Next meeting.  Join us for a festive evening of ‘Christmas Treats’ this coming Friday, 12 December 2014.  To start us off there will be three short presentations: Alison Valiadis will be introducing a short film recording a 1970s re-enactment of the Siege of Warwick Castle; Richard Groves will be telling of unintended consequences of being aware of your surroundings under the intriguing title ‘The Perils of Paying Attention’; then Ilona Sekacz and friends will be introducing and explaining the seasonal tradition of Wassail.  As if that was not enough, the evening will be rounded off with our offering of mince pies and mulled wine!

January meeting.  On Friday 16 January 2015, we will be joined by Mairi Macdonald, who will be presenting ‘A History of Stratford-upon-Avon in Pictures.’

Tickets for the AGM Supper, being held on 20 March, will be on sale at this meeting and on 20 February.

Community Drama.  Those of you who came to the November meeting when Colin Edwards talked about ‘Ilmington Remembers the 1950s: a village recording project’, will be aware of what can be achieved when a community pools its talents in a drama project.  The Anglican and Methodist churches in Kineton are attempting something similar next year – putting on a “fantastic new Passion Play” during Holy Week 2015. If you are interested in getting involved in any way, from actor to event steward, you will be welcome to attend the initial meeting at Kineton High School next Wednesday 12 December at 7.30pm or to contact either the Rev Barry Jackson 01926-640248 barry@edgehillchurches.org  or the Rev Dawn Saunders 01926-640385 dawnjsaunders@aol.com

If you are unable to join us next Friday evening for the Christmas Treats, the committee of the Kineton & District Local History Group wishes you a very happy Christmas and looks forward to meeting you at one of our meetings early in the New Year.

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

7 December 2014

Next meeting.  A reminder that, on Friday 21 November 2014, Colin Edwards is coming go talk to us about ‘Ilmington Remembers the 1950s:a village recording project.’ As usual the meeting will be held in Kineton Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

David Gill, a long-term member of the K&DLHG and a former chairman, went into hospital yesterday (Tuesday) for an operation on his knee. I am sure all members wish him and Joy a speedy recovery and return to active life in Kineton.

A Thoughtful Departure. Having experienced two differing styles of funeral last week, I came across the following notice for an older relative of a family resident in Kineton during the 1920s and 1930s:

Deaths. Huttenbach – On the 1^st Dec, at 35 Norfolk Square, Ludwig Huttenbach, late of Penang and Singapore, in his 58th year, after a short illness from pneumonia. Cremation took place at Golder’s Green. Friends please accept this, the only intimation. He having expressed this wish:- “As friends might be inconvenienced by attending my funeral, while their doing so would not do me any good, I wish that notice of my death be given only after the cremation has taken place.”                                            The Times, Thurs 4 Dec 1913

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

5 November 2014

Next meeting.  Our Autumn  programme of indoor meetings continues next week when, on Friday 17 October 2014 Chris Holland will be talking about ‘August 1914: When Warwickshire went to War’.  Chris is an authority on many aspects of the First World War as they affected the Midlands and is the author or editor of several books , including ‘Before Gallipoli: the 29^th Division in Warwickshire and north Oxfordshire’ , ‘Coventry  and Warwickshire 1914-1919; Local Aspects of the Great War’ and ‘A Strange Time: the diary and scrapbooks of Cordelia Leigh [of Stoneleigh Abbey] 1914-1919’. No doubt, some of these books will be on display and available for purchase at the meeting.

As usual the meeting will be held in Kineton Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Local History Fair   The Leamington History Group will be holding its annual Local History Fair at Dormer Hall, Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm on 18 October 2014.  The theme for the event is “Changing Places”, with special reference to Leamington Spa and World War I. There will be a range of displays, a bookstall and a raffle. A centrepiece will be a map compiled by Dick Fisk showing the locations of the homes of the families in the district which lost at least one member.

A dozen or so local history groups will be taking part, entry is free, and coffee and tea will be served all day

Roundwood Press.  Later this month, Michel Valiadis has arranged an ‘Exhibition of Books Printed in Kineton.’  This will include books covering many different subjects including the Civil War, printed between 1950s and 1980s.  The exhibition will be open to the public on Friday 24 October 2014 (6pm–8pm), Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2014 (10am-4pm) in Kineton Village Hall.  Admission £1.

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

9 October 2014

Next meeting. Our programme of indoor meetings resumes next week when, on Friday 19 September 2014, Professor John Hunter, will be telling us ‘Tales from a Forensic Archaeologist.’ As usual the meeting will be held in Kineton Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Summer Outings 2014. Over the summer members enjoyed three varied outings, to Southam, Cropredy, and the Acton Scott Historic Working Farm.  Our thanks are due to Isobel Gill for her hard work in organising these.

