Next meeting.  A reminder that on Friday 20 February 2015 Pat McGarrell and Colin Jennings will be talking about ‘The Rise and Fall of Covent Garden Market, Leamington Spa.’  [ie.  this Covent Garden was behind Tesco’s at the top of The Parade]

Subscriptions.  The Group’s programme card for 2015-16 will be available at the February meeting, when annual subscriptions (still £7-50 per person) will be due. 

AGM and Supper.   This year the AGM will be held on Friday 20 March 2015 at 7.00pm.  Tickets for the Supper that follows the AGM will also be on sale at the February meeting. The ticket price is £10-00 per person and, as I have said before, represents fantastic value and a significant reduction on the price for the previous two years, whilst still maintaining Isobel Gill’s high catering standards.

Anyone unable to attend the February meeting but wishing to purchase a ticket for the Supper, should contact Gill Ashley-Smith, 3 Green Farm End, Kineton, CV35 0LD  tel: 01926-640545 email: ashley@pasgas.plus.com  Payment will be required before the night, so if you wish a ticket as a receipt for payment and are unable to collect in person, please enclose a self-addressed envelope.

Last month’s speaker.  Mairi Macdonald, who showed us ‘A History of Stratford-upon-Avon in Pictures’ at our January meeting, will be on television on Thursday evening, when she helps Michael Wood tell the story of ‘Shakespeare’s Mother – The Secret life of a Tudor Woman’ (BBC4 at 9.00pm).

URGENT

New K&DLHG Secretary required. I have decided that the time has come for me to step down as secretary.  Although I am willing for my name to go forward for re-election at the AGM, this is only to allow time for a new secretary to be found and to have time to settle in to the role.  I have told the committee that I am determined to give up before 30 September 2015, by which time I will be well into my eighteenth year as secretary (having taken over from Neil Willoughby in March 1998).

If you or someone you know would like to find out what taking over as secretary might  involve, please get in touch with me (tel: 01926-640545, email: ashley@pasgas.plus.com) or our chairman, David Freke (tel: 01295-670516 or 07876-290044 email: frekedj@globalnet.co.uk) as soon as possible.

Even if you do not feel that the secretarial work is for you, please give serious thought to joining the committee at the AGM and bringing some fresh ideas to our programme planning.

Website.  Full K&DLHG programme details and other news are available on our website at www.kinetonheritage.co.uk

With best wishes

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

8 February 2015

Next meeting. A reminder that, on Friday 16 January 2015, Mairi MacDonald is coming to tell us about ‘A History of Stratford-upon-Avon in Pictures’ . As usual the meeting will be held in Kineton Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Members will remember Mairi as a frequent and entertaining speaker at our meetings over many years.

AGM Supper. This year the AGM will be held on Friday 20 March 2014 at 7.00pm. Tickets for the Supper that follows the AGM will be on sale at the January meeting and that in February. The ticket price has been held at £11-50.

February meeting.  On Friday 20 February Pat McGarrell and Colin Jennings will be talking about ‘The Rise and Fall of Covent Garden Market, Leamington Spa’. For those of you who might be confused by the name, this Covent Garden was behind Tescos at the top of The Parade.

Subscriptions. The Group’s programme card for 2015-16 will be available at the February meeting, when annual subscriptions (still £7-50 per person) will be due. There will also be a second opportunity to purchase tickets for the Annual Supper

Website. Full K&DLHG programme details and other news are available on our website at www.kinetonheritage.co.uk

With best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year

Peter Ashley-Smith, K&DLHG secretary

6 January 2015

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