NEWSLETTER 3rd September 2018

Forthcoming K&DLHG event 21^st September, 7.330 Village Hall. Our first evening meeting after the summer visits will continue the theme of “outings”, with Andrew Baxter celebrating the Edgehill Tearooms. He actually lives on the site of one of the tearooms, and has carried out extensive research into the history, development and activities centred on the many establishments which sprang up around Sanderson Miller’s 18^th century tower (now the Castle Inn). The tearooms and the adjacent woods were favourite targets for groups and individuals enjoying a rural break from urban routines. Very little physical evidence now remains of this once-thriving venue for charabancs, walkers and cycling clubs, although the keen-eyed can still spot the faded painted sign on the stone gatepost at the entrance to one venue. This contemporary postcard of the same establishment shows the Edwardian-period view from just about where Andrew’s house now stands. Those who have heard Andrew talk before on subjects as diverse as Roman engineering and the battle of Edgehill, USA, will know and appreciate his informative illustrations and his relaxed, enthusiastic delivery.

Report on the 11th August coach visit to the Bristol Docks and Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

After many weeks of hot dry weather our coach set off promptly from St Peter’s westwards into the forecast of rain later. A slight hold-up on the approach to Bristol hardly delayed our arrival at the SS Great Britain. As a native Bristolian I remember the return of the rusting hulk from the Falklands in 1970 to the very dry dock where it was built in 1843. The young Victoria had been 6 years on the throne when her new husband Albert attended the launch. It was not a dramatic slipway launch, the SS GB was hauled gently out of the dock into the Floating Harbour for fitting-out. Our first view was of her rear end, but what an elegant rear end, beautifully shaped and gilded, the huge iron ship apparently floating on placid water. This was a clever illusion, and we were able to walk down under the shimmering surface to admire her splendid bottom. The guides had given us a brief history, explaining that the interior was reconstructed to reflect two of the main episodes of her chequered career, the stern half reproducing the brief luxury of its intended purpose as an ocean liner on the transatlantic route, and the forward areas giving an insight into its subsequent use as a migrant ship taking hopeful gold prospectors and emigrants to Australia. The contrast was obvious, a stark difference between the original accommodation for less than 200 transatlantic passengers and the later modifications to house 600-plus emigrants. There remained a class distinction however, as a white line marked the limit of 2^nd and 3^rd class passengers’ access to the aft deck above the 1st class saloon.

The reconstructed engine which powered the propeller is vast, one of the many innovations in Brunel’s design.

In the adjacent museum, displayed among the many objects from the ship, were letters and documents written by passengers and crew describing their experiences. I enjoyed the sight of racks and racks of meticulously labelled artefacts from the ship. A separate museum was devoted to Brunel and his works, not least the GWR and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge

The ship and its two museums and a café provided plenty to see and do, but there was just time to walk along the redundant dock railway tracks to the M-Shed, passing preserved examples of historic cranes and rolling stock. The M-Shed is an outpost of Bristol Museum. It houses a very engaging presentation of Bristol’s history, not shying away from the slave trade which provided much of the city’s wealth and its current multicultural character. There was also café and a temporary exhibition celebrating Bristol personalities, including Banksy, and the historic Bristol (pop) music scene. A lively venue in which we could have spent more time.

But the first rain for many weeks began as we wended our way o’er the tracks back to the coach and home, impressed not only by the magnificent SS GB but also by the skill and dedication of the many people involved in its rescue, conservation and presentation. Our thanks to Isobel for arranging the excursion

September is a busy month for local history, here are some forthcoming events ——

The Kineton Evergreens’ next meeting in the Village Hall at 2.30pm on the 13^th September features

Richard Westcott who will describe his experiences and demonstrate some of his costumes as a Pantomime Dame – Oh no he won’t ! – etc. etc.

“ Confessions of a Pantomime Dame”

Step behind the scenes and into the Dame’s Dressing Room

where you can watch Richard Westcott transform himself from Dapper Gentleman to Dame Matilda

Discover all the Trials, Tribulations, Fun and Frocks of Life.

Tea and cakes served after the performance

Admission Free

Other Local Heritage Events

Heritage Open Days –

Chesterton Windmill Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September 10.30am – 4.30pm, last entry 3.30pm

A unique chance to look at Chesterton Windmill, a local landmark that was built between 1632 and 1633. Subject to weather conditions.  First come, first-served basis. Small charge for parking. FREE event, no need to book, donations welcome.

Thurs 6^th -Sun 9^th Sept: South Lodge, Leamington: Leamington History Group local history displays

Warwick Museum– Behind the Scenes – Museum Store Montague Road Warwick

13th September, Archaeology Tours at 10am and 11.30am

Friday 14th September, Costume Tours at 10am and 11.30am

Learn more about our collections behind the scenes at our Museum Stores and find out how we care for and store these fascinating items. On Thursday join us for a look at our archaeology collections and on Friday see some of the historical costumes in the collection. FREE, donations welcomed.

Hands on Warwickshire – Meet the Volunteers Market Hall Museum Warwick–

 Saturday 15th September 10am – 3pm

Meet our wonderful team of volunteers and let them share with you some of their favourite items from our collections. Drop-in throughout the day to handle the objects, explore the museum and find out about volunteering at the Market Hall Museum. FREE event, no need to book, donations welcomed. Suitable for all ages.

 Behind the Scenes – Archives Warwickshire County Record Office

Saturday 15th September, Tours at 2.30pm and 3.30pm

Find out how we care for Warwickshire’s precious documents at the County Record Office and go behind the scenes to visit our strong rooms. FREE donations welcome.

Selina Cooper: Working Class Suffragist Market Hall Museum – Monday 17th September – Talk 2pm – 3pm, Museum closes at 4pm. Family historian Jennifer Cranfield talks about her great aunt, who was one of the few women suffragists who spoke on a national platform. £7.50

Other Societies’ events

Leamington History Group 22^nd September:Local History Day at the Parish Church: launch of “Royal Leamington Spa, a History in 100 Buildings”, all day.