BALH Newsletter. click here to view the latest e-newsletter from the British Association for Local History, of which K&DLHG is a member.

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

10 September 2014

A reminder that we are now taking a break from our programme of indoor meetings, which will resume in September. However, for the next  three months, there is the opportunity to go out and about on our SummerOutings arranged by Isobel Gill

• Friday 20 June 2014 Evening visit to Southam, with a visit to the Cardall Collelction, looking at  Southam’s past and the local area.  Meet at the new home for the collection, The Basement at Vivian House, Market Hill, Southam at 7.30pm
  Price £5

• Friday 18 July 2014 Evening visit to Cropredy with a short historical walk led by Stephen Wass (who spoke to us in March 2013 about the archaeology of the Farnborough Hall Estate). Meet outside St Mary’s Church at 7.30pm. Finishing back at the church for a cup of tea and cake; as an added bonuss Stephen will take anyone interested up to see the amazing clock.
  Price £3

• Saturday 9 August 2014 Day coach outing to Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, Shropshire. Meet outside St Peter’s Church, Kineton, at 9.00am.  Acton Scott has long provided the opportunity with the opportunity to become familiar with the country life of yesteryear. It offers a chance to see traditional 19^th century farm life recreated, where the land around is worked by heavy horses.  Acton Scott achieved national fame on television as the setting for BBC2’s  ‘Victorian Farm’ There is a circular walk, ‘the Country Squire’s Stroll’, taking in the estate’s picturesque landscape and many recognisable film locations. The cafe offers home cooked hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks in the setting of the refurbished and rstored former school.
  Price £20To book your place(s)  or for further information, please contact Isobel on (01926) 640426 or email

  isobel.gill22@btinternet.com

Marking the Centenary of the Outbreak of the Great War

• K&DLHG will be making its contribution to the commemorations, when Chris Holland comes to talk to us on Friday 17 October under the title ‘August 1914: When Warwickshire went to War.’

• Kineton Parish Council is seeking planning approval for the provision of a plaque, near the existing war memorial, naming those who fought in World War I and survived to return to the village. A list of names is being displayed in various shop windows in the village.  If you are related to any of these survivors, you are invited to supply the following details: Soldier’s full name, Number, Regiment, Your Name and Address, and email address if available.  Details can be dropped off at Fisher’s Hairdressers or emailed to kinetonwarmemorial@btinternet.com

• The Friends of Kineton High School have arranged a Floral Demonstration with Gill of Flower Thyme ‘Commemorating 100 Years since World War I’ at Kineton High School on Thursday 12 June at 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start. Tickets £7-50 to include a wine or fruit juice, available from Flower Thyme, Linda on 01926-641367 or email friends@kinetonhighschool.org.uk

• Members of the Stoneleigh History Society have spent many months researching the lives and war service of the 80 men whose names appear on the Roll of Honour in their village hall – these men served their country and were fortunate to return home; a further 13 lost their lives, and their stories have already been published.  They will be mounting a major exhibition to reveal their researches, and it is hoped that this will remain in the Leigh Chapel of the church during the nation’s commemorations. However, on the evening of Tuesday 24^th June they will be giving a special preview, accompanied by music, a slideshow and refreshments, in Stoneleigh Village Hall (see attached flyer presented as a seperate News article). Members of K&DLHG will be welcome to join them, but please let the chairman, Sheila Woolf, know by June 13^th at the latest that you will be attending – Email shewoolf@hotmail.co.uk, Tel 02476 418759 or 9, The Bank, Stoneleigh, CV8 3DANB. Stoneleigh and Kineton share one name in common, that of Capt Frederick (Fritz) Gardiner.

• Leamington Looks Back. Plenty on offer over the next two months – see attached flyer.

• Sunday 13th July For the last four years the Warmington Heritage Group has held an open day at the National Herb Centre as part of the National Festival of British Archaeology. Each year this event, which is free to local history and archaeology groups in south Warwickshire/north Oxfordshire and to the public, appears to get bigger and better and is very well attended. For the next open day, on Sunday 13th July, K&DLHG will be taking a display stand.  If you can spare us an hour or more on that Sunday to help man the stand, please let me know.

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

30 May2014

This newsletter is earlier than usual, but there are several items that should be brought to your attention now rather than later.

Next meeting. This month, as advertised on the programme card, Dr Gillian White will be talking about “The Great Fire of Warwick 1694” in Kineton Village Hall on Friday 16 May 2014 at 7.30pm.

