Our talk this Friday October 20th is a change from our Programme Card entry

On Friday our topic is A Little History of Coventry by John Miles, who has kindly swapped places with our scheduled speaker Peter Walters who will now visit us in January. Coventry has a long, varied history and many famous personalities, some of whom have passed into legend, such as Lady Godiva. Evidence of settlement in the Roman period, is followed by Saxon occupation and the establishment of a first a nunnery then a priory. Earl Leofric gave part of his land to this monastery and kept part for himself (and his wife Godiva), thus dividing the administration of the city of Coventry for several hundred years.

During this period Coventry became a major centre for the textile industry, and by the 14th century was the fourth largest city in England. It played a significant part in both the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century and the Civil Wars of the 17th. The medieval textile heritage was transformed in the 18th century by the rise of the silk ribbon weaving industry, which employed 25,000 people by the mid-19th century, only to collapse with the importation of cheaper versions. Revival came with clock and watch making, sewing machines, bicycles. motorbikes and, most recently, cars.

To condense this rich heritage into a little history sounds like a stimulating challenge, and we look forward to John Miles’ talk with keen anticipation.

Report on September 15th evening talk. Sir Lawrence Washington, the 16th century builder of Sulgrave Manor, made his entrance magnificently dressed, as befits the Lord of the Manor and Mayor of Northampton. He went on to describe the history of Sulgrave Manor and the Washington Family. His cod piece drew particular attention, but it was, as he explained, a justifiable the expression of the Washington family’s fecundity. At a time when rates of childhood mortality meant that only one in 10 children reached adulthood and death in childbirth was a common fate for women, the Washington genes proved remarkably resilient. He and his wife Elizabeth had 11 children and his son, Lawrence II and his wife Margaret, had 18 children.

Originally from Northumberland, in the 12th century the family name was de Hertburn, but they acquired the name of their home – Wessyngton – which became Washington in the 16th century. Coming south as a fixer for the aristocracy Lawrence Washington built up a thriving textile trading business, helped by his second wife’s fortune. He built the manor in 1540 soon after Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, and her coat of arms, made in plaster, can still be seen on the gable over the porch. The Washington fortunes declined and in 1659 the family emigrated to the American colonies where they became prosperous land owners. A century later George Washington was in the military before the American Revolution propelled him into political activity. The Washington Arms show three spurs (for knighthood) above two stripes (fields) signifying that the title was granted on the field of battle. The arms were the inspiration for the American Union flag. The ancestral manor in Sulgrave also had its downs and ups.

Our speaker, channelling Lawrence Washington, was Martin Sinot-Smith, Managing Director of Sulgrave Manor Historical Lectures and Tours, whose enthusiasm for its heritage was infectious and much appreciated by the group.

Date	Speaker	Title
20 October	John Miles	A Little History of Coventry
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Other Organisations’ Events

Warwickshire Local History Society Primary School Hall, Aylesford School, Tapping Way, Warwick, CV34 6XR at 7.30.
Tuesday 17th October. Mr Gaydon of Brailes and other stories – adventures in local history by Maggie Wood,
Tuesday 21st November. Vulcan’s Temple – the story of Soho Foundry by Andrew Lou
Warmington Heritage Group Village Hall 7.30pm
Thursday 19th October Admiral Cowan- Sailor and Soldier by our own David Beaumont. If you missed this talk at Kineton last year you can catch it again in Warmington!
Lapworth Local History Society Village Hall 7.45pm
Tus 24th October The Gunpowder Plot and its Midland Connections by Allan Jennings
Marton Local History Group Village Hall 7.30pm
Monday 30th October Tales from the Churchyard
Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society Senior Citizens Club 7.30pm
Monday 13th November 60 Years of Change, Working Life at Baddesley Clinton 1923 – 1980
by Jill Kashi
British Association for Local History. The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members. www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.
Don’t forget to check our own website at: Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.
If you would like to become a Member of the group, it is worth considering waiting to join until our 2024 membership year starts in January. The entrance for non-members at our meetings is £3.00 so paying for the each of the three remaining 2023 meetings is a saving! Members renewing in January note that you can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:
Alec Hitchman,
The Hills Farm,
Pillerton Hersey,
WARKS, CV35 0QQ,
With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:
name: Kineton and District Local History Group,
sort code: 40-43-19;
acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.
For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516 mob. 07876 290044 email: djfreke@gmail.com
DF 15.10.23

Our first talk of the autumn session takes place this Friday 15th

Our Friday 15th talk in the Village Hall at 7.30 will be given by Simon Sinot-Smith. He will describe Sulgrave Manor and the Washington Family. The original manor was built by 1540 by Laurence Washington, soon after Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, and her coat of arms, made in plaster, can still be seen on the gable over the porch. The Washington arms (three stars and two stripes – remind you of anything?) are above the door. The Washington fortunes declined and in 1659 the family emigrated to the American colonies where they became prosperous land owners.

A century later George Washington was in the military, before the American Revolution propelled him into political activity The ancestral manor in Sulgrave also had its downs and ups. The west wing (left of the porch) was demolished in the 17th century but was rebuilt in the early 1900s after periods when the manor suffered of near ruin and financial hardship. It is now administered by the Sulgrave manor Trust.

Report on August 17th visit to Broadway. Our group of 14 members was led by Sean Callery, a Blue Guide, familiar from our tour of Chipping Norton last year. He regaled us with tales of artists and actors in the early 20th century as he showed us the houses and converted barns where they lived and amused themselves. The origin of the town’s name is obvious – the old coach road through the town widens to an enormous green. The striking War Memorial on the green was designed by the local arts and crafts architect F. L. Griggs.
The famous American actress Mary Anderson lived on the steep hill out of the town and hosted kings, queens, prime ministers, artists and writers in the early 20th century. She became a major benefactor of the community. On the same hill a milestone bears two inscriptions, the expected chiselled distances to destinations, and a small brass plaque stating the inscription had been erased in 1939 to confuse German invaders and restored in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. A stone at the bottom of the hill has the cryptic message “Shut off two horses here”. This probably relates to the stagecoach period when the steep hill sometimes required passengers to get out and push, and extra horsepower may have been provided at times. Situated at the bottom of the hill it would appear to mark the place where the extra animals were stationed ready for the task. The Lygon Arms, a coaching inn for at least three centuries and now an upmarket hotel, is a few yards away. A similar service was in operation on the Stratford Road in Tysoe, linked to the coaching inn at the top of Sunrising Hill. We saw the museum devoted to furniture designer Gordon Russell, and decided to return to give it the attention it deserves. Some intrepid members continued up the old coach road for a few hundred yards after we bid farewell to Sean Callery to see some remarkable topiary. Another reason to return for a longer look at a fascinating town. Our thanks to Sean for a reliably entertaining tour, and to Rosemary for arranging it.

