Newsletter February 2014

There is a lot going on in February and March
Next meeting. On Friday 21 February 2014 Brian Lewis will be telling us about “Norton: the School and the Foundation”, a subject that promises a lot of local interest. As many of you will remember, Kineton was home to an Approved School for some forty years following the Second World War. During his talk Brian will be describing the origins and legacy of this school and offering answers to such questions as “Why Kineton?” “What do we know of the original benefactor?” and “What went on in the school during the 130 years of its existence? “

Programme 2014-15. Traditionally, the February meeting is the start of the K&DLHG programme year, and the Group’s programme card for 2014-15 will be available at this meeting. As a taster, a summary of talks and outings arranged for the next twelve months are given below.
All meetings are held on Fridays at 7.30 pm at Kineton Village Hall.

21 February 2014
Norton: the School and the Foundation – the origin and outcome of Kineton’s Approved School Brian Lewis

21 March 2014 at 7.00pm
26th AGM and Supper

25 April 2014
The Early Black Presence in Warwickshire Angela Allison

16 May 2014
The Great Fire of Warwick 1694 Dr Gillian White

19 September 2014
Tales from a Forensic Archaeologist Professor John Hunter

18 October 2014
August 1914: when Warwickshire went to war Chris Holland

21 November 2014
Ilmington Remembers the 1950s: a village recording project Colin Edwards

12 December 2014
Christmas Treats Informal presentations by members

16 January 2015
A History of Stratford-upon-Avon in pictures Mairi Macdonald

20 February
Pat McGarrell and Colin Jennings

Outings: Full details of the following three Summer Outings will be available in the Spring
Friday June 20 Evening visit to Southam
Friday July 18 Evening visit to Cropredy
Saturday August 9 Day coach outing to Acton Scott Historic Working Farm

Subscriptions. Annual subscriptions (still £7-50 per person) are now due. Come prepared with cash or cheque book, and collect your new programme card in return.

AGM and Supper. Our 26th AGM and Supper will be held on Friday 21 March, 2014 beginning at 7.00pm (and not as scheduled on your old programme card). There will be a second opportunity to buy your ticket(s) for the Supper at the February meeting. The price is £11-50 per person (price unchanged from 2013!). If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking.

New committee members. The AGM offers the opportunity to elect a new committee and inject fresh ideas and skills into the running of the Group. If you would like to join the committee yourself, or know someone who might be interested in serving, please get in touch with our current chairman David Freke (01295-670516 or frekedj@globalnet.co.uk ) or secretary Peter Ashley-Smith (01926-640545 or ashley@pasgas.plus.com). We would be delighted to hear

Website. Reminder. As always full K&DLHG programme details and other news are available on our website at www.kinetonheritage.co.uk

Volunteering Opportunities at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The SBT is looking for volunteers. Quoting from the latest SBT flyer (copies of which will be available at the February meeting) “we offer unique volunteer roles assisting us in the delivery of our Shakespeare centred experience, which includes outstanding archive collections, inspiring event programmes and five wonderful houses. We have a broad range of roles to suit your skills, including living history, exhibition hosting, gardening, farming, education, collections, retail and administration. Please contact the Community Engagement Coordinator 01789-204016 or volunteering@shakespeare.org.uk”

Peter Ashley-Smith, secretary
10 February 2014