Then, for the following three months, there is the opportunity to go out and about on our SummerOutings arranged by Isobel Gill

Friday 20 June 2014 Evening visit to Southam, with a visit to the Cardall Collelction, looking at Southam’s past and the local area.  Price £5

Friday 18 July 2014 Evening visit to Cropredy with a short historical walk led by Stephen Wass (who spoke to us in March 2013 about the archaeology of the Farnborough Hall Estate) Price £3

Saturday 9 August 2014 Day coach outing to Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, with the opportunity to see traditional 19^th century farm life recreated, and where the land around is worked by heavy horses. Acton Scott achieved national fame on television as the setting for BBC2’s  ‘Victorian Farm’ Price £20

Tickets will be on sale again at the May meeting.  If you will be unable to attend, or require further information, please contact Isobel on (01926) 640426 or email isobel.gill22@btinternet.com

Lost Property  Following our February meeting, when Brian Lewis talked about  Norton School and the Foundation, Brian found that he was missing a 1971 A5 brochure for the school, which has some photos he hasn’t seen anywhere else. If you, or anyone you know, have borrowed or otherwise found the brochure please let me know ashley@pasgas.plus.com or (01926) 640545 or return it anonymously to 3 Green Farm End, Kineton, Warwick CV35 0LD

Warwickshire and the Normans  Having enjoyed David Freke’s illuminating talk about the many things that can learned from the Kineton Churchyard Survey at our April meeting, why not join him again next Tuesday, 6 May 2014 to learn more about Warwickshire and the Normans ?  (more details on the flyer below).

Sunday 13th July 2014 For the last four years the Warmington Heritage Group has held an open day at the National Herb Centre as part of the National Festival of British Archaeology. Each year this event, which is free to local history and archaeology groups in south Warwickshire/north Oxfordshire and to the public, appears to get bigger and better and is very well attended. For the next open day, on Sunday 13th July, K&DLHG will be taking a display stand. If you can spare us an hour or more on that Sunday to help man the stand, please let me know.

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

1 May 2014

Reminder. Please remember that our next meeting is this coming  Friday 25 April 2014 and that there has been a change of programme.  Instead of the topic advertised on the programme card, David Freke will be giving an illustrated talk “In Loving Memory: Kineton Churchyard survey results.” 

Outings 2014  Tickets for the three summer outings will be on sale at this meeting.

Friday 20 June 2014          Evening visit to Southam.

Friday 18 July 2014           Evening visit to Cropredy

Saturday 9 August 2014     Day coach outing to Acton Scott Historic           Working Farm

First World War 

K&DLHG will be marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with a talk by Chris Holland ‘August 1914: When Warwickshire went to War’ at our meeting on Friday 17 October 2014.

Before then the Pillertons are holding an event ‘Pillerton at War’ in Pillerton Priors Village Hall on Sunday 18 May 2014 at 7.00pm in aid of the Pillerton War Memorial Appeal.  Full details in the flyer in separate News article.

Help. One of the speakers/ organisers, James Kerr (email jk@jameskerr.co.uk) , has also asked for our help: “I am looking for a photograph of Henry Valentine Mills, the local squire in Pillerton  who was killed in 1917 and lived in the Manor – just wondered if you might have one, apparently he sat on the bench of the magistrates court in Kineton before the war.” 

The Warwickshire Library and Information Service is also organising a First World War Project (see second flyer below)

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

23 April 2014

Warwickshire Library and Information Service

First World War Project

A new project is being launched at Rugby, Leamington and Nuneaton libraries to gather photographs of Warwickshire people who lived through the First World War.

The project will collect information about local people who fought in the War or those who stayed at home to commemorate the centenary. The photographs and biographical information will be put into a booklet available to borrow from libraries and displays will be exhibited in September.

Anyone who has photographs of a Warwickshire relation is asked to contact the relevant library to book an appointment with a library volunteer to get their material scanned. Scanning days are available at Rugby, Leamington and Nuneaton on;

                                 Wednesday 14^th May 2014

                             Saturday 6^th June 2014

Unfortunately, unless an appointment is made beforehand it will not be possible to scan material on the day, however, more sessions may be available at a later date.

May

June

Louise Essex, Senior Librarian, Local Studies says, “We are expecting lots of people to come forward with fascinating stories to tell about their relations. We are interested in those who fought and also those who stayed behind; the men in protected industries and the women who looked after their families or those who worked on the land or in factories.

 For more information please e-mail; librarylocalstudies@warwickshire.gov.uk or speak to a member of staff at one of the three libraries.

Next Meeting. Please remember that our next meeting is on Friday 25 April 2014 (the fourth Friday of the month) beginning at 7.30pm.  Change of Programme. The speaker and topic for the evening will not be as printed on your programme card.  Angela Allison is no longer able to join us.  Instead, David Freke will be giving an illustrated talk “In Loving Memory: Kineton Churchyard survey results.”  If you feel there is little to learn about churchyards and their  memorials, think again!  Gill and I heard David give a similar talk to a local history symposium last year and were amazed by the variety of detail that can be discovered within a local churchyard; both academics and the local historians showed great interest in what David had told them.  Come and share that experience.

