Report on monthly talk on Friday 11th December 2015
At their Christmas meeting members of the Kineton and District Local History Group were hugely entertained by Richard and Elizabeth York, singing, story telling and playing a spectacular variety of ancient musical instruments designed to “Drive the Cold Winter Away”.
Richard and Elizabeth turned up an hour early in order to unpack about a score of instruments and tune some 200 strings. Their versatility was impressive, with 4 harps ranging from two large sit-down-to-play ones to an exquisite gem made in the Isle of Skye using only three pieces of wood and no nails or glue. We also heard a Spanish guitar no bigger than a ukelele, bag pipes with drones as tall as a man, drums, pipes with only three holes, an early type of bassoon that could sound vaguely rude, two hurdy-gurdys and a concertina. The Yorks touched on the Islamic background to some medieval music, particularly the suggestion that the hurdy gurdy developed from experiments investigating the music of the spheres. The tunes ranged from the 13th to the 18th century, from England and Europe, including some familiar ones. We learned that it wasn’t until the 16th century that Christmas carols were actually sung in church; the first was “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”. Elizabeth sang a gentle lullaby in early English about Mary retelling the story of the Annunciation to Jesus, but other songs were lively dance tunes and carols.
Richard gave us several medieval tales embroidering the Christmas story, usually with a clear moral message. The escape into Egypt was the setting for a cautionary tale to show how the rose bush got its thorns, the clove bush its smell and the sage bush its culinary and medicinal properties.
The evening was a delight; the rapport between Richard and Elizabeth and their enthusiasm for their subject was communicated to an appreciative audience, who even hummed along to some of the more well known tunes. After the Yorks had answered penetrating questions from the members, David Freke gave the vote of thanks, before the meeting fell on the traditional Christmas mulled wine and mince pies served by Ilona Sekacz and Jackie and Mark Walker.
On Friday 15th January our President Bob Bearman OBE will give our next talk, entitled “Stratford-upon-Avon’s Historic Spine” . Members and visitors are welcome at the Kineton Village Hall at 7.30.
DF 13.12.2015

PRESS RELEASE 14.04.08
KINETON AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY GROUP NEWS

Bring Out Your Bygones Day

On Saturday 12th April the Kineton & District Local History Group hosted “Bring Out Your Bygones” in Kineton Village Hall. Maggie Wood and Jon Radley from Warwickshire Museum, and Angie Bolton from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, specializing in domestic, geological and archaeological objects were on hand to identify and discuss the bygones. The people of Kineton and district brought along about 100 objects to find out more about them and their historical significance.

Angie Bolton identified a fine prehistoric flint arrowhead brought in from Wellesbourne by Bill Chedham, and reviewed considerable collections of Roman and later material collected from fields around Tysoe and Kineton by Kevin Wyles and David Beaumont. Charles De’Ath brought in a mixed collection of geological and archaeological material. This included a fine Iron Age pot and Roman sherds. Maggie Wood identified a fine 19th century lace pillow cover, a christening gown dated to 1880, a wooden flour container, as well as a bewildering variety of historic and exotic material. Jon Radley recognised a fine 200 million year old Jurassic fish (ichthyosaurus) backbone the size of a saucer from Kineton brought in by Bob Crockett, and a trilobite in the Charles De’Ath collection.

The more exotic objects brought in included two pen-and-ink holders used by middle eastern scribes, a WWI German Iron Cross complete with ribbon, a chatelaine for keys and a perfume flask probably from the Balkans, a couple of elegant pre-war cigarette holders, and a stone with WWII graffiti from German POWs held at Ettington Camp. These reveal the links between Kineton people and wider historic events, as soldiers and travellers returned to the village bringing souvenirs.

Some objects would repay further study, such as some of the paintings, and the experts referred the owners to sources of specialist information. The purpose of some other objects beat the experts and remained mysteries, such as this wooden, 60 centimetre long, slotted paddle-like implement. Do you know what it is for? [PICTURE ATTACHED].

The day was a great success, as the people of Kineton discovered what their bygones were, and the experts filled in a little more of the history of the village.

This was the second event of the Group’s 21st Anniversary Year, and the next will be the Kineton Snapshot in June and July.

For further information please contact
David Freke 07876 290044 or email frekedj@globalnet.co.uk
Angie Bolton on 01905 721130 or abolton@worcester.gov.uk
Maggie Wood on 01926 412021 or maggiewood@warwickshire.gov.uk
Jon Radley on 01926 418182 or jonradley@warwickshire.gov.uk

Click on the image to view the Southam Heritage Collection Spring/Summer newsletter.

On Wednesday 25 June 2014 the House of Lords was taking ‘note of the programme to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.’ The whole debate takes up 35 pages of Hansard and makes very interesting reading. Below is Baronness Seccombe’s contribution relating to Kineton.

This message was received on the K&DLHG website this morning (Monday 24 March).  If you feel you can help Martin Kenny with information of any sort, please get in touch with him direct.

 As a hobby I write a few articles for the Warwickshire Focus on local personalities. I am currently researching Anthony Heniker Gotley who played in the first British Lions rugby tour and played a few times for England. According to records he was born in Tysoe and he father was a local vicar.

 On Saturday afternoon I called into St Mary’s Church at Tysoe but there is no record of him there. After tea and chocolate brownies in the village cafe I noticed a building next door that clearly used to be a church with a psalm engraved on the wall and wondered if this would have been Reverend Henniker Gotley’s church?

 Of course he could have been the vicar of a neighbouring parish – any ideas you could provide would be most appreciated.