24th September 7.30, Dormer Conference Centre, Dormer Place. Leamington Spa: Tara Morton: Mapping Women’s Suffrage. Tara presents her research into the suffragists and suffragettes of Leamington, including Mary Dormer Harris and Mary Louise Vellacott.

The Southam Heritage Collection

Sept 4^th , then Tues Fri and Sat until Tues Nov 20^th, 10.00am -12.00 Tithe place, High Street ,Southam.

Lighthorne History Society

Friday 7th September, 7.30 pm, Lighthorne Village Hall “The History of Walton Hall and its Scandal” by Elizabeth, Lady Hamilton. In 1866, Sir Charles Mordaunt brought his young bride, Harriet Moncreiffe, back to his Warwickshire mansion, Walton Hall. She was part of the Prince of Wales’ infamous set, and when she had a baby there were several contenders for fatherhood. The ensuing trial, involving the Prince himself, was a scandal. Lady Hamilton of Walton Hall, President of the Warwicks. Local History Soc., has written a book on the scandal. Her talk is sure to be entertaining.

KDLHG Committee Matters.

There has been no committee meeting since the last newsletter.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 10^th September 2018

DF 3.09. 2018

NEWSLETTER 4^th August 2018

Forthcoming K&DLHG event. Our final 2018 summer outing is the all-day coach trip to the historic Bristol Docks and SS Great Britain on Saturday August 11^th. The coach leaves from outside St Peter’s Church, Kineton, at 8.45am. The very extensive historic Bristol Docks area has been completely refurbished, and now houses museums, historic boats, restaurants, bars, art galleries and Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

The cost, including entrance to the SS Gt Britain, is only £28.00 per person. We need to fill our coach so if you know of non-members who would be interested in coming on this trip please spread the word. You can still sign up to the Bristol trip by phoning Isobel (01926 640426) or Ilona (01295 670675) or by replying to this email (frekedj@globalnet.co.uk).

Report on the 20^th July visit to the Rollright stones. David Shirt, a founder member of the Rollright Stones Trust, met about a score of our members at high noon at the Stones. And high noon it was, on one of the hottest days of the year so far. David explained the chronology of the three prehistoric monuments which comprise the Rollright Stones group as we headed off to see the Whispering Knights. The Trust has laid a very well-maintained walkway, no doubt as effective in mud as it was in the desiccated conditions of our visit. The Whispering Knights are the collapsed remains of a burial chamber or dolmen, dated to around 3,500BC, the early Neolithic period, when the first farmers were settled in the nearby valley, and when this monument would have been a feature on their skyline. The massive capstone was still poised on its three supports as recently as the 18^th century, but the huge uprights at the portal remain standing.

Archaeologists think that the human bones deposited in the chamber could be taken out for ritual or religious purposes. Despite the enormous efforts required to erect such structures, they appear to relate to the needs of small communities or even single families. The stones are all very local, and five and a half thousand years of erosion has carved their surfaces into fantastical convolutions.

The evocative power these stones still have on the imagination can be seen in the many modern deposits occupying nooks and crannies in the stones – coins and corn dollies in particular. Some of these, no doubt, are merely intended to demonstrate somebody’s ability to aim, or they may represent the common impulse to throw coins in a fountain (itself a deeply atavistic thing?) but others clearly represent authentic modern offerings to spirits/genii, whose supposed powers may not be far removed from the deities of the original builders — the earth, the harvest, the sun etc., — particularly the sun during our visit. The offerings now go to help the Trust.

Then back up the track to the King’s Men stone circle, famed for being uncountable, probably because no two people can agree on what constitutes a separate stone in this very battered ring. Its construction dates to about 2,500 BC, a millennium later than the Whispering Knights. Again, it’s made of local stones, which increase in height from the entrance on the south, round both sides to the tallest stones opposite, although still not reaching much more than 2.5m high.

This form of circle is widespread in the west of the British Isles, and there is one almost exactly the same in Cumbria. These late Neolithic monuments mark a change in ritual habits; now large groups seem to be engaged in communal activities – feasts, markets, religious festivals, referenda, bureaucracy? – and these circles, together with other late Neolithic monumental features, seem to provide a community focus. They are often sited, like the Rollright circle, near boundaries and trackways. The King’s Men stones cannot be seen from settlements in the valley but are adjacent to the ridgeway, and the modern county boundary passes within a few metres.

The oldest lichen in England (allegedly) can be seen on one stone, dated by its size to about 800AD

Nearby were some life-sized straw figures dancing in a circle. Our initial interpretation was that they represented the witch and her coven who had reputedly turned the king and his men to stone, but David Shirt assured us that they were the fairies in a Midsummer Night’s Dream. How easy it is to put sinister meanings on things!

Wilting in the heat (those witches were turning us into marshmallows) our hardier members crossed the road from Oxfordshire to Warwickshire and advanced another millennium to 1,800BC into the bronze age to examine the King Stone. Originally a straight standing stone it has been mutilated into a sinuous “S” shape by 18^th and 19^th century Welsh cattle drovers (and no doubt others) chipping off souvenirs or good luck tokens as they passed by on the ridgeway. The fateful bank which obscures the view of Long Compton, thought for many years to be a long barrow, is actually natural, although archaeologists have discovered bronze age burial evidence from an adjacent flattened round barrow. The view from the bank is panoramic, and the King Stone and the contemporary barrow sit at nearly the highest point of the ridge. We don’t know what such standing stones signified, other than obviously being striking points in the landscape. Isolated Saxon burials nearby may be another mark of how significant this place has been considered through the ages. A concrete cold war bunker is the 20^th century’s contribution to the landscape

The three megalithic monuments span two millenia, and represent profound changes in economics, society and ritual but are all inter-visible, or they would be if it weren’t for the modern trees. Each successive society has found a way to incorporate the previous age’s ritual landscape into their own world, probably with no greater understanding of their original significance than our own faint inklings. The Rollright Trust, which receives no government support, is dedicated to ensuring that these monuments remain for future generations to enjoy and understand in their own ways, as we do in ours. David Shirt gave us the best informal but well-informed account of the stones and how we interpret them today.