Outings 2014 Isobel Gill has arranged three outings for the summer months:

Friday 20 June 2014             Evening visit to Southam.

Friday 18 July 2014              Evening visit to Cropredy

Saturday 9 August 2014        Day coach outing to Acton Scott Historic Working Farm

Further details will be available at the April meeting, when tickets will go on sale.

May Meeting. On Friday 16 May 2014 Dr Gillian White will be telling us about “The Great Fire of Warwick 1694”

WLHS 50^th Anniversary Prize Essay 2015.  In 2015 the Warwickshire Local History Society (of which K&DLHG is a member) is celebrating its fiftieth birthday.  To mark the occasion the Society intends to award a prize of £250 for the best essay on any aspect of Warwickshire’s history.  The essay, based on original research and hitherto un-published, should contain not more than 9,000 words.  Entries from postgraduate students and those new to local history research will be particularly welcome.

It is expected that the winning entry will be published in 2015 in the Society’s journal, Warwickshire History, and other articles of merit will be considered for publication at a later date.

Closing date for submissions: 1^st May 2015

Any queries about the choice of subject and the procedure for entry should be addressed to the honorary editor (and our honorary president): Dr Robert Bearman, 4 Bridge Road, Butlers Marston, Warwick,
CV35 0ND    Tel: 01926-641560            Email: bearman452@btinternet.com      

BALH e-newsletter.  For the enthusiasts among you, I attach below a copy of the newsletter sent out by the British Association for Local History, of which K&DLHG is a member.

Peter Ashley-Smith, secretary

10 April 2014

BALH e-Newsletter April 2014

Cottage with weaver’s window, inhabited by John Mines, the last weaver in Corsley (Wilts). From Life in an English Village, Maud F Davies, originally published 1909,
new edition 2013 Hobnob Press

WELCOME TO THE FIRST e-NEWSLETTER OF 2014

As some of you know we have been piloting the BALH electronic Newsletter for the past year.  When it started it was available to members who subscribed via our website, but after the good feedback we received we took the decision to make it part of your BALH membership package.  Unfortunately, through lack of email addresses, some of you will be unaware of the Newsletter so an especially warm welcome to those who are receiving it for the first time.

The Newsletter was started as a way for us to keep in touch with our many members, both society and individual, but especially society members who may not see regular copies of The Local Historian and Local History News.  The Newsletter is an extra to our two regular publicatons, working beside Local History News we try not to duplicate items, and you will receive it four times a year between publication of TLH and LHN.   Societies – please note that one copy of the Newsletter will be sent out to each society which we ask you to kindly forward onto your members.  If you would prefer we used a different email address please let me know.

The Newsletter is a forum for members, and we invite you to send in contributions on any aspect of local history, including participating in and reporting on regional news, starting debates on issues affecting your region and/or all regions of the UK, sharing your research methods to encourage other members to start or continue their research, asking queries of the membership, writing news of history in your locality,  explaining to others how your society mixes with the local population, the list can be endless ..   This is a great medium to keep in touch with other members on a regular basis.  Please send contributions to the email address below.

In this Newsletter we have a request for information on first floor chapels from Leamington History Group, an interesting article on protecting a medieval church building from Colmworth and Neighbours History Society, and an article on bringing history to life in North Kent graveyards from Kent Archaeology Society.  The Tools & Trades History Society have written to invite new members to join them, and we have some interesting news on what societies have been up to in Cornwall.  Also included this time is archives news, recommended resources, and a list of BALH publications/articles which are useful for World War One research.  Do also look at the Volunteering Opportunties as BALH are looking for people to help man stalls at fairs and history events, and there’s a new project by The Council for British Archaeology regarding the mapping of remains of First World War Britain.  For those of you who knew Joan Thirsk or were aware of her work we are pleased to bring you Adrienne Rosen’s account of Joan’s memorial service.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of the BALH electronic Newsletter.  We look forward to hearing your views and comments, and especially to receiving your contributions.

Jacquie Fillmore
Editor
e-news@balh.co.uk

AGM and Supper.  Our 26^th AGM and Supper will be held later this week, on Friday 21 March.  If you have already booked, please remember that the proceedings start at 7.00pm.  If you have not booked and would now like to join us for the Supper (price £11-50), please get in touch with Gill (01926-640545 or ashley@pasgas.plus.com)  by Tuesday evening at the latest.

Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?  As part of the relaxation after the Supper, those attending are invited to each bring a ‘mystery object’ (whose identity is known to the bringer) for the rest of the company to identify/guess.  The idea is not be for objects to be valued or identified if the owners themselves don’t know what they are.  The more of you willing to bring an object, the more fun we can have to round off the evening.

 April Meeting.  On Friday 25 April 2014 Angela Allison will be talking to us about ‘The Early Black Presence in Warwickshire’

Peter Ashley-Smith, secretary

17 March 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