AGM 17th March 7.30 Village Hall
Followed by David Moylan:
Funny Turns – a celebration of the entertainers and entertainment of days gone by.
David Moylan performs comedy magic, with an historical edge. He has been a resident entertainer at Warwick Castle for many years, combining music and close-up magic, and he regularly entertains at corporate events, private functions, community groups like ours and medieval banquets – not something we can lay on this week unfortunately. But Ilona will be on hand to provide refreshments.
Visitors welcome (Visitors’ Entrance fee £3.00)
M. Clack | M. Clack | V&A Explore the collections
Review of 17th February Meeting with David Fry talking about the Coventry Silk Ribbon Industry. David set out to dispel some myths that have grown up around the history of the Coventry silk ribbon industry. He challenged basic “facts”, such as: who started it, when it started, and were the first silk ribbon weavers Hugenot refugees? David demonstrated that much received wisdom, even the cherished notion that some modern-day Coventrians are descended from Hugenots, is tenuous at best and plain wrong at times. His talk was a cautionary tale about the need to consult primary sources and how to question accepted ideas. He was also clear about the history of the “top-shop” weavers, the introduction of the Jacquard Loom, and the decline of the industry when trade opened up with Europe, and particularly with France, after the Napoleonic Wars. The wonderful complex design on the left (David brought an example of it) which was shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851, was produced when the industry was already collapsing. Weavers diversified into making medal ribbons, bookmarks pictures, and, latterly, name-tapes. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has a fine collection related to the industry and its sociology. David’s talk was well illustrated with shots of weavers’ cottages, looms, and of course the products of the industry.
Our Forthcoming Talks
| Date | Speaker | Title |
| 21 April | Judith Ellis | Campden House – the howse which was so fayre |
| 19 May | Frances Kermer | Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival |
| 15 June (eve) | Diana Hughes | Sibford Gower and Burdrop village walk |
| 21 July (eve) | John Dunkerton | Hampton Lucy village walk |
| 17 Aug. (afternoon) | Sean Callery | Broadway town visit |
| 15 September | Martin Sinot-Smith | Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family. |
| 20 October | John Miles | Charlecote & the Lucy Family |
| 17 November | Paul Grigsby | Roman Warwickshire |
| 8 December | Various | Members’ Christmas Treats |
| 19 January 2024 | Peter Walters | A Little History of Coventry |
| 16 February | Stephen Barker | The Battle of Edgehill 1642 |
| 15 March AGM | Vanessa Morgan | Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century |
Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman
Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings. This book would make an ideal birthday present? Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.
Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk
or purchase at meetings or via PayPal from our website:
Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)
Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton. The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences. There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.
Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email: colinjamessuch@gmail.com.
Other Societies’ Events
Southam Heritage Collection: Accessing the Collection:
The current exhibition showcases the work by volunteers on the local Civil War loss accounts
Opening times are – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings 10 am – 12 noon.
Other times by appointment.
Our High Street and Atrium window displays are updated regularly so please keep a lookout for the latest displays as you pass by.
In addition to the Exhibition Room there is plenty to see online, so do take time to explore this website and sample some of its many interesting articles.
British Association for Local History. The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members. www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.
Gresham College Lectures on History
Ancient Landscapes of Britain (Archaeology) Helena Hamerow
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/ancient-britain
The Medieval Agricultural Revolution: New Evidence
Helena Hamerow
6pm, Thurs 23 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/agricultural-rev
Don’t forget to check our own website at: Kineton and District Local History Group
Alec Hitchman,
The Hills Farm,
Pillerton Hersey,
WARKS, CV35 0QQ,
With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:
name: Kineton and District Local History Group,
sort code: 40-43-19;
acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.
For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.
2022-23 KDLHG Committee
President: Dr Robert Bearman MBE
Chairman David Freke
Vice-Chairman Roger Gaunt
Secretary Ilona Sekacz
Treasurer Alec Hitchman
Outings Secretary Rosemary Collier
Programme Secretary Claire Roberts
Other committee members:
Isobel Gill
George Lokuciejewski
Catherine Petrie (PR)
Pamela Redgrave (Membership)
Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516 mob. 07876 290044 email: djfreke@gmail.com
DF 13.03.23