Apart from a few determined picnicking members (well done), the survivors adjourned to Wyatts Farm Shop for refreshments and relief from the relentless heat.

Other Societies’ matters.

The London & North Western Railway Society, based in Kenilworth, has sent out an appeal to members of other societies who may have an interest in the L&NWR. They would like to hear from anybody with genealogical enquiries, archives, or information related to the railway company, as they have an extensive archive in Kenilworth. They offer to scan relevant documents up to 42 inches, free of charge, in return for a copy of the scanned material, the original, and copyright remaining with the owner. They are also planning training for conservation of archive materials. If this is of interest to you their web site can be found at: www.lnwrs.org.uk/

Other Local Heritage Events.

Kenilworth, the Abbey “Barn” museum is open each Sunday and bank Holiday Monday 2.30-4.30. Entrance free.

Several of our members are participating in the project to transcribe Warwickshire Parish Civil War loss accounts. We hope to hear the results in the future.

Committee Matters.

There has been no committee meeting since the last newsletter.

The keen-eyed among you spotted the deliberate mistake in the last Newsletter, the next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 10^th September 2018, not August

DF 4.08. 2018

NEWSLETTER 11^th July 2018

Forthcoming K&DLHG event. On Friday July 20th we are trying something new for this outing, with a lunchtime picnic and guided tour of the Rollright Stones. Meet at the Stones layby at 12.00 noon. Our guide will be David Shirt, Chairman of the Trustees of the Rollright Stones. No refreshments are provided, but you may like to bring a picnic, or Wyatts Farm Shop and café is about a mile or so away. The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Our final summer outing is the all-day coach trip to the historic Bristol Docks and SS Great Britain on Saturday August 11^th. The coach leaves from outside St Peter’s Church, Kineton, at 8.45am. The very extensive historic Bristol Docks area has been completely refurbished, and now houses museums, historic boats, restaurants, bars, art galleries and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The cost, including entrance to the SS Gt Britain, is only £28.00 per person. We need to fill our coach so if you know of non-members who would be interested in coming on this trip please spread the word. You can still sign up to the Bristol trip by phoning Isobel (01926 640426) or Ilona (01295 670675) or by replying to this email (frekedj@globalnet.co.uk).

Report on the 22^nd June village walk around Long Itchington. On a very pleasant warm evening 27 members assembled near the church in Long Itchington.

We moved off to encounter what seemed to be a disappointment at the locked church (of which more later), and then walked on to see the large and striking timber-framed house that everybody sees from the Southam road. We learned that it was once a coaching inn, and we thought we could see the filled-in archway to the yard behind, now occupied by a later bay window. The ostentatious timbering at the front is not carried on around the not-so-visible side away from the village green. It later belonged to the Sitwell family but was not their primary residence.

The village pond (“the Pit”) occupies the site of an old brick pit, and is now a well-cared for and environmentally friendly home for ducks. Sauntering on we saw at least two Vicarages, the Old Police House and the Buck and Bell pub before diving down a narrow “Jitty”, past the detached portion of the cemetery, to emerge in a new development on the site of the British Legion’s Galanos House.

We wandered back toward the village centre, passing the Co-op (the third incarnation on the same site), the Green Man pub, several fine timber-framed cottages, and the Old School. Behind the church is the Manor Farm where our guide was brought up. It was our last scheduled stop but as we arrived back at the church we noticed activity around the previously locked church door, and we gate-crashed the helpers setting up for the next Sunday’s “Messy Church” service. The helpers were surprised but most welcoming, and some chairs were soon occupied by some of our party. The church is large and very light and airy, and the medieval masons had thoughtfully provided two watchers at a trip hazard they’d made.

Medieval CCTV?                    The imposing tower, minus its steeple

Among the memorials was one surmounted by sword and a military bearskin hat, sculpted accurately enough for David Beaumont to date it. Your Chairman took the opportunity to skip lightly round the churchyard where amidst the 19^th and 20^th century memorials are a handful of early 18^th century headstones, carved in the baroque style we are familiar with from our Kineton examples.

Many thanks to Long Itchington History Society and Dave Williams for a delightful and very relaxed evening, giving ample time for us to savour the atmosphere of the village, and catch up on news and gossip.

Other Society’s matters.

The London & North Western Railway Society, based in Kenilworth, has sent out an appeal to members of other societies who may have an interest in the L&NWR. They would like to hear from anybody with genealogical enquiries, archives, or information related to the railway company, as they have an extensive archive in Kenilworth. They offer to scan relevant documents up to 42 inches, free of charge, in return for a copy of the scanned material, the original, and copyright remaining with the owner. They are also planning training for conservation of archive materials. If this is of interest to you their web site can be found at: www.lnwrs.org.uk/

Other Local Heritage Events.

Market Hall Museum Warwick is running a series of events in July focussing on recent archaeological discoveries:

Monday 23^rd July: New discoveries using LIDAR: hillforts, barrows, medieval villages and more. Bryn Gethin, 7.00 – 9.00pm £7.50

Thursday 26^th July: Roman rural settlement at Shipston on Stour. Ed Pearson, 7.00-9.00pm £7.50

Thursday 31^st July Warwick’s Roman Villa, recently discovered. Caroline Rann and Eri Kleisoura. 7.00-9.00pm £7.50

Kenilworth, the Abbey “Barn” museum is open each Sunday and bank Holiday Monday 2.30-4.30. Entrance free.

Committee Matters.

The committee had an extra meeting on 2^nd July to discuss the 2019-2020 programme. A provisional list was compiled, with actions for committee members required to approach potential speakers and research possible venues for outings.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 10^th August 2018.