Just a reminder that we have a full programme of talks scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts
Please note changes to the October and January talks, which have been swapped

Date	Speaker	Title
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	A Little History of Coventry
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

British Association for Local History. The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures
and talks which are open to our members. www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Don’t forget to check our own website at: Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership. If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still
£10pa!) is due NOW. Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits! You can pay by cheque made payable to
Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:
Alec Hitchman,
The Hills Farm,
Pillerton Hersey,
WARKS, CV35 0QQ,
With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay
by BACS to our bank business account:
name: Kineton and District Local History Group,
sort code: 40-43-19;
acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.
For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516 mob. 07876 290044 email: djfreke@gmail.com
DF 12.09.23

We continue our summer outings this month

July 21^st meet at 6.30pm on the Parish Field, Hampton Lucy  CV35 8BE

We will be conducted around historic Hampton Lucy village and church by Ken Cockshull and John Dunkerton.  Like many south Warwickshire communities, Hampton experienced depopulation in the 15^th and 16^th centuries as landowners converted arable farming into pasture for sheep.  The hamlets of Hatton and Ingon disappeared by 1500, and the destruction of houses and the eviction of tenants by ecclesiastical landlords is recorded in contemporary documents.  In 1557 Queen Mary granted the manor of Bishop’s Hampton to Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, and it became, and remains, Hampton Lucy.  Some 17^th century buildings remain in the village but in the early 19^th century the Lucy family replaced many cottages and rebuilt the church.  Four mills once served the village, and the group visited the remaining working one many years ago.  

The church of St Peter ad Vincula is an excellent example of early gothic revival and is the masterpiece of Thomas Rickman (tower) and Henry Hutchinson (nave), while the chancel was rebuilt and given an apsidal end by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. 

The history of Hampton Lucy is intimately bound up with Charlecote and the Lucy family, and we look forward to hearing the story of its development.

Meet at 6.30 on the Parish Field. 

Directions:  passing the entrance to Charlecote on your left, turn left after about 100 metres, continue over the narrow bridge keeping left at the junction and then immediately left into the field where you can park.

The cost is £5 and can be paid in advance (see bank and Treasurer’s details below) or on the day.

Report on June 16^th visit to Sibford and Burdrop.

Our visit coincided with a fine evening, and we had a good turnout of 25 members and friends.  The Sibfords are off the beaten track and before our visit I knew virtually nothing about these nearby villages.  Our leader Maureen Hicks revealed a cornucopia of unexpected but fascinating sites and sights.  After gathering at the Village Hall we made a short-cut down and up the first of several valleys we encountered, to arrive at Burdrop. 

The name means the “hamlet near a burgh” – a fortified place.  It is indeed situated in a commanding position at the end of a ridge with the land falling away on all sides, and overlooking a steep valley (which we later negotiated).  It is a compact oval hamlet, possibly following the form of the original fortifications.  The Blaze Inn Saddles just below the summit, now a bikers’ watering hole, was until recently the Blaize Inn, reputedly near the site of a holy well dedicated to St Blaize, the patron saint of throat disorders.  After a perambulation of Burdrop we descended the aforementioned steep valley and ascended again through meadows owned by the village, the first of several community-owned properties we traversed.  We learnt how the Sibfords were, until the 19^th century, part of the parish of Swalecliffe, so the church dates from1840, built to serve the newly separated parish.  A decayed church is mentioned in a survey of 1547, but no trace of it remains.  

From the Village Hall, where several members peeled off to recuperate from the stiff climb out of the valley, we headed west to Sibford Gower to see the primary school, then to dive into another valley and through a pleasant plantation, gifted to the village by a recent resident.  We emerged at the venerable Wykeham Arms, and thence opposite to the Quaker meeting house, with its burial ground of identical, modest headstones.  With swifts wheeling above us we admired some more of the village’s 28 listed buildings while making our way back to the Village Hall where copious refreshments provided by the WI awaited us. 

The general opinion was that the Sibfords are a well-kept secret, with a wealth of charm and history keenly nurtured by residents with an enviable community spirit.  Our thanks to Maureen Hickman whose information was encyclopaedic, to Diana Hughes and helpers who organised the refreshments, and to Rosemary Collier for arranging the visit. 

Just a reminder that we have a full programme of talks scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts

Date	Speaker	Title
21 July (eve)	John Dunkerton & Ken Cockshull	Hampton Lucy village walk
17 Aug. (afternoon)	Sean Callery	Broadway town tour
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Local history books

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman .

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present.   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings

Our book Kineton: the Village and its History published in 1999 is now out of print but it is available to read on-line on our website at a cost of £5.00 via PayPal, go to:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

From the Homepage click <Publications> on the left-hand menu, and click the cover illustration to see inside or click the Buy button to download the full publication. 

The book gives a well-researched summary of the history of the village from earliest times to the recent past.  Five walks to different parts of the village explore notable places and buildings.  Further chapters describe the community’s institutions, organisations, and characters.  The volume is indexed, and a section gives guidance to other sources of information

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due NOW.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:

 Alec Hitchman,

The Hills Farm,

Pillerton Hersey,

WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 16.07.23

We start our summer outings this month

NB Please note the date for the Sibford village walk is Friday 16^th June.

Meet at 6.00pm  Sibford Village Hall OX15 5RN

Sibford is mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086 as “Scipforde”, derived from the Saxon personal name “Sibba’s”. and the ford in the valley. The “Gower”  element is from a another family name, a lord of the Manor.  Burdrop means the “hamlet near a burgh” – a fortified place.   As in nearby Tysoe part of the area was once owned by the Knights Templar and the mill at the bottom of the valey was called Templars’ Mill.

There are 28 listed buildings in the village, and we will be guided expertly around these historic sites, followed by refreshments.

The cost is £7.50 and can be paid in advance (see Treasurer’s details below) or on the day.

