Past events

David Skyme will relate the tale of a mysterious lady from East Woodhay? Who is she? What infamy did she bring to the local area? 

after a brief AGM Karen Pryer will entertain us with slides of her renovation on her listed cottage. The presentation on ‘Church Cottage – Restoring a timber-framed cottage’ will describe the process that Karen & James Pryer went through to restore their Grade II listed cottage in East Garston. From the initial sale purchase to […]

Tom Allen studied Captain Hawkes, who was an old boy of St Bartholomew’s school. He will explain the history of his life before the First World War followed by his service in the Army and how he was awarded the Military Cross. 

Join us at St Marys Church for our annual history day. Doors open at 9.45am for a 10am start. Speakers are:- Dr David Peacock              Almshouses in Newbury Penelope Stokes               The Foundling Hospital Simon Marsh                     The Battles of Newbury Marie-Louise Kerr                The History of Penicillin David Willetts                    Relief in Need                   Booking […]

David Wickens has delved into the history of Newbury racecourse and will join us on May 21st to tell us more.

Johnathan Hopson will give an illustrated talk on the history of Camp Hopson, the iconic store on Newbury Northbroook Street.

Our guest speaker this month is Carol Brindley who has complied this talk especially for us. “The Cope Hall Colony” – For 26 months during WW1 Cope Hall was used as a Women’s Training Colony, setting out to “rescue” women who might otherwise have found themselves in prison.   The project was led by Dr Helen […]

On Tuesday 20th February guest speaker Alan Bovingdon-Cox will talk to us about the history of RAF Welford. RAF Welford was originally constructed for the RAF with a typical three runway layout. The longest runway was about 6,00ft long running from East to West. Tea/coffee from 1.45pm, talks start at 2.15pm. Visitors £3, members free.

On Tuesday 16th January guest speaker Sarah Somerville will talk to us about the history of Shaw House. Tea/coffee from 1.45pm, talks start at 2.15pm. Visitors £3, members free.

Members free, non-members £3. A chance to socialise with your fellow members while enjoying a light-hearted quiz and a few nibbles. Ros & David Clow will provide the questions and keep track of the scores.

Members free, non-members £3. The 1921 Census forms were withheld from public view for 100 years, until 2022. Obviously they are very useful for those reserching their family history, but they also provide a picture of a country just beginning to recover from the trauma and loss of the most devastating war ever fought by […]

Our history day this year consists of a day of talks with a common theme – people who have contributed to life in Newbury. The series of illustrated talks will include: circus impressario ‘Lord’ George Sanger who achieved international renown from humble beginnings in Newbury (above); Newbury’s most famous son, Jack of Newbury, the Tudor […]