Author: Jane Painter

March 31, 2021|Reports

“RMS Queen Mary: From Launch to Maiden Voyage” – Stephen Hoadley

When King George V was playing golf with a senior Cunard executive, he asked what their famous new cruise ship was to be called. On hearing it was suggested it should be named after Britain’s most famous Queen he replied that his wife Mary would be absolutely delighted… and so the Queen Victoria became the…

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February 28, 2021|Reports

“The Vikings” – Dr Imogen Corrigan

Imogen Corrigan gave an impressive and authoritative talk on these long haired tourists from Scandinavia to about 60 members and visitors of Wickham History Society on 23rd February.  Imogen confirmed that, despite some recent rethinking, they did do all the things they are infamous for and traded on their reputation for ferocity to intimidate opposition…

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January 31, 2021|Reports

“War Hero or Murderer?” – Paul Stickler

or PERCY TOPLIS – THE MONOCLED MUTINEER? Post lockdown, take a trip to the Hampshire Police Museum at the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton and ask to see Percy Toplis’ monocle. It should be there, but nothing is as it seems with the story of Percy Toplis, except perhaps that false news has been around…

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December 31, 2020|Reports

“Frost, Freezes & Fairs” – Ian Currie

This joint Wickham Society and Wickham History Society Christmas meeting was the first time we haven’t been able to get together for mulled wine or Christmas cocktails – we look forward to being back at the Community Centre for Christmas 2021. Nonetheless over sixty members, wearing a variety of Christmas jumpers and hats gathered together…

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November 30, 2020|Reports

“Hampshire & the New World: The Mayflower & Beyond” – Dr Cheryl Butler

Dr Cheryl Butler made a very welcome return visit to Wickham History Society on Tuesday, November 24th – this time by Zoom to over 50 WHS members.  Cheryl used the 200th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to America in 1620 to explore our local links with the New World. I was taught in…

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October 31, 2020|Reports

Wickham History Society: Annual Report 2019-2020 – Updated October 2020

Chair’s Introduction 2020 will certainly be remembered, and not just as our 60th Anniversary! The Covid-19 virus has had a huge impact on our activities. We circulated the 2019-2020 Annual Report in May but this year our AGM had to be delayed. For the first time in our history, we will hold a ‘virtual’ AGM…

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October 31, 2020|Reports

“Growing up in Hundred Acres in the 1940s and 50s” – Helen Talbot

Over fifty members and visitors joined our Zoom meeting to hear Helen Talbot talk about her early life in Wickham on Tuesday October 27th. Helen now lives in Edinburgh so it was some consolation for not being able to meet face to face that we can hear from speakers from so much further away. Hundred…

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September 30, 2020|Reports

“Right to Roam” – Neil Bond

Neil Bond was Wickham History Society’s first speaker since our last pre-pandemic meeting in February. His talk was very timely after the restrictions earlier in the year: a celebration of the ‘right to roam’. Over thirty members and visitors joined our first Zoom meeting on Tuesday 22nd September and enjoyed a well researched and presented…

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May 23, 2020|Reports

Wickham History Society: Annual Report 2019-2020

Chair’s Introduction 2020 will certainly be remembered, and not just as our 60th Anniversary!  The Covid-19 virus has had a huge impact on our activities. We are sorry we have had to postpone a number of really interesting talks – we will restore business as usual as soon as we responsibly can.  Village businesses and individuals have responded…

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May 7, 2020|News

Planning Your Own Wickham History Walk

Government advice is to take your exercise locally – so why not plan your own ‘Wickham History’ trail? There are 12 history boards at 10 locations in the village – have you seen them all, or any of them? There are boards in the Square, on the Parish Noticeboard and by Havelock/Wentworth house; on Lilly’s…

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