Report on our last talk at the Village Hall, on 19 May by Frances Kermer from The Open Spaces Society, a charity dedicated to protecting green and open spaces and ensuring their survival for future generations to enjoy.  In her talk entitled Common Land – Its Origin, Loss and Survival  She clarified many aspects of commons, starting with their origin in the rights of medieval villagers to graze animals, take fallen wood, cut turfs and even extract minerals, depending upon the conditions set out in the manor courts.  The cases heard by the manor courts baron (meeting every three weeks) and court leets (meeting every two years) are similar in many ways to the complaints around commons today – over grazing, encroachment, inappropriate activities.  Houses are not permitted, nor fencing, and animal grazing rates should be controlled.  Rural commons and village and town greens are all covered by the Commons Act 2006, and the term covers a wide variety of land types and uses.  The origins of commons are in medieval feudal rights, as part of the resources of the manor available to all sections of  the community.

The extent of common land was much reduced by the enclosures which were under way by the 16^th century, and comparatively little common land remains today. 

The legal position of commons has long been problematic, with Acts of Parliament addressing various issues in 1588, 1876, 1899, 1925, 1965, 2000 and most recently in 2006.  Commons continue to generate disputes, despite county councils being obliged to compile a Register of Commons and the rights attached to them.  The Open Spaces Society actively searches for unregistered areas of land which may qualify for registration, but which have been overlooked or rejected by County Councils.  

Gill Stewart led the vote of thanks drawing on her own experiences, which included one of the examples used by Frances in her talk.

Thanks are due to Jackie and Mark Walker dispensed teas, coffees and biscuits,  a ritual which will be discontinued as there are fewer and fewer takers for what is an extra duty for members of the group.   

.

Just a reminder that we have a full programme of talks scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts

Date	Speaker	Title
16 June (eve)	Diana Hughes	Sibford Gower and Burdrop village walk
21 July (eve)	John Dunkerton	Hampton Lucy village walk
17 Aug. (afternoon)	Sean Callery	Broadway town tour
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Local history books

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman .

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present.   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings

Our book Kineton: the Village and its History published in 1999 is now out of print but it is available to read on-line on our website at a cost of £5.00 via PayPal, go to:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

From the Homepage click <Publications> on the left-hand menu, and click the cover illustration to see inside or click the Buy button to download the full publication. 

The book gives a well-researched summary of the history of the village from earliest times to the recent past.  Five walks to different parts of the village explore notable places and buildings.  Further chapters describe the community’s institutions, organisations, and characters.  The volume is indexed, and a section gives guidance to other sources of information

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due NOW.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:

 Alec Hitchman,

The Hills Farm,

Pillerton Hersey,

WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 11.06.23

NB Please note the date change for the Sibford village walk, now on Friday 16^th June. 

Our next talk at the Village Hall, at 7.30pm on 19 May isby Frances Kermer entitled Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival. 

She will discuss the definition of common land, its legal status, its history and the current situation of commons.  Rural commons and village and town greens are all encompassed by the Commons Act 2006, and the term covers a wide variety of land types and uses.  The origins of commons are in medieval feudal rights, as part of the resources of the manor available to certain sections of the community, managed by the manor courts.  Commoners’ rights might include grazing (pasture), pigs foraging for beech mast and acorn (pannage), taking turfs (turbary), collecting wood for fuel and fencing (estovers) and other activities, strictly controlled by custom and the manor court.  

The extent of common land was much reduced by the enclosures which were  under way by the 16^th century, and comparatively little common land remains today. 

The legal position of commons has long been problematic, with Acts of Parliament addressing various issues in 1588, 1876, 1899, 1925, 1965, 2000 and most recently in 2006.  Commons continue to generate disputes, despite county councils being obliged to compile a Register of Commons and the rights attached to them

We look forward to an informative talk as Frances leads us through the sometimes arcane world of commons and village greens, and who can do what on them.  Visitors welcome (visitors’ entrance fee £3.00)

Report on April Talk.  At our last meeting on 21^st April Judith Ellis, in her talk entitled Campden House – the howse that was so fayre, described the spectacular results of the research by the Chipping Campden History Society into the history of Campden House.  Few tantalising fragments remain of the mansion built in 1612 by Sir Baptist Hicks and destroyed in 1645 by Royalists during the Civil War.  Many travellers on the B4035 will have seen the East Banqueting House stranded in the fields east of the town, fields which once were elaborate gardens.  Judith clearly described the research programme aimed at clarifying the layout of the grand gardens, known only from drawings made a century after they had disappeared.  Precisely targeted archaeological trenching revealed a single formal garden, not two as the drawings depicted, and also uncovered evidence for the area being fortified in the Civil War.  Quantities of Venetian glass, decorative plasterwork, ceramics, a coin of Elizabeth I, and a decorative stone face mask were among the finds, confirming the grand pretensions of the house and its pleasure grounds.  The glass was painstakingly studied and proved to be from a design in a 1616 pattern book – the house was fashionably up to the minute!  The most poignant find was a small silver thimble, which called to mind the tragic early death of Sir Baptist Hicks’ daughter Lady Penelope, caused by blood poisoning after pricking her finger while needleworking.

These investigations have now been published as a book.  The Landmark Trust is opening the grounds on Saturday and Sunday the 10^th and 11^th June from 10.00am to 4.00pm, admission free, but book though Eventbrite.

Gill Ashley-Smith gave the vote of thanks, and echoed our appreciation for a clearly presented description of a fine community project

The King’s Big Help Out Day

On Monday 8^th May the Parish Council organised an event at the Village Hall involving the village’s community groups as part of the national King’s Big Help Out Day. The Group mounted a stand and engaged with the many residents who visited the hall.  Many thanks to Alec Hitchman and Pamela Redgrave for help in setting up and answering queries throughout the day. 

Please Note:  Corrected date of Sibford Outing, it’s Friday June 16 not Thursday.

Full details of venues, costs and times at the May 19^th meeting.  Put these dates in your diaries!

Our Forthcoming Talks.  NB  change of date for the Sibford meeting, now Friday 16^th June

We have a full programme of talks and outings scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts, and the summer outings have been finalised (see below).

Date	Speaker	Title
19 May	Frances Kermer	Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival
16 June (eve)	Diana Hughes	Sibford Gower and Burdrop village walk
21 July (eve)	John Dunkerton	Hampton Lucy village walk
17 Aug. (afternoon)	Sean Callery	Broadway town tour
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Local history books

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman .

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present.   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings

Our book Kineton: the Village and its History published in 1999 is now out of print but it is available to read on-line on our website at a cost of £5.00 via PayPal, go to:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

From the Homepage click <Publications> on the left-hand menu, and click the cover illustration to see inside or click the Buy button to download the full publication. 