DF 13.07. 2018

NEWSLETTER 14^th June 2018

Forthcoming K&DLHG event. Friday June 22^nd; guided village walk around Long Itchington. Meet at 6.30 in The Square, Long Itchington, CV47 9PE. Our guide will be Dave Williams, Chairman of the Long Itchington History Group. No refreshments are provided, but the Harvester Pub, which serves tea and coffee, is recommended. The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Our second summer Outing on Friday 20^th July is a departure for the Group as it a lunchtime guided tour of the Rollright Stones, when we will have a picnic (weather permitting as always!). Meet at the Stones’at 12.00 noon. If the weather is fine bring a picnic, otherwise Wyatts Farm Shop with refreshments is only about a mile away. Our guide will be David Shirt, who has a long association with eh stones and their conservation, as a founder and trustee of the Rollright Stones Trust. The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Our final summer outing is the all day coach trip^; to the historic Bristol Docks and SS Great Britain on Saturday August 11^th. The coach leaves from outside St Peter’s Church, Kineton, at 8.45am. The very extensive historic Bristol Docks area has been completely refurbished, and now houses museums, historic boats, restaurants, bars, art galleries and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The cost, including entrance to the SS Gt Britain, is only £28.00 per person. We need to fill our coach so if you know of non-members who would be interested in coming on this trip please spread the word.

You can still sign up to the July and/or August outings by phoning Isobel (01926 640426) or Ilona (01295 670675) or by replying to this email (frekedj@globalnet.co.uk).

Report on the 17^th May talk by Sheila Woolf : “Cordelia Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey, 1914-1919, a strange time” . Sheila Woolf, Chairman of the Stoneleigh History Society, has undertaken extensive research into the history of Stoneleigh Abbey and its occupants. In the course of examining the Abbey archives she came across Cordelia Leigh’s diary kept from 1914 to 1919, which consciously set out to record the effects of the war on herself and the Stoneleigh village community. Cordelia was the youngest daughter of Lord leigh, and like her father she took seriously the philanthropic role of the landed gentry at the time. She proved particularly active in the support of young people from the village, introducing them to an appreciation of nature and a steadfast belief in the Church. This support, as shown in the diary, extended to the local young men when called up to fight. Sheila Woolf showed how Cordelia’s activities included organising entertainments for wounded soldiers and supporting the families of Belgian refugees sent to the area. Sheila, with Chris Holland, has published the diary with a commentary, and as her talk showed, it is an extraordinary tale of one individual’s response to the “strange times” she was living through. A remarkable woman, she moved to Leamington, and was a familiar character riding her tricycle around the town until her death in 1956 aged 89. Ruth Morgan led our vote of thanks for an illuminating introduction to an inspiring local figure, about whom few of us had previously been aware.

Other Society’s matters.

The London & North Western Railway Society, based in Kenilworth ,has sent out an appeal to members of other societies who may have an interest in the L&NWR. They would like to hear from anybody with genealogical enquiries, archives, or information related to the railway company, as they have an extensive archive in Kenilworth. They offer to scan relevant documents up to 42 inches, free of charge, in return for a copy of the scanned material, the original, and copyright remaining with the owner. They are also planning training for conservation of archive materials. If this is of interest to you their web site can be found at: www.lnwrs.org.uk/

Other Local Heritage Events.

Market Hall Museum Warwick is running a series of events in July focussing on recent archaeological discoveries:

Monday 23^rd July: New discoveries using LIDAR: hillforts, barrows, medieval villages and more. Bryn Gethin, 7.00 – 9.00pm £7.50

Thursday 26^th July: Roman rural settlement at Shipston on Stour. Ed Pearson, 7.00-9.00pm £7.50

Thursday 31^st July Warwick’s Roman Villa, recently discovered. Caroline Rann and Eri Kleisoura. 7.00-9.00pm £7.50

Kenilworth, the Abbey “Barn” museum is open each Sunday and bank Holiday Monday 2.30-4.30. Entrance free.

Committee Matters.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 2nd July 2018. The only agenda item is the speakers and outings for 2019-20. Could Committee Members come prepared with some ideas, and members who have heard, or know of, a speaker who may be of interest to the Group please let a committee member know so that we can consider them.

NEWSLETTER 11^th May 2018

Many thanks to you if you have already let us know that you are happy for us to continue to hold your contact details. If you haven’t yet replied please agree to us holding your data, or we will have to erase the information that enables us to contact you.

If you receive this newsletter by email you only need to reply with your name and a positive Yes to the request for your agreement at the end of this Newsletter. If you receive this Newsletter by post please enter Yes, with your name, then cut off the form and return it in the stamped addressed envelope. If there are two members at the same address both will need to opt-in.

Forthcoming K&DLHG meeting.

On Friday May 18^th Sheila Woolf is telling the story of Cordelia Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey between 1914 and 1918 from Cordelia’s own diary.

Mary Cordelia Leigh, who lived at Stoneleigh Abbey, started a diary when WWI began and noted the effects on her community, as well as documenting her own contributions to the war effort. These included hospitality, entertainment for wounded soldiers and looking after Belgian refugees. Sheila Woolf has made a study of the diary, which describes “a strange time”

Stoneleigh Abbey                             Mary Cordelia Leigh

I hope you can come on Friday to hear this authentic voice from a hundred years ago.

REPORT on 20^th April talk by Angie Bolton, Regional Finds Liaison Officer for Portable Antiquities Scheme in Worcestershire and Warwickshire. told us about the achievements of the PAS in our region. Her talk was entitled “The Portable Antiquities Scheme: 20 years of Treasure”. She took us through the contribution to understanding the past which the PAS has made by recording (mainly) metal detectorists’ finds over the last 20 years in our region. Although not made of metal, the earliest finds take us back to the stone age and the most recent include post medieval century material. Angie showed us penannular rings and axes from the bronze age, a complete decorated Iron Age curry comb, and medieval rings, coins and horse decorations, but the most prolific period is Roman – Angie assured us that every field in the area contains Roman material, and the efforts of some of our own members bear that out. A Roman knife handle from Darlington proves that the Romans wore socks with their sandals! She showed us a rare Viking period stirrup found near Butlers Marston. It is regrettable that such a valuable service is, every year, apparently at risk from cost cutting. David Beaumont, a keen metal detectorist responsible for many of the dots on Angie’s distribution maps, gave a fulsome vote of thanks for a eye-opening glimpse of some of the 30,000 finds from Warwickshire.

