical regime in Uganda. In 1972, the President of Uganda, announced that ALL Asians living in Uganda MUST leave as they were “milking the economy of Uganda”. […]

2.00 pm, 20th April 2026.    Speaker: Dr David Peacock.   David will talk about the medieval Friary at Donnington which was closed down by Henry VIII, and the house which was built to replace it in the 17th century as a home for the Cowslade family. He will highlight some of those who lived there […]

2.00 pm, 16th March 2026 Speaker: Jenni Collins.   Jenni, a trustee of one of the town’s almshouse trusts, will talk about the history and running of the trusts.

2.00 pm, 16th February 2026.   Speakers: Ros Clow, Liz Allen, Tom Allen, Jenni Collins.   In 2024, inspired by a talk to the Family History Group about the Plenty Engineering Works, the Field Club set up an Oral History Project.          Ros Clow willl introduce the project.          Liz Evans will talk about her adventures with the Plenty […]

2.00 pm, 19th January 2026 Speakers: Sue Campbell, Linda Clark, David Clow, Maureen Hudd, Meg Thomas Our first talk of the year, only we are being treated to five instead of one! Five of your fellow members are going to give ten minute talks on subjects close to them, as follows:           David Clow: Corn Exchanges, […]

Ros and David Clow will host our traditional Christmas quiz, no doubt Christmas fare will be involved.

James Puxley relates the history of Welford Park, all the way up to the Great British Bake Off!

Dr Paul Sievers tours the district with his photographs recorded for the benefit of Newbury Cancer Care Trust. As well as contributing for over 20 years to the Trust’s annual calendar Paul has produced a book of local scenes entitled ‘A man for all seasons’ the sales of which support cancer care in West Berkshire.

Back for the 13th year – a day of talks with a common theme: The History of Greenham Saturday 4th October 2025 – 10.00am to 4.30pm.Tea and coffee will be available between talks; bring your own lunch or eat at one of the many food outlets nearby. Venue details: St Nicolas’ Church Hall, West Mills, […]

Thatcham today is the smaller settlement almost merging with it’s larger neighbour, Newbury – but it was not always so, before Newbury even existed Thatcham was thriving settlement – how do they compare over the centuries – this is an opporunity to find out.

When a young Dave Stubbs arrived to police Wash Common, he was intrigued to find a musket ball in his garden, this sparked a life long interest in local history and now, here he is to tell us all about it.

Jenni Collins will tell us what she has learnt whilst researching for her university course.