A partnership established to record, promote and protect the heritage of West Berkshire
Date: Monday, 14 October 2024 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Organiser: Thatcham Historical Society
Join local Hungerford historian Dr Hugh Pihlens for a talk on the Roman villa excavated at Littlecote, just on the Berkshire/Hampshire border.
Talks are free to members, £3 to non-members (cash on the door). Refreshments are served at the start of the meeting. Talks start at 7.30pm, access from 7.00pm. The room is on the first foor of the block, and there is lift access - contact susancarveth@gmx.com to ask about this.
Date: Wednesday, 16 October 2024 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Organiser: West Berkshire Museum
This talk by Daniel Bashford will look at evidence for the use of the Ridgeway and evolution of the surrounding landscape over time. It will examine the evidence such as earthworks, artefacts and below ground archaeology. It will cover the people who used and lived on the Ridgeway and how they interacted with it. It will also discuss how those monuments are managed and interpreted today, and how we might engage people with them.
Date: Wednesday, 16 October 2024 - 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Organiser: West Berkshire Museum
Sue Ellis looks at a selection of items in West Berkshire Museum, asking the question "Why have Museums" and exploring this question through the atefacts chosen, looking at what they tell us about history, about ourselves, and about the culture and society in which we live.
This talk complements the Volunteers Choice exhibition.
Sue Ellis is a local historian, a volunteer at the Museum, and on the committee of Thatcham Historical Society and West Berkshire Heritage Forum.
Date: Wednesday, 16 October 2024 - 7:15pm
Organiser: Boxford History Project
Boxford History Project hosts a talk by Gill Campbell from Historic England. This follows on from the find in Boxford of worked bog oak dated to the Mesolithic period, the earliest piece of worked timber found so far in the UK.
Visitors are welcome. There is no charge but a donation would be welcome to help defray costs.
Date: Monday, 21 October 2024 - 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Organiser: Newbury District Field Club (NDFC)
A brief AGM will be followed by Karen Sperry's illustrated talk on restoring her 17th century cottage.
Free to members, £3 non-members.
For more information visit the website: https://ndfc.org.uk/
Date: Friday, 25 October 2024 - 10:30am
Organiser:
Join National Trust archaeologist James Brown at Ankerwycke this October for a guided walk around the site, sharing the most recent excavation findings and insight as well as the wider story.
Date: Friday, 25 October 2024 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Organiser: West Berkshire Museum
Commemorate the 380th anniversary of the Second Battle of Newbury at Shaw House, which became an integral part of the Royalists' defensive position during the battle on 27th October 1644.
Bringing history to life, Dr Christopher Scott will explore the campaign and battle that saw the Royalist army defending northern Newbury against the combined forces of Essex, Waller and Manchester. And where the Civil War could so easily have been brought to a dramatic end by the capture of the King.
Date: Monday, 4 November 2024 - 7:00pm
Organiser: Bradfield Historical Society
Dr David Peacock, Newbury's local historian, talks about the history of the river which runs through West Berkshire, the River Kennet. The river starts at Silbury Hill in Wiltshire and meets the Thames in Reading, and for over half its length it flows through Berkshire.
Doors open at 7pm, with the talk starting at 7.30pm. There is no fee for entry but a donation of £4 is appreciated. More information on the event can be found on the website: https://bradfieldhistoricalsociety.org/?p=437
Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Organiser: Aldermaston History Group
AGM followed by talk by Dr Phil Smithers, Finds Liaison Officer for West Berkshire Council, on "The Portable Antiquities Scheme".
Meetings start at 7.30pm, entry from 7.00pm. Membership is £20. Memberships for 2024-25 are now due (September).
Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2024 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Organiser: Stockcross and Surroundings History Association S&SHA
Local historian, Dr Nick Young, will look at Newbury around the World.
Members free, Visitors £5.
For more information see the website: https://www.stockcrosshistory.org.uk/