The book gives a well-researched summary of the history of the village from earliest times to the recent past.  Five walks to different parts of the village explore notable places and buildings.  Further chapters describe the community’s institutions, organisations, and characters.  The volume is indexed, and a section gives guidance to other sources of information

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com

Other Societies’ Events

Tuesday 23 May.  Stoneleigh History Society.  The fascinating Story of Egg Cups by Dr Javad Hashemi.  7.30 Village Hall,

Monday 12 June.  Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society.  Palaeography: what, why, how Mairi Macdonald 7.30 Senior Citizens Club, Kenilworth, non members £2.00

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due NOW.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:

 Alec Hitchman,

The Hills Farm,

Pillerton Hersey,

WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 17.04.23

At our next meeting on 21^st April we will hear Judith Ellis, in her talk entitled Campden House – the howse that was so fayre, describing the results of the research by the Chipping Campden History Society into the history of Campden House.  Few tantalising fragments remain of the “howse that was so fayre”, built in 1612 by Sir Baptist Hicks and destroyed in 1645 by Royalists during the Civil War.  Many travellers on the B4035 will have seen the East Banqueting House stranded in the fields east of the town, fields which once were elaborate gardens. 

Other original buildings include the West Banqueting House and the Gatehouse, but all that remains of the mansion itself above ground is one wall.   During the Campden House Project, which began in 2016 and was completed in 2018, the Society undertook extensive geophysical surveys, trial trenching and documentary research to discover what can be retrieved of the original house and its grounds.  These investigations have now been published as a book, and we look forward to hearing the results. Visitors welcome (Visitors’ Entrance fee £3.00)

Report on the 35^th AGM held on 17^th March.  Our President Robert Bearman presided over the business proceedings, and we are pleased that he agreed to continue as our President.  Reports from the Chairman and the Treasurer had been circulated in advance. 

The Chairman outlined the previous year’s events, and thanked Claire Roberts for arranging a splendid programme.  Our summer outings were eventful, with a village guide who omitted to acknowledge the existing village (but who enthusiastically demonstrated its prehistoric and Roman antecedents); a local trip from which our guide had to withdraw part way round, but not before providing a remarkable insight into an overlooked part of our neighbourhood; and a town tour on the hottest day of the year, but which was enjoyed nonetheless by a hardy band.  The Chairman thanked Rosemary, Isobel and Brian Lewis for organising these events.  Attention was directed to the ongoing efforts to establish a Community Archive Room in the village hall.  The Chairman concluded by thanking our President, the committee and other members who supported the group and contributed to a successful 2022. 

Our Treasurer presented our accounts, reviewed by former committee member Peter Waters, pointing out that the drop in our bank balance was mainly due to the cost of installing the fire-door, an essential element of the archive room project, but that other costs (hall hire, speakers fees, bank charges) had also increased.  Membership in 2022 was down from 76 to 65 compared with 2021.  Peter Waters was thanked and agreed to review the 2023 accounts

The elections to the committee:  George Lokuciejewski retired from the committee and we are grateful for his input during his time helping to run the group.  Ilona Sekacz stood down as Secretary, but remained on the committee, and the other 9 members of the 2022 committee, including the chairman, were re-elected.

2023-24 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Vacant                          

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

Ilona Sekacz 

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

 We have a full programme of talks and outings scheduled for 2023-4, thanks to Claire’s efforts, and the summer outings have been finalised (see below).

The business part of the evening was followed by David Moylan with a presentation/performance entitled

Funny Turns – a celebration of the entertainers and entertainment of days gone by.  David performs comedy magic, with an historical edge.  He also plays a variety of instruments, and he entertained us with a non-stop stream of self-deprecating jokes, stories, and songs.  True to his title he paid homage to entertainers familiar to many of our older members.  I started taking notes, but laughter obliged me to abandon the attempt and just enjoy the flow. 

Ilona gave the vote of thanks, referring to her own childhood in Blackpool where she experienced the best (and not so best) of the old-time comedians.    

Our Forthcoming Talks

Date	Speaker	Title
21 April	Judith Ellis	Campden House – the howse which was so fayre
19 May	Frances Kermer	Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival
15 June (eve)	Diana Hughes	Sibford Gower and Burdrop village walk
21 July (eve)	John Dunkerton	Hampton Lucy village walk
17 Aug. (afternoon)	Sean Callery	Broadway town tour
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

2023 Summer Outings

Full details of venues, costs and times at the April 21^st meeting.  Put these dates in your diaries!

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman  

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present?   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings or via PayPal from our website:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com.

Other Societies’ Events

Thursday 20^th April.  Warmington Heritage Group.  Recent works at Baddesley Clinton by Stephen Wass.  7.30 Village Hall, Warmington. Non members £2.00

Monday 24 April.  Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society.  What are they Worth: Anglo- Saxon and Mercian settlements incorporating the term “-worth” by Graham Aldred.  7.30 Senior Citizens Club, Kenilworth, non members £2.00

Monday 24^th April.  Leamington Spa History Group.  The History of Allotments in Leamington by Nigel Briggs.  7.30, Oddfellows Hall New Street, Leamington

Tuesday 25^th April.  Stoneleigh History Society The Blind Postmaster General and the Suffragist by Alan Godfrey, 7.30 Village Hall Stoneleigh, non-members £3.00

Southam Heritage Collection: Accessing the Collection:

The current exhibition showcases the work by volunteers on the local Civil War loss accounts

Opening times are – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings 10 am – 12 noon.

Other times by appointment.

Our High Street and Atrium window displays are updated regularly so please keep a lookout for the latest displays as you pass by.

In addition to the Exhibition Room there is plenty to see online, so do take time to explore this website and sample some of its many interesting articles.

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due NOW.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:

 Alec Hitchman,

The Hills Farm,

Pillerton Hersey,

WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 17.04.23

AGM 17^th March 7.30 Village Hall

Followed by David Moylan:

Funny Turns – a celebration of the entertainers and entertainment of days gone by.

David Moylan performs comedy magic, with an historical edge.  He has been a resident entertainer at Warwick Castle for many years, combining music and close-up magic, and he  regularly entertains at corporate events, private functions, community groups like ours and medieval banquets –  not something we can lay on this week unfortunately.   But Ilona will be on hand to provide refreshments. 

