We start our summer outings this month
NB Please note the date for the Sibford village walk is Friday 16th June.
Meet at 6.00pm Sibford Village Hall OX15 5RN
Sibford is mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086 as “Scipforde”, derived from the Saxon personal name “Sibba’s”. and the ford in the valley. The “Gower” element is from a another family name, a lord of the Manor. Burdrop means the “hamlet near a burgh” – a fortified place. As in nearby Tysoe part of the area was once owned by the Knights Templar and the mill at the bottom of the valey was called Templars’ Mill.
There are 28 listed buildings in the village, and we will be guided expertly around these historic sites, followed by refreshments.
The cost is £7.50 and can be paid in advance (see Treasurer’s details below) or on the day.
Report on our last talk at the Village Hall, on 19 May by Frances Kermer from The Open Spaces Society, a charity dedicated to protecting green and open spaces and ensuring their survival for future generations to enjoy. In her talk entitled Common Land – Its Origin, Loss and Survival She clarified many aspects of commons, starting with their origin in the rights of medieval villagers to graze animals, take fallen wood, cut turfs and even extract minerals, depending upon the conditions set out in the manor courts. The cases heard by the manor courts baron (meeting every three weeks) and court leets (meeting every two years) are similar in many ways to the complaints around commons today – over grazing, encroachment, inappropriate activities. Houses are not permitted, nor fencing, and animal grazing rates should be controlled. Rural commons and village and town greens are all covered by the Commons Act 2006, and the term covers a wide variety of land types and uses. The origins of commons are in medieval feudal rights, as part of the resources of the manor available to all sections of the community.
The extent of common land was much reduced by the enclosures which were under way by the 16th century, and comparatively little common land remains today.
The legal position of commons has long been problematic, with Acts of Parliament addressing various issues in 1588, 1876, 1899, 1925, 1965, 2000 and most recently in 2006. Commons continue to generate disputes, despite county councils being obliged to compile a Register of Commons and the rights attached to them. The Open Spaces Society actively searches for unregistered areas of land which may qualify for registration, but which have been overlooked or rejected by County Councils.
Gill Stewart led the vote of thanks drawing on her own experiences, which included one of the examples used by Frances in her talk.
Thanks are due to Jackie and Mark Walker dispensed teas, coffees and biscuits, a ritual which will be discontinued as there are fewer and fewer takers for what is an extra duty for members of the group.
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Just a reminder that we have a full programme of talks scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts
| Date | Speaker | Title |
| 16 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 tour |
| 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 |
Local history books
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
Our book Kineton: the Village and its History published in 1999 is now out of print but it is available to read on-line on our website at a cost of £5.00 via PayPal, go to:
Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)
From the Homepage click <Publications> on the left-hand menu, and click the cover illustration to see inside or click the Buy button to download the full publication.
The book gives a well-researched summary of the history of the village from earliest times to the recent past. Five walks to different parts of the village explore notable places and buildings. Further chapters describe the community’s institutions, organisations, and characters. The volume is indexed, and a section gives guidance to other sources of information
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
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.
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.
2023-24 KDLHG Committee
President: Dr Robert Bearman MBE
Chairman David Freke
Vice-Chairman Roger Gaunt
Secretary Vacant
Treasurer Alec Hitchman
Outings Secretary Rosemary Collier
Programme Secretary Claire Roberts
Other committee members:
Isobel Gill
Ilona Sekacz
Catherine Petrie (PR)
Pamela Redgrave (Membership)
Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516 mob. 07876 290044 email: djfreke@gmail.com
DF 11.06.23