PROGRAMME 2004 - (shaded area = visits)

Wed 21

Jan

BANBURY MUSEUM  Foundations of modern Banbury,Civil War, plush manufacture, boatyard and canal. Simon Townsend  has set up this new canal-side interactive museum – Illustrated talk. 7.30 p.m. Longworth Village Hall.

Thurs 19

Feb

WORKING IN A VILLAGE: crafts, industry and tradesmen.  An historical entertainment with readings and illustrations from the society’s archives. Cast of six: Kris Felton, David Jordan, Janet Keene, Jan Kelly, Chris Bowerman and Ken Houlton. 7.30 p.m. Southmoor Village Hall

Wed 17

March

SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND SEVEN SISTERS: a look at plant folklore by Jenny Steel, local wildlife gardening expert. An illustrated talk on the names and folk-lore of plants, with emphasis on the Oxfordshire area. 7.30 p.m. Longworth Village Hall.

Wed 21

April

VISIT TO KINGSTON HOUSE Ginny Grant talks about the history of the house and garden, and her plans for the future, followed by guided tour of the house. Members £4, non-members £5 - to include free guide book and map of the garden.  Meet 7 p.m. at North Gate (by Kingston Bagpuize church).

Wed 19

May

VISIT HINTON WALDRIST RECTORY, GRANGE AND CHURCH. A tour of these listed buildings in the heart of the village to hear of their history. Meet at Hinton church at 7p.m.

Thurs 24 June

VISIT HOOK NORTON BREWERY See unusual Elizabethan house and tour the brewery. Sample the beer and receive souvenir of visit. Tour 5-7p.m. Members £6, non-members £7. Group lifts by non-drinkers to be arranged.

Wed 16

June

EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY 1839-1875 John Wilson of Cogges Manor Farm shows how photography changed remarkably during the early and mid-Victorian era. 7.30 p.m. Longworth Village Hall

Wed 21

July

BRING HISTORY TO LIFE WITH A BANG Hugh Hinde gives an out-door demonstration of military long arms - matchlock musket, Brown Bess, three-band Enfield  etc. – from English Civil War to Waterloo. 7 p.m. Longworth Manor.

Aug

No meeting

Wed 15 Sept

DEATH CLOUDS Illustrated talk by Geoff Sewell. Different types of gas, their uses, and anti-gas protection. His grandfather survived a gas cloud attack in 1915 but his mate did not. How to research your ancestors’ movements in First World War. 7.30 p.m. Longworth Village Hall.

Wed 20

Oct

HISTORY OF HARWELL (Part one) - to 1950  Illustrated talk by Nick Hance. Ridgeway Path, William of Orange, breeding race horses and reputation for innovation, compulsory purchase by RAF, catapult systems for launching aircraft, and nuclear energy. 7.30 p.m. Longworth Village Hall.

Thurs 18

Nov

EDWARD STRAUSS and MRS LESSING: the rise and ruin of Kingston’s last Squire. Malcolm Bee explores the last days of deference and paternalism in Kingston Bagpuize. A way of life, already in decline, was swept away by the spectacular collapse of the Strauss family business and the break up of the Kingston Estate in 1935. 7.30 p.m. Southmoor Village Hall.

Wed 15

Dec

Short AGM followed by a hot meal and wassailing in the RECTORY BARN, Rectory Lane, Longworth (please note change in previously advertised venue) Booking essential as places are limited. Please contact Janet 01865 820522. Cost of meal and glass of wine/punch £6.50. Meet in Rectory Barn. 7.30 p.m. Come warmly dressed, bring a torch and we are looking for Calor gas heaters if you could lend us one for the evening.