 Best Regards

Martin Kenny email: <hiddensport@yahoo.co.uk>

My name is Robert Cowley, the eldest son of Lilian and Robert James Cowley, formerly of Dene Close,Kineton.
I was brought up from birth at 3 Bridge Street, and one very interesting memory I have, is the full military funeral of Admiral Sir Walter Cowan in 1956, who is buried in Southam Road cemetery. I was 7 years old at the time, and remember how exciting it was to look out of that little cottage window to see a gun carriage, followed by all those military personnel going up to the cemetery.
My mother used to clean house for the admiral and this has been a memory I have held all these years.
Unfortunately, having tried on numerous occasions, have never been able to find any reports or newspaper cuttings of the event.
We then moved from Bridge Street to Dene Close, and my second memory is, of the horrific V bomber crash at Combroke. I remember the explosion lighting up the night sky to resemble daylight, and my late uncle, Cyril Cowley, peddling furiously up Dene Close, to reach the Fire Station, he was a retained fireman at the time, and was for a long time afterwards. Again, frustratingly, I am unable to find reports or newspaper cuttings for this incident either.
I hope you do not mind me sharing these two memories with you, as they have certainly stayed with me all this time.
Kind Regards, Robert

Below is an exciting message about Warwick’s Market Hall Museum.  During tomorrow evening’s meeting (17 January 2014) KLHG chairman, David Freke, will be encouraging members to cast their individual votes in favour of this project.  Whether or not you will be there, please give careful consideration to helping the Museum in this way.

Peter A-S, K&DLHG secretary

OUTINGS

2013

This year four of your committee members have offered to organise one outing each, and this leaflet gives a brief outline of what is planned. More importantly, it tells you who to contact for further details—no one person will be able to answer all your queries.

Tickets for each outing will be on sale at the meetings in April and May. There is no facility for booking by post, but if you cannot get to the meeting then you can try contacting the organiser by telephone, to find out whether places are available.

Please keep this leaflet for details

Friday 21 June

Baginton

Evening visit by car



The evening will start with a guided tour of the Bagot’s Castle ruin, with time to view the visitor display and have refreshments, before continuing to the parish church of St John the Baptist, Baginton. The castle is privately owned and the ruins have recently been archaeologically investigated and conserved. We will be guided round the site by the resident archaeologist, and there is a display of finds and discoveries at the site. The medieval St John the Baptist parish church is adjacent to the castle, and contains interesting stained glass, monuments and wall paintings. It will be opened specially for our visit.

The site is at the end of Church Road, Baginton, near Coventry. Please arrive at the castle at 6.30pm.

Cost £6.00 per person, for entrance to castle and refreshments (tea and cake).

Organiser: David Freke 01295 670516

mobile 07876290044

email frekedj@globalnet.co.uk

Closing date—Friday 7June

Friday 19 July

Guys Cliffe

Evening visit by car



Guys Cliffe House is a romantic ruin just to the North of Warwick, beside the A429 Coventry Road. It was from here that 14th century Guy of Warwick was reputed to have performed many deeds of derring-do, rescued maidens and slain giants.

The walls you see now were originally built in 1757, with later additions. The house abuts cliffs with caves, many thought to have been in use in Norman times.

Our guide will show us as much of the ruins as is safe, and the 14th century chapel, now home to the Masons. If weather and footwear are fit, it will also be possible to go down to Guy’s cave by the Avon.

Our visit will include tea /coffee and cream scones.

Cost £11.00, includes guides and refreshments. Parking is available on site. Please meet at the car park promptly at 7pm

Organiser Gill Ashley-Smith 01926 640545.

Closing date—Friday 5 July

Saturday 10 August

Henley-on Thames

Day Coach outing



Enjoy a day out at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames. The museum was purpose built in 1999, and is attractively set in meadows on the banks of the Thames, just 10 minutes riverside walk from the centre of Henley. There are 3 main galleries, featuring not only the sport of rowing, but also the local history of Henley and its place on the Thames. There is even a gallery telling the story of The Wind in the Willows, with 3-D models of the characters, theatrical lighting and sound – perfect for the for the young at heart!

The Terrace Cafe serves coffee, lunch, and tea. To give you maximum freedom, no meals will be booked, though your ticket will give you a 10% discount both in the Café and in the shop.

When you have finished exploring the museum, 2 companies, Salters and Hobbs, offer boat trips from just outside, and Henley’s shops are only a short stroll away.

The coach will depart from St Peter’s Church, Kineton at 9.15am, leaving from Henley at 5.00pm to reach Kineton by 7pm.

Cost £21.50 covers coach and museum entry fee, Meals and boat trips at your own expense.

Organiser Ilona Sekacz Tel 01295 670675

Closing date Saturday 3 August, or when all 36 places are taken.

National Memorial Arboretum

Saturday 7 September

Day Outing by minibus/car



The National memorial Arboretum is at Alrewas, Staffordshire.

It will be possible to reserve seats on a minibus (max 15 seats), but some may prefer to use their own car.

However you travel, guide maps and walk leaflets are available on arrival at reception. Please meet at the Memorial Chapel at 10.45am for an introductory talk and a short remembrance service. After that, tickets will be obtained for a Land train tour of site lasting 1 hour, with taped commentary. Lunch can be taken at the reasonably priced self-service restaurant, or bring a picnic and use the picnic tables outside. In the afternoon, wander along the avenues, and enjoy the landscape and arboretum with its specimen trees, shrubs and gardens. The rivers Teme and Trent run through the site. and there is an array of wild life to be seen

To reach the Arboretum

By car, from the A38 Lichfield to Derby Road, take the A513 towards Tamworth and follow brown signs For those with Sat Nav DE13 7AR.

Alternatively there will be a minibus leaving St Peter’s Kineton at 9am, leaving the arboretum for Kineton at 5pm.

Cost£12.50 per person, or £7.50 if using your own transport, to include donation and land train.

Organiser David Beaumont. 01926 641076

Email david@jebeaumont.wanadoo.co.uk