A reminder of the K&DLHG Outings in 2018.

Friday June 22^nd; guided village walk around Long Itchington. Meet at 6.30 in The Square, Long Itchington, CV47 9PE. No refreshments are provided, but the Harvester Pub, which serves tea and coffee, is recommended. The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Friday July 20^th;. Guided tour of the Rollright Stones. Meet at the Stones’ car park at 12.00 noon. If the weather is fine bring a picnic, otherwise Wyatts Farm Shop with refreshments is only about a mile away. The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Saturday August 11^th; day coach trip to Bristol Docks and SS Great Britain. Meet outside St Peter’s Church Kineton, 8.30am. The very extensive historic Bristol Dock area has been completely refurbished, and now houses museums, historic boats, restaurants, bars, art galleries and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The cost, including entrance to the SS Gt Britain, is £28.00 per person. We need to fill our coach so if you know of non-members who would be interested in coming on this trip please spread the word.

There is now only this Friday’s talk at which we can sell tickets before the summer visits, so if you wish to go on any of the outings please look in your diaries and sign up this Friday. You can also sign up by phoning Isobel (01926 640426) or Ilona (01295 670675) or by replying to this email (frekedj@globalnet.co.uk).

Other Local Heritage Events.

Kenilworth, the Abbey “Barn” museum is open each Sunday and bank Holiday Monday 2.30-4.30. Entrance free.

Committee Matters. There have been no committee meetings since the last Newsletter.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 2nd July 2018 .

Data protection reminder.

In case you have not replied to the earlier request, please type as indicated YES below and return the email, or simply reply YES to this email, or if you have received it by post, cut off the slip below and return it in the enclosed stamped addressed envelope

DF 10.05.2018

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The addresses, phone numbers and emails of members (and also some friends who wish to be kept informed) are held by the Group on computer and paper files, so that we can contact you with news, meetings information, updates and other matters connected with the Group’s activities.   On the 25^th May this year the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulations will come into force, and amongst other things this requires that you “opt in” and positively agree to us collecting and holding this information (data) about you.   We have to provide you with a statement of how we collect your details, how we use them, how we store them, and who in the Group controls your data.   You have to actively agree to us holding your data, and we have to record that agreement, or we will have to erase the information that enables us to contact you.

This is our policy regarding your personal details:

On joining the Kineton and District Local History Group new members and existing members are asked to provide or update their contact details so that we can keep them fully informed of our activities.  We hold your name, address, telephone number, email and current membership status as computer and paper files. Email is our preferred method of contact with members because it is the most cost effective.

These data are held on the basis of our legitimate interest and what we believe members would reasonably expect.  This includes contacting members regarding our meetings, projects, and activities, and informing members about other relevant heritage organisations’ events or activities which may be of interest to them. 

The Hon Treasurer is the Data Controller, and members’ details are only shared with other officers of the Group who need them to communicate about Group matters.  We do not share members’ information outside the KDLHG without their permission.

We ask that members tell the K&DLHG of any changes to their contact details so that our records remain current and accurate.  Members can request to see the data we hold, and can have their data corrected or removed from our list.

When a membership lapses that member’s details will be removed from the current list but may be retained in a membership archive.  Non-members who wish to receive our communications must also positively opt-in. 

If you receive this newsletter by email you only need to reply with your name and a positive Yes to the request for your agreement at the end of this Newsletter.  If you receive this Newsletter by post please enter Yes, with your name, then cut off the form and return it in the stamped addressed envelope.  If there are two members at the same address both will need to opt-in.

Under the new Regulations if we don’t have a positive opt-in from you,or you do nothing, your details will have to be removed from our list and you will no longer receive information from us.

Forthcoming K&DLHG meeting.

On Friday April 20^th  Angie Bolton from the Portable Antiquities Scheme will tell us about the achievements of the PAS in our region.  Her talk is entitled “The Portable Antiquities Scheme: 20 years of Treasure”.

Medieval gold half angel of Richard III from Warwickshire recorded in December 2017

K&DLHG Outings 2018.

Friday June 22^nd; guided village walk around Long Itchington.   Meet at 6.30 in The Square, Long Itchington,  CV47 9PE.  No refreshments are provided, but the Harvester Pub, which serves tea and coffee, is recommended.  The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Friday July 20^th;.  Guided tour of the Rollright Stones.  Meet at the Stones’ car park at 12.00 noon.  If the weather is fine bring a picnic, otherwise Wyatts Farm Shop with refreshments is only about a mile away.   The tour charge is £2.50 per person.

Saturday August 11^th;  day coach trip to Bristol Docks and SS Great Britain.  Meet outside St Peter’s Church Kineton, 8.30am.  The very extensive historic Bristol Dock area has been completely refurbished, and now houses museums, historic boats, restaurants, bars, art galleries and Brunel’s SS Great Britain.   The cost, including entrance to the SS Gt Britain, is £28.00 per person.  We need to fill our coach so if you know of non-members who would be interested in coming on this trip please spread the word.

There are only two evening talks at which we can sell tickets before the summer visits, so if you wish to go on any of the outings please look in your diaries and sign up this Friday or at our May meeting.  You can also sign up by phoning Isobel (01926 640426) or Ilona (01295 670675) or by replying to this email (frekedj@globalnet.co.uk).

