News & Reports
April 30, 2018|Reports
“Beverley Babes” by Jane Painter
On April 24th, the society’s Secretary, Jane Painter, gave us a very well researched talk on the subject of the ‘Beverley Babes’. ‘Beverley’ is a substantial Georgian house, lying along the Southwick Road a short way from the Church crossroads. Beverley’s spacious grounds are open to the public every summer for the annual Church Fete….
Find Out More »March 31, 2018|Reports
“Salisbury – A Tale of Two Cities” by Andrew Negus
On March 27, over sixty members and guests were treated to very well presented and researched talk by Andrew Negus. Around 400 BC a hill fort was built, roughly oval in shape, about 400m in length and 2 miles north of present day Salisbury. It was known as Old Sarum (from Searoburh meaning fortress) with…
Find Out More »February 28, 2018|Reports
“Outshuts and Catslides (or where to keep the fridge freezer)” by Liz Lewis
At our February meeting, 71 members and guest were treated to an in-depth review of medieval and historic houses in the area by Liz Lewis, a long-time local resident and previous Curator of Winchester City Museum. Her research started about 50 years ago when she first came to Wickham. One objective of this research was…
Find Out More »February 19, 2018|News
The Wickham History Boards project is under way!
Wickham History Society, working with Wickham Parish Council, has secured Heritage Lottery Funding for the installation of History Boards around Wickham and a digital QR trail, allowing smartphone users to see more information on key buildings and sites as they walk around the village. The boards and QR trail will be in place by January…
Find Out More »January 31, 2018|Reports
“Suffragettes” by Paul King
Fifty nine Wickham History Society Members and Visitors came to our January talk celebrating the 100th Anniversary of women getting the vote in 1918. We all think we know that the suffragettes won women the vote at the end of the Great War – but Paul King, a local historian and dramatist demonstrated that a little…
Find Out More »December 19, 2017|Reports
“Pantomime and the Role of the Dame” by John Pitman
There was a very full house for the joint Wickham Society / Wickham History Society Christmas meeting on December 5th. The evening began with a presentation to Maggie and David Smith who are moving to be nearer their family. Maggie has fulfilled the role of Treasurer of the History Society for over 15 years with…
Find Out More »November 29, 2017|News
Summer Visit to Little Woodham
Wickham History Society joined with Wickham Society to enjoy a combined summer outing. We visited the Little Woodham Living History Experience, a 17th century village at Gosport. The villagers were pleased to tell us about their way of life and demonstrate their skills – the potter, blacksmith, weaver, lacemaker, herbalist, innkeeper, and the scribe. …
Find Out More »November 29, 2017|Reports
“Once Upon a Time in Wickham” by David Warwick
Just under 60 members and visitors came to hear David Warwick share his boyhood memories of Wickham and its people. David, a retired author of 40+ academic books and just one novel (“Chorus Endings” partially based in Wickham but with a changed name), is a member of the well-known Wickham family. Dorothy, his mother, was…
Find Out More »November 1, 2017|Reports
“SS London” by Simon Wills
51 members and visitors were treated to an well-researched and enthralling account of the loss of this Victorian ship, given by Simon Wills, a maritime genealogist. In 1866 the London was a modern ‘luxury’ vessel, travelling from London to Australia with 269 persons on board plus substantial cargo. The SS London was a “hybrid” at…
Find Out More »October 1, 2017|News
WHS at the Taste of Wickham 2017
Wickham History Society joined “Taste of Wickham” again this year with a display celebrating the ‘Butchers of Wickham’. Did you know we can trace the first known butcher