Visitors welcome (Visitors’ Entrance fee £3.00)

Review of 17th February Meeting with David Fry talking about the Coventry Silk Ribbon Industry.  David set out to dispel some myths that have grown up around the history of the Coventry silk ribbon industry.  He challenged basic “facts”, such as: who started it, when it started, and were the first silk ribbon weavers Hugenot refugees?  David demonstrated that much received wisdom, even the cherished notion that some modern-day Coventrians are descended from Hugenots, is tenuous at best and plain wrong at times.   His talk was a cautionary tale about the need to consult primary sources and how to question accepted ideas.  He was also clear about the history of the “top-shop” weavers, the introduction of the Jacquard Loom, and the decline of the industry when trade opened up with Europe, and particularly with France, after the Napoleonic Wars.  The wonderful complex design on the left (David brought an example of it) which was shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851, was produced when the industry was already collapsing.  Weavers diversified into making medal ribbons, bookmarks pictures, and, latterly, name-tapes.  The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has a fine collection related to the industry and its sociology.  David’s talk was well illustrated with shots of weavers’ cottages, looms, and of course the products of the industry.

Our Forthcoming Talks

Date	Speaker	Title
21 April	Judith Ellis	Campden House – the howse which was so fayre
19 May	Frances Kermer	Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival
15 June (eve)	Diana Hughes	Sibford Gower and Burdrop village walk
21 July (eve)	John Dunkerton	Hampton Lucy village walk
17 Aug. (afternoon)	Sean Callery	Broadway town visit
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman  

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present?   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings or via PayPal from our website:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com.

Other Societies’ Events

Southam Heritage Collection: Accessing the Collection:

The current exhibition showcases the work by volunteers on the local Civil War loss accounts

Opening times are – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings 10 am – 12 noon.

Other times by appointment.

Our High Street and Atrium window displays are updated regularly so please keep a lookout for the latest displays as you pass by.

In addition to the Exhibition Room there is plenty to see online, so do take time to explore this website and sample some of its many interesting articles.

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Gresham College Lectures on History

 Ancient Landscapes of Britain (Archaeology) Helena Hamerow 

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/ancient-britain

The Medieval Agricultural Revolution: New Evidence

Helena Hamerow

6pm, Thurs 23 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/agricultural-rev

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due NOW.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to:

 Alec Hitchman,

The Hills Farm,

Pillerton Hersey,

WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

2022-23 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Ilona Sekacz                           

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   Rosemary Collier                                    

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Isobel Gill

George Lokuciejewski

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 13.03.23

Our 17^th February Meeting at 7.30 in Kineton Village Hall will feature David Fry talking about the Coventry Silk Ribbon Industry.   This activity was the principal means of making living for up to half of Coventry’s working age population, from the 1700s to the mid 19^th century.  Beginning as a “cottage” industry carried out in workers’ own homes, early 19^th century entrepreneurs transformed the industry with industrial looms in purpose-built mills. 

The Jacquard Loom was the machinery which enabled this transformation.  It used chains of punched cards to “programme” the loom to weave complex designs, and fewer weavers could produce larger quantities of fine finished material than was possible with the cottage industry methods. 

The Jacquard Loom was invented in France in 1800, and was an important step in the development of computing technology.  By the late 19^th and into the 20^th century the weaving industry declined and turned to making woven badges, labels and bookmarks.  The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has a fine collection related to the industry and its sociology.  Our speaker David Fry has published work on the history of Coventry communities with a particular interest in historic photographs and industry.   

The meeting will be followed as usual with a sociable chat over tea coffee and biscuits

Report on our January

At our first meeting of the New Year our speaker Professor Beat Kümin presented For a Good Cause: church ales and early modern drinking culture describing the role that drinking alcohol has played historically in social, religious and political life.  Beat Kümin is Professor of Early Modern European History at Warwick University, and has written extensively on early modern society.   

His talk emphasised how Church Ales – celebratory events organised by medieval parish communities – were significant contributors to parish incomes.  The occasions could be saints’ days, seasonal celebrations, a ”King Play” when norms were inverted, and other special occasions such as Bride-Ales (Bridals).  There could be music, dancing, competitions, sports, morris dancing, and other revels.  The events were managed by lay Ale Wardens, who organised them and collected the dues. These individuals were not the same as the Ale Tasters who enforced the legal requirements the Assize of Ale regarding the quality of the beverage on behalf of the Lord of the Manor.

The amount of ale drunk each day per person in the 16^th century was about 1.5 litres, although this drink contained less alcohol than modern beers.  This daily consumption declined  to about 1 litre in the 18^th century, as a more restrictive attitude to alcohol grew with the rise of non-conformist religious sentiments.  This difference in approach is starkly illustrated by the situation during the Commonwealth under Cromwell compared with the Restoration under Charles II.   Other changes came about with the introduction of hops to make beer, with traditional women brewsters being gradually excluded from industrial brewing, and relegated to the sale of beer.  The Church House was the usual venue for Church Ales, and this building could also generate income from rents, as well as being the focal point of community activities.   Beat concluded by describing the general decline of the role of the church in parish affairs, and the recent efforts in Berkswell Parish to re-integrate the secular and religious through collaborative community events, a hopeful example. 

Questions from the audience elicited the information that the situation in early modern Europe was much the same as in. England, and that the common view that ale was drunk to avoid contaminated water is wrong, as most rural spring water was perfectly potable.  Asked which came first – the church or the drinking venue – Professor Kümin was clear that the church was the primary structure in parish history, although there were drinking establishments in Roman times.  His talk was illustrated not just with informative pictures but also the sounds of rather raucous drinking songs!  

The 2023-24 Programme

Date	Speaker	Title
17 Feb ‘23	David Fry	The Silk Ribbon Industry of Coventry’
17 March ‘23 AGM	David Moylan	Funny Turns – A Celebration of the Entertainers and Entertainment of Days Gone By
21 April	Judith Ellis	Campden House – the howse which was so fayre
19 May	Frances Kermer	Common Land – Its Origin Loss and Survival
June, July, Aug	Visits TBC	Hampton Lucy, The Sibfords,  tbc
15 September	Martin Sinot-Smith	Sulgrave Manor & the Washington Family.
20 October	John Miles	Charlecote & the Lucy Family
17 November	Paul Grigsby	Roman Warwickshire
8 December	Various	Members’ Christmas Treats
19 January 2024	Peter Walters	A Little History of Coventry
16 February	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Edgehill 1642
15 March AGM	Vanessa Morgan	Local Rogues & Villains of the 19th century

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman  

Members are encouraged tobecome evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings.  This book would make an ideal birthday present?   Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.

Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk

or purchase at meetings or via PayPal from our website:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton.  The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences.  There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.

Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email:  colinjamessuch@gmail.com.

Other Societies’ Events

16^th February. Warmington Heritage Group,  Six Warrior Women of the Civil War 1642-51  Stephen Barker   Warmington Village Hall,  at 7.30 pm

21^st February Warwickshire Local History Society   Paterson’s Dynasty of Gardeners; an example from Warwick Castle.

Southam Heritage Collection: Accessing the Collection:

The current exhibition showcases the work by volunteers on the local Civil War loss accounts

Opening times are – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings 10 am – 12 noon.

Other times by appointment.

Our High Street and Atrium window displays are updated regularly so please keep a lookout for the latest displays as you pass by.

In addition to the Exhibition Room there is plenty to see online, so do take time to explore this website and sample some of its many interesting articles.

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members.  www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Gresham College Lectures on History

 Ancient Landscapes of Britain (Archaeology)Mike Pitts, Martin Millett and Helena Hamerow 

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/ancient-britain

Stonehenge: A History

Mike Pitts

6pm, Thurs 23 Feb 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/stonehenge-history

Landscapes of Roman Britain

Martin Millett

6pm, Weds 15 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/roman-landscapes

The Medieval Agricultural Revolution: New Evidence

Helena Hamerow

6pm, Thurs 23 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/agricultural-rev

4^th March CBA West Midlands News From the Past Priory Meeting Rooms, Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6AF.  10.00am – 4.30pm

Don’t forget to check our own website at:  Kineton and District Local History Group

Membership.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due this January.  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to Alec Hitchman, The Hills Farm, Pillerton Hersey, WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.

With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

2022-23 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                Ilona Sekacz                           

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   vacant                                     

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Rosemary Collier

Isobel Gill

George Lokuciejewski

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Committee:   There have been no meetings since the last Newsletter

Date of next Committee meeting:  TBC 

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516    mob. 07876 290044   email:  djfreke@gmail.com

DF 13.02.23

At our first meeting of the New Year on 20th January our speaker Professor Beat Kümin will present For a Good Cause: church ales and early modern drinking culture, about the role that drinking alcohol has played historically in social, religious and political life. Beat Kümin is Professor of Early Modern European History at Warwick University, and has written extensively on early modern society, with particularly emphasis on communal activities such as drinking, feasting and church going. He is the co-ordinator of the My-Parish website, which hosts ongoing research into all things parish-related. His interests extend from early modern food and drink to the evolution of the picnic, and he has assisted subjects on TV programmes like “Who do you think you are?”. Professor Kümin has visited us before and we look forward to another relaxed and informative evening.

Report on our Christmas Meeting

Richard Churchley presented Christmas Songs Through the Ages: from the middle ages to the 1940s. We saw “Dick” Churchley, the musician and entertainer, but his presentation was informed throughout by Dr Richard Churchley’s life-time of local history research. True to the title of his talk, he started with medieval seasonal feasting and the Mummers (derived the word “mimers” or “mumblers”), and sang the medieval Coventry Carol. His informal approach encouraged our members to join in, and also to sing along to a Wassail (from Norse ves heill – “be in good health”).

He accompanied himself on the accordion and the cittern – a medieval instrument similar to a lute – just two of the many instruments of which he is master. The stories told by carols don’t necessarily conform to the orthodox line. In The Withy Stick, collected in Worcestershire by Cecil Sharp, we hear how the bitter willow tree was cursed by Jesus after a switch from it was used by Mary to punish him for drowning three rich youths, a story from the Apocrypha.

In between songs he explained the sources of some much-loved examples – Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer for instance is an American invention from 1939. He brought us up to the 1940s with Bing Crosby and White Christmas and went beyond his brief into the 1970s by pointing out that Mike Oldfield’s follow-up to his hit Tubular Bells is based on the medieval In Dulce Jubilo, recorded on multiple tracks by three recorders, renaissance kortholt (look it up!), acoustic and electric guitars, piano, synthesiser, snare drum, and tambourine – a line-up worthy of Dick Churchley himself.
As is traditional for K&DLHG at Christmas we enjoyed mince pies (courtesy of the committee), mulled wine and soft drinks. Our thanks to Ilona and Jackie and Mark Walker for organising this and serving us.

The 2023-24 Programme

Capturing Kineton’s Past by Peter Ashley-Smith, edited by our President Robert Bearman.
Members are encouraged to become evangelical about this publication, in order to promote the group, and foster an interest in the history of our village and its surroundings. This book would make an ideal birthday present? Peter’s encyclopaedic knowledge and years of research are here distilled into little nuggets – anecdotes, characters, and vignettes of past village life here presented to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of Kineton’s colourful past.
Price £9.99 contact kinetonhistory@yahoo.co.uk or purchase at meetings.

Peter Johnson has updated and substantially revised and enlarged his biography of Joe Gerring, who worked around the area in Lighthorne, Compton Verney, Chesterton and Kineton. The book is a model of local history research and presentation, and is accompanied by a CD of Joe talking about his experiences. There has been a limited print run of only 100 copies of the book and CD and Peter Johnson has kindly donated a copy of both to the archive of the Kineton & District Local History Group.
Peter Johnson has a limited number of both the book and CD for sale. The book is £14 and the CD is £6. Postage rates on application. Home delivery available in Lighthorne and Kineton. Please email: colinjamessuch@gmail.com.

Other Societies’ Events
19th January. Warmington Heritage Group, Why Look at Churches?? Professor John Hunt,
Warmington Village Hall, at 7.30 pm

Professor Hunt is a medievalist working primarily on regional history and archaeology, medieval lordship and community and cultural history, in England & France between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. His current research is focussed particularly on parish churches and in this talk he will address the question: Why look at parish churches? Despite their apparent familiarity, why do English parish churches continue to attract the interest of historians and archaeologists? This lecture will explore some of the key questions and themes that contribute to the fascination of these buildings through three Warwickshire parish churches on which the speaker has worked, namely: St Laurence’s at Ansley; St John the Baptist at Berkswell; and St Mary’s at Tysoe.

27th January Welford and Weston Local History Society: The Stratford Midland Junction Railway and Binton Station by Peter Lewis, Memorial Hall, Welford, 7.30pm

Southam Heritage Collection: Accessing the Collection: The current exhibition showcases the work by volunteers on the local Civil War loss accounts Opening times are – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings 10 am – 12 noon.