Report: the 30th AGM and Supper 16^th March 2018

David Beaumont and Phil Harding

The excellent supper was provided by Isobel Gill and her helpers.  Following the supper Ilona Sekacz showed the short Snapshot presentation first seen 10 years ago, part of the month-long recording of the village in 2008.  With its evocative sound track it underlined how much had changed even in ten years,  and also the value of recording unconsidered trifles, taken for granted at the time but which have such power to recall past times.  Then we had a short quiz, based on the photos taken by villagers as part of the Snapshot.  Compiled by your Chairman, it was in retrospect little unfair on the “and District” members of the Kineton and District Local History Group, who were perhaps less familiar with the hidden corners of the village.   We will try to redress the balance on another occasion.

Other Local Heritage Events.

Lighthorne:  Friday 1th May, The Stained Glass in St Lawrence’s Church, Lighthorne, by Maggie Atkins and Colin Such.  7.30pm

Kenilworth, the Abbey “Barn” museum is open each Sunday and bank Holiday Monday 2.30-4.30.  Entrance free.

Committee Matters.  Monday 9^th April notes. 

Finances: Membership numbers are up and there has been a healthy number of visitors.  Richard will be pleased to receive subscriptions from any members in arrears at the next meeting.

Archives: Our President Bob Bearman contributed to the continuing discussion about our archives and pinpointed some areas where members could assist in making the wealth of information in Peter and Gill Ashley-Smith’s archive more accessible.  Bob Bearman, with Gill, is currently identifying which of Peter’s archives should be lodged with the WRO, and this will produce some material which needs to be scanned for retention in the village before it goes to the WRO.  Roger Gaunt has agreed to undertake this as the material becomes available.  Bob is willing to edit and compile Peter’s many occasional articles in the local press and elsewhere to produce a publication reflecting his contribution to local knowledge.  Steven Gill will look at the issue of converting Peter’s numerous Word files into PDFs,  which are more secure, with a view to making selections available on our website.  Your chairman, as the Group’s representative on the Village Hall Committee, continues to support efforts to promote the extension of the Village Hall, to include an element which could house our archives.

Outings 2018.  The arrangements for the summer outings were finalised, we need to encourage takers for the coach trip to Bristol to avoid a loss.  It was agreed that non-members would be welcome to join us.

Speakers 2019:  An extra committee meeting on July 2^nd will discuss the 2019 programme.  Committee members should come with proposals for speakers.

AGM:  the 2018 AGM was generally a success, although numbers for the supper fell again.  Alternative formats need to be considered, and this will be part of the discussions on 2^nd July.

AOB: Bob described a Warwickshire County Record Office initiative to transcribe the records of the post-Civil War Loss Accounts.  The project is looking for volunteers from local history societies to undertake this for their parishes.   David will announce this at the April meeting.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on Monday the 2nd July 2018 .

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NEWSLETTER 13th March 2018

REMINDER : our AGM and supper is on Friday March 16^th (NOT the 17^th as in the Programme Card), and tickets (£12.50) for the supper are still available from Isobel Gill (01926 640426) or Ilona Sekacz (01295 670675) up to Thursday 15^th March. Please note that the (short) AGM business starts at 7.00pm. The business and supper will be followed by a re-run of the Ilona’s short Snapshot presentation compiled 10 years ago, and then a light-hearted picture quiz about the village scenes captured during the Snapshot project.

If you, or any of your friends, would like to nominate yourselves, or them (with their permission!) for the committee, please let a member of the present committee know so that their nomination can be put to the AGM. Nominations will also be accepted at the AGM.

Report on Anne Langley’s talk Friday 16^th February “A Trip Down the River Avon in 1900 Re-visited”

Anne’s illustrated talk was based on a box of glass lantern slides stored in the archives of Rugby library, dating to the early years of the 20^th century. They were dated and had been used by Reverend E N Dew, a Stratford chaplain, presumably to illustrate talks he gave on a trip he undertook from the source of the Avon near Naseby to its confluence with the Severn. The slides in the box only went downstream as far as Warwick, so there is, or was, another lost collection of slides as Part 2 of the the Rev Dew’s talk.

Anne showed the progress of the 1900 trip compared with modern views of the same scenes. This had required considerable fieldwork on her part, tracking down altered or lost buildings. Sometimes the slide image had been reversed in the copying process, making identification doubly difficult. The Rev Dew had recorded many mills, none now operating but some of the mill buildings still survive. It’s a pity the series of slides did not continue as far as Hampton Lucy where there is still a working mill, which the Group visited a few years back. Some building remained but were nuch altered, such as the so-called “Guy Fawkes House” in Dunchurch, where the 1900s cement render has been removed to reveal the timber frame beneath.

Anne had unearthed some contemporary accounts of events in the places recorded along the river, including a case of poisoning by mouldy grain at Clifton on Dunsmore, and an Elizabethan ghost at Holbroke Grange.

Rachel Mander led our vote of thanks for an illuminating evening

Hampton Lucy Mill, K&DLHG visit 2008

Other Local History Society events.

Warwickshire Local History Society: 20^th February. “Old Pubs and Lost Hostelries of Warwickshire” by Richard Churchley at the Friends Meeting House, High Street Warwick 7.30

Lighthorne History Society: Friday 9^th March “Little Known Warwickshire part 2” by Alan Winterburn Lighthorne Village hall 7.30

Leamington History Group: 26^th February “Jane Austen and Stoneleigh Abbey” by Sheila Woolf at the Dormer Centre, Leamington Spa, 7.30.

Committee Matters.

The 1st meeting of the new Committee is Monday 9th April 2018.

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NEWSLETTER 5th February 2018

IMPORTANT NOTE: Thank you to all who came prepared to pay your subscriptions at the January meeting.  Our Treasurer Richard will be on hand at our February meeting to issue programme cards (£10) to anybody who missed that opportunity!   

ALSO:  our AGM and supper is on March 16^th  (NOT the 17^th as in the Programme Card), and tickets (£12.50) for the supper will be available at our February meeting or from Isobel Gill (01926 640426) up to the 12^th March.  Please note that the (short) AGM business starts at 7.00pm.  If you, or any of your friends, would like to nominate yourselves, or them (with their permission!) for the committee, please let a member of the present committee know so that their nomination can be put to the AGM.  Nominations will also be accepted at the AGM.  