Other times by appointment. Our High Street and Atrium window displays are updated regularly so please keep a lookout for the latest displays as you pass by. In addition to the Exhibition Room there is plenty to see online, so do take time to explore this website and sample some of its many interesting articles.

British Association for Local History. The Kineton Group is a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members. Check their website www.balh.org.uk for upcoming talks available virtually.

Gresham College Lectures on History Ancient Landscapes of Britain (Archaeology)
Mike Pitts, Martin Millett and Helena Hamerow
Three of Britain’s leading Archaeologists present the latest research on Stonehenge, the landscapes of Roman Britain, and the medieval Agricultural Revolution. https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/ancient-britain

Stonehenge: A History Mike Pitts 6pm, Thurs 23 Feb 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/stonehenge-history

Landscapes of Roman Britain: Martin Millett 6pm, Weds 15 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/roman-landscapes

The Medieval Agricultural Revolution: New Evidence Helena Hamerow 6pm, Thurs 23 Mar 2023, Barnard’s Inn Hall/ Online/ Watch Later https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/agricultural-rev

Don’t forget to check our own website at:
Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

Membership. If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2023 subscription (still £10pa!) is due this January. Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits! You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to Alec Hitchman, The Hills Farm, Pillerton Hersey, WARKS, CV35 0QQ, For queries contact Alec on alec.hitchman@btinternet.com You can also join at any talk.
With our bank now charging for payments by cheque or cash, we would urge those who can to please pay by BACS to our bank business account:
name: Kineton and District Local History Group,
sort code: 40-43-19;
acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

2022-23 KDLHG Committee

President:                               Dr Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman                                David Freke                           

Vice-Chairman                        Roger Gaunt                           

Secretary                                 Ilona Sekacz                           

Treasurer                                Alec Hitchman                       

Outings Secretary                   vacant                                     

Programme Secretary             Claire Roberts                            

Other committee members:

Rosemary Collier

Isobel Gill

George Lokuciejewski

Catherine Petrie (PR)

Pamela Redgrave (Membership)

Committee: A meeting was held, via Zoom, on 5th December. After receiving the treasurer’s update the main business was to finalise the programme for 2023-4. Our Group agreed to host a visit from the Long Itchington Local History Society on 10th May 2023, reciprocating for a memorable visit to them several years ago. It was decided to research the requirements for running “hybrid” meetings, with members in the village hall and participants via Zoom.

Date of next Committee meeting: 13th February via Zoom 7.00pm,

Contact David Freke tel. 01295 670516 mob. 07876 290044 email: djfreke@gmail.com
DF 14.01.23

NEWSLETTER, 13th February 2022

Our forthcoming meeting on Friday 18^th February features James Ranahan, whose his talk The Photographer’s Gaze: viewing Warwickshire since 1839 will take us back into the Warwickshire of the last century and a half.   This is a period of Warwickshire’s boomtime, for some, and then bust, for some, and change, for all.  In the 19^thcentury the industrial towns benefitted from new canal and railway transport links, with the north Warwickshire coalfield fuelling huge urban population growth. In the late twentieth century de-industrialisation forced radical changes on these communities.Agricultural fortunes grew until the middle of the 19^th century, then dipped to desperate straits for landowners and agricultural workers at the end of the century.  In the twentieth century the two World Wars impacted on Warwickshire in ways which left permanent changes in the landscape and society.  Our own member Roger Butler has shown us historic images of local canals thriving with commercial traffic, becoming abandoned and lost in derelict wastelands and then reviving as amenities at the centre of leisure and retail activities (think Banbury).   

Increasingly we use photographs to chart change – our own “snapshot” of Kineton 10 years ago is already, inevitably, an historic record. Photographs have increasingly documented these changes, and by the 21^st century photography has changed from its original elite specialist pursuit to a ubiquitous reflex available to anybody with a smart phone.  James’ title “The photographer’s gaze …” suggests that he will consider what subjects photographers have chosen to focus on and how they have presented them –  which of the infinity of possible views have they selected and frozen for posterity?  And how have these choices themselves changed over time?   James’ work is looking after these records.  He is an archivist with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, specialising in the photographic records, and was previously for many years the Photographic Archivist at the Birmingham Library.. We are eager to hear his presentation. 

At present there are no mandatory covid-related restrictions on the use of the village hall, so we expect to present a normal evening, with refreshments.  However, we advise that masks be worn when moving around, unless taking refreshments, and that the hand washing facilities be used.  Seats will be spaced, although not at the previous 2m distance. 

Report on our Friday 21^st January’s informativetalk by George Derbyshire, whose topic was the Arts and Crafts movement in the Cotswolds.  He called his talk “Cockneys in Arcadia”, and he described the effect on Chipping Campden in 1902 caused by the influx 150 people from London – 50 craftspeople and their families – led by Charles Ashbee.  They were seeking to exchange “Babylon” (London) for “arcadia” (rural life), idealised as a simpler, more “authentic” aesthetic and lifestyle.  It was undeniably also a cheaper one.

For a while Chipping Campden became an artistic avante garde outpost.  Ashbee set up workshops in the old silk mill, and established a guild school for training local carvers, cabinetmakers, enamellers, printers, jewellers, goldsmiths and silversmiths (but, oddly, not stonemasons).  At its height 300 students were enrolled.  The surprisingly unfit country trainees were given disciplined physical workouts to improve mind and body.  The use of the term “guild” indicates their adoption of the medievalising social ideals of Ruskin and Morris. 

Like Morris, the guild found that handcrafted items were often too expensive for all but the rich to acquire.  Their proposed edition of the Bible was to retail between £60 – £150 depending on the degree of illumination (about £8,000 – £20,000 in today’s money).  Unsurprisingly the project had to be shelved as it was not financially viable.  The economic isolation of the town led to financial problems and the guild returned to London in 1907, but Ashbee and a dozen craftsmen remained to continue the transformation of the town and its cultural life.

Although he trained as an architect Ashbee built no new buildings in Chipping Campden, but he was personally responsible for the maintenance and survival of many of the jewels in Campden’s High Street, and the ethos of the Arts and Craft Movement has ensured the conservation of the town’s charm.  

Our thanks to George Derbyshire for his succinct and expert presentation, not least the revelation that Charles Ashbee’s father’s bequest of 50,000 books to the British Library had to go straight into their restricted catalogue!

Membership.   Given the way the problems and restrictions of the last 2 years have affected our activities we hope that you still value what the Group has to offer.   If you are, or would like to become, a Member of the group, your 2022 subscription is due (still £10pa!).  Our Treasurer Alec Hitchman awaits!  You can pay by cheque made payable to Kineton and District Local History Group, sent or delivered to Alec Hitchman, The Hills Farm, Pillerton Hersey, WARKS, CV35 0QQ,  or by BACS to our bank business account:

name: Kineton and District Local History Group,

sort code: 40-43-19;

acc. no. 71281992. Please include your full name so we can correctly attribute your payment.

Or you can join at any talk.

K&DLHG 2022-3 Programme: 

Feb 18  :	James Ranahan	The Photographer’s Gaze: Viewing Warwickshire Since 1839
Mar 18	AGM
22 April	Alan Benjamin	‘The History and Music of Morris Dancing’ with instrumental accompaniment.
20 May	Anne Langley	‘Early allotments in Warwickshire’ a major institution of Victorian village life
June/July	tbc	Walk around Ilmington  (date and time tbc) Visit to Brailes  (date and time tbc)
Fri. 12 August	2.30 pm	Walk around Chipping Norton with Blue Badge guide
16 September	Norman Hyde	‘Tennis the Leamington Way.’ the oldest tennis club in the world and its importance to Leamington over 170 years.
21 October	Roy Smart	‘David Beatty – The Last Naval Hero’ fame and celebrity following the Battle of Jutland, the greatest naval battle in history.
18 November	Rosemary Collier	The History of the Royal Horticultural Research Institute, Wellesbourne
9 December	Richard Churchley	‘Christmas Songs Through the Ages’ the Middle Ages to the 1940s
20 Jan 2023	Beat Kumin	‘For a Good Cause – Church Ales and Early Modern Drinking Culture.’
17 Feb 2023	David Fry	The Silk Ribbon Industry of Coventry’
17 March 2023	AGM

Official covid advice and regulations may change for better or worse in the coming months, so we will be assessing the programme one meeting at a time and we will confirm each event when we are reasonably confident that we can run it. 

The Community Archive Project: an appeal for Ideas.  At our last meeting I reported that our Heritage Lottery Fund bid for money to help construct a Community Archive room in the Village Hall was rejected, with the helpful suggestion that involving more community activities would make a more viable bid.  I asked if members could suggest ways we could incorporate such ideas in a new approach to HLF.  I am very grateful that some members have responded with suggestions which we will develop and take forward.  If anybody has a light-bulb moment please email me at frekedj@globalnet.co.uk or talk to a committee member at our meetings.

Other Society Events

Warmington Heritage Group. 

Thursday 17^th February 7.30pm  Local Postcard Collection by Stuart Martin, at Warmington Village Hall

Warwickshire Local History Society

K&DLHG is affiliated to WLHS and our members are entitled to join their meetings.

The next WLHG talk is:

Tuesday 15^th March, 7.30pm.   , Members Meeting

WLHS are intending to run outings again this summer.  Although full details are not available yet you might want to put the following dates in your diaries:

Saturday 7th May: Edgehill Battlefield Walk, A morning outing followed by optional lunch, led by Martin Russell, the Vice President of Shipston and District Local History Society.

Thursday 26th May: Trip to Birmingham Guinea Gardens and Birmingham Botanical Gardens, all day, led by members of Birmingham Guinea Gardens and the Botanical Gardens tour guides (lunch at the Botanical Gardens: members can bring packed lunch or eat in the cafe).

Saturday 2nd July: Compton Verney Archaeology: An afternoon tour of the grounds led by Compton Verney archaeologist Hilary Calow followed by a cream tea at Compton Verney.

Wednesday 7th September: Middleton Hall, Tamworth.  A morning tour of the hall followed by members’ choice of packed lunch or lunch in the restaurant, with access to the hall and gardens for the rest of the day.

Full details and prices will be available a few weeks before each event, together with details on how to book a place.

Check the Warwickshire Local History Society website for updates: https://www.warwickshirehistory.org.uk

British Association for Local History.  The Kineton Group is also a Member of BALH and they run lectures and talks which are open to our members. 

Their next, talk available virtually is:

Wednesday 16^th February 7.00pm – 8.00pm  Effective Social Media for Local History 

Thursday 24^th February 7.00 –  8.00pm.  Front Parlour to Funeral Parlour: looking after the dead in England 1850 – 1950

Booking through the BALH website: www.balh.org.uk

Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society

Tuesday 1^st March 7.00pm Cheddar Man and the Genetic prehistory of Britain by Dr Thomas Booth.   Venue Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham.  Book through website: www.bwas-online.co.uk

Tuesday 5^th April  7.00pm Medieval Grafitti of South Warwickshire Churches by David Freke

Venue St John’s House Museum Warwick.  For tickets see website www.bwas-online.co.uk

HS2

Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th there will be an open event in Chipping Warden village hall showcasing the archaeological discoveries on the HS2 site nearby https://www.woodford-halse-villagesignpost.co.uk/2022/02/07/meet-the-diggers/

Council for British Archaeology West Midlands

Saturday March 5 10.00am – 4.00pm  News from the Past  at Carrs Lane Church Centre Birmingham https://cbawm.archaeologyuk.org/

Warwickshire in WWII

The link below takes you to a fascinating article about WWII in the locality, keep going to the end to read about PoW Camp 31 at Ettington. 

https://www.forces.net/heritage/history/doorstep-history-german-soldiers-buried-warwickshire?fbclid=IwAR2glVLC2bOpFyt0W1hkJRPiG_zjVhlc7d-y4KjAfZ3uBySlvBj7w63esv0

Don’t forget to check our own website at:

Kineton and District Local History Group (kinetonhistory.co.uk)

KDLHG Committee

President: Robert Bearman MBE                  

Chairman: David Freke                            

Vice-Chairman: Roger Gaunt                            

Secretary: Ilona Sekacz                            

Treasurer: Alec Hitchman              

Outings Secretary: Isobel Gill                                        

Programme Secretary:  Claire Roberts                          

Other committee members:

Rosemary Collier   

George Lokuciejewski     

Catherine Petrie

Pamela Redgrave

Peter Waters 

Committee News.  The committee last met via Zoom on 17^th January and a summary was included in the January Newsletter.

Date of next Committee meeting:  14^th March via Zoom (tbc) 7.00pm,

DF 13.02. 22

Contact:  David Freke   tel: 07876 290044

Email frekedj@globalnet.co.uk