Forthcoming talk Friday 16^th February

Our next talk, by Anne Langley, is entitled: “A Trip Down the River Avon in 1900 revisited”.  This is a chance to discover what changes have happened in more than a century to the river itself and the activities along its banks.

Anne Langley is a noted local historian who has spoken to us most recently about Joseph Ashby of Tysoe and  previously about Victorian Village Life.  I hope to see you at the meeting.

Man on a punt at Welford Weir 1900s.

Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire “ website

© Warwickshire County Council

Report: January meeting  talk on “Hanwell Castle and the Jacobean Water Gardens  ” by Stephen Wass.

Those who have heard Stephen before knew that we were going to hear – clearly – a lively and well informed account of the new work he has been undertaking in the designed landscape behind Hanwell Castle.   First he presented a brief history of the castle, really a prestigious late 15^th century country house built of brick, a very early example.  The existing buildings represent a fraction of the original 4-sided courtyard plan.  The Cope family were aristocrats of the second rank, they had another “castle” in Holland Park, London.  During the 17th century Sir Anthony Cope mixed with the elite scientific and cultured minds of Oxford, to the extent that he was nicknamed “the Virtuoso”.  This word had a different emphasis then, it referred to elite men (always men) of  taste and refinement, skill and connoisseurship, not just musical excellence.  The Oxford intellectual circle included natural philosophers (scientists) and antiquarians, and indeed a virtuoso in the modern sense of the word – a Dutch violinist called Thomas Balthzar, who stayed at Hanwell for several years after stunning audiences in London and Oxford.   Stephen’s documentary researches suggest that the 20 or so acres of the enclosed Hanwell garden were transformed into a water garden, with linked ponds, sluices, and playful water features, embodying the ideas of the Oxford group.  He has spent several years as part of his MPhil expertly excavating and recording some key sites within the overgrown landscape, with a loyal and hard-working community volunteer force, to try to uncover the layout and function of the various features.  So far some crucial elements have eluded the research, but given the extent of the features, revealed in Lidar surveys, there is plenty still to explore.  Although the Copes kept Hanwell Castle intact through the Civil Wars it was abandoned in the 1670s, and left to become derelict. This means that it escaped the attentions of Capability Brown and so is potentially a rare survival of a pre-Brownian designed landscape.  As an aside Stephen gave vent to a little rant about Brown, pointing out that he was probably responsible for the loss of virtually all English baroque gardens, such as those which survive on the continent.  A debateable point.

Stephen challenged the audience to explain the function of a stone-lined tank on the island in the top pond.  He, like us, is still puzzled.  The Chairman gave a vote of thanks, endorsing Stephen’s comment that if he gave a talk on this subject in a few years time he would almost certainly present different issues and conclusions.  History is made by research and enquiry, and, as such, changes all the time..

Other Local History Society events.

Council for British Archaeology West Midlands: Saturday 17^th February, “News from the Past” presentations by local archaeologists about recent work in the region, including the excavations at Warmington. 10.00am – 4.00pm Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham B4 7SX website http://cbawm.archaeologyuk.org

Warwickshire Local History Society: 20^th February.  “Old Pubs and Lost Hostelries of Warwickshire” by Richard Churchley at the Friends Meeting House, High Street Warwick 7.30

Lighthorne History Society:   Friday 9^th March “Little Known Warwickshire part 2” by Alan Winterburn Lighthorne Village hall 7.30

Leamington History Group:  26^th February “Jane Austen and Stoneleigh Abbey” by Sheila Woolf at the Dormer Centre, Leamington Spa, 7.30.

Committee Matters.  

The next Committee meeting is Monday 12th February 2018. 

Errata.  The sharp-eyed will have spotted at least 2 erroneous dates on the Programme Card.  The first is the AGM which is on the 16^th not the 17^th of March, and the second is the talk by our member Brian Morgan about Morton Morrell Hall which is on Friday 16^th of November not the 18^th.  Mea culpa, sorry.

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NEW YEAR NEWSLETTER 12th^th January 2018

IMPORTANT NOTE: annual subscriptions (£10.00) for 2018 are due in January. Please come prepared to our January 19^th meeting, when programme cards for 2018-19 will be available.

ALSO: our AGM and supper is on March 16^th, and tickets (£12.50) for the supper will be available at our February meeting or from Isobel Gill (01926 640426).

Forthcoming talk Friday 19^th January

Our next talk, by Stephen Wass, is entitled: “Hanwell Castle and the Jacobean Water Gardens”. Those of us who have heard Stephen speak (and perform!) will eagerly anticipate his no doubt enthusiastic and informative presentation of the results of his several years of investigations into the landscape in the valley behind Hanwell Castle. I hope to see you all at 7.30 at the Village Hall to enjoy Stephen’s presentation.

Report: Christmas meeting talk on “Folklore and Folksong ” by Richard Churchley

Richard Churchley informed and entertained us effortlessly through his presentation of Warwickshire and Worcestershire folklore and song. He brought along, and played, a varied collection of musical instruments – accordion, cittern and guitar – but he also plays the harmonica, the banjo and keyboards, and belongs to a number of groups performing a wide variety of folk styles. His relaxed familiarity with the region’s traditional music persuaded even our members to join in the choruses of some songs. He pointed out that some of the songs from “The National Song Book” -familiar to those of a certain age – were collected in the region by Cecil Sharp and his colleagues. One of the earliest ever voice recordings is that of an Ilmington labourer in 1899 on a wax cylinder. Richard sang a Wootton Wawen folk song “The Bitter Withy Carol” which explained why the willow tree was considered unlucky. It recounted how Mary had beaten the child Jesus with a willow stick after some naughtiness

The origin of some surviving folklore and songs can be traced to the mumming and mystery plays of the medieval towns and their guilds. In Coventry of course we have the Coventry Mystery Plays, source of the Coventry Carol. Richard explained that originally carols were not necessarily connected with Christmas. During questions Richard explained that the origin of the name “Morris” dancing was probably a corruption of “Moorish”, ie exotic, in keeping with the alien elements in many of the mumming plays – the Turk etc. We learned that there are clear regional differences in the costumes and performances of Morris groups., and how Jesus then, allegedly, cursed the willow.

Members raised the issue facing some modern Morris groups – how to accommodate the tradition of “blacking up” in some regions, which might give offence? Those of us who went to Ludlow last June saw a Morris group there who wore black masks, as well as the brightly coloured ribbons of their regional costume.

Ilona led our vote of thanks for an enjoyable and educational evening, before serving her traditional mulled wine, and the mince pies provided by the Committee.

Other Local History Society events.

Marton Local History Group. 29^th January, “Marton Vicars Part 2”, Group Members, Village Hall, 7.30

Warmington Heritage Group, 15^th February, “The Pont du Gard” by Andrew Baxter, Village hall, 7.30

Council for British Archaeology West Midlands: Saturday 17^th February, “News from the Past” presentations by local archaeologists about recent work in the region, including the excavations at Warmington. 10.00am – 4.00pm Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham B4 7SX website http://cbawm.archaeologyuk.org

Leamington History Group. 26^th February “Jane Austen and Stoneleigh Abbey” by Sheila Woolf at the Dormer Centre, Leamington Spa, 7.30.

Committee Matters.

The next Committee meeting is Monday 12th February 2018.

With our AGM due in March it’s timely to remind members that the committee is keen to recruit new representatives to its ranks. If you would like become more involved in running of the group or know someone who could be helpful in that role, please talk to a committee member, and consider putting your name forward at the AGM.

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    CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER10^th December 2017

Forthcoming K&DLHG event.

On Friday December 15^th our Christmas talk is by Dr Richard Churchley entitled: “ Folklore and Folksong of Warwickshire and Worcestershire”. Richard is an accomplished musician as well as an experienced local historian, with an interest in vernacular buildings, family history, and the working man’s and woman’s experiences in the West Midlands. I hope to see you all at 7.30 at the Village Hall to enjoy Richards presentation followed by mince pies (provided by the committee) and mulled wine (prepared by Ilona) and/or soft drinks.

. Dr Richard Churchley at an Open University History Society “talk” at Redditch

Report: the 17^th November evening talk on “A Year in the Life of Avon Dassett 1914-15” by Sarah Richardson

In this fascinating talk Sarah Richardson gave local colour to the international events at the outbreak of World War in 1914, concentrating on the impact on village life and families. It was based on research carried out by the Avon Dassett Local History Group to mark the centenary of the outbreak, chronicling the day-by-day occurrences in and around this small community. Surprisingly there were only three war fatalities from the village, although the first village death was Lieutenant Holbeach, of Farnborough Hall, at the 1^st Battle of Ypres in November 1914. Many local able-bodied men were in agriculture, a reserved occupation. We heard from Private Tap’s diary entries describing the Christmas truce, during which he exchanged cap badges, buttons and cigars with Germans from the opposing trenches.

A wider history of Avon Dassett

produced by the ADLHG

The strong class divisions at the time were exposed in some strange decisions, like the token reduction of hunting from 5 days a week to 4, but a complete ban on football! Using newspaper articles, diaries, adverts, and official documents Sarah showed how many aspects of village life remained the same – pigs loose on the road, a fire at the canal wharf, sewage found in a well, theft of wood, no rear light on a vehicle, and a telephone betting scam, being some examples, At the same time there were moves to support the war effort through appeals for horses, woollen pants, etc, and a rise in agricultural wages. There were classes in woodwork and veterinary practice at Warmington. The local militia initially were armed with pitchforks. All this in the context of poverty and squalor for some village families, a situation unchanged by the fact of war.

During the project in 2014-15 the group produced a weekly blog, and a regular printed newsletter of the daily events of 100 years earlier, all made financially possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This material is now archived at the WCRO, but it was a disappointment to some of our members that it is no longer available online.

Gill Ashley-Smith gave our thanks, with admiration for the detailed work put in by the Avon Dassett group and emphasising the value of such local research, and how other groups could learn from the Avon Dassett experience.

Other Local History Society events.

Many local groups are having their Christmas celebrations this month but Banbury Historical Society is hosting a talk on Wychford Forest and Cornbury by Dr Simon Townley on Thursday 14^th December, at the Museum. The Museum itself is running The Ironstone Art Prize, open to artists living within 20 miles of Banbury. Entries can be in any media but must be submitted on the 24^th January 2018. For details go to the Museum’s website: www.banburymuseum.org/ironstone2018/

Committee Matters. Monday 6^th November notes.

Finances: outgoings have exceeded income, but this is mainly because several expensive pieces of necessary equipment (up-to-date projector, and PA system) have been purchased. Membership numbers are up and there has been a healthy number of visitors.

The committee confirmed that the membership year will continue to start in January, and the AGM will remain in March. The 2018-19 programme card will be available to members at the January meeting. The list of committee members traditionally occupying the back of the card will be reduced to the Chairman and Secretary as at 2017-18 with their contact details.

The discussion about our archives identified some areas where members could assist in making the wealth of information in Peter and Gill Ashley-Smith’s archive more accessible, principally through cataloguing the contents of the files. The WRO’s format for would be adopted so that the records would be compatible with their standards. Gill has kindly made some of Peter’s digital records available to David Beaumont and to your chairman. Our President Bob Bearman has assisted in identifying which of Peter’s archives should be lodged with the WRO. Your chairman is the Group’s representative on the Village Hall Committee, and, at that committee’s November meeting, endorsed the VHC desire to extend the Village Hall, to include an element which could house our archives.

The next KDLHG Committee Meeting is on the 12^th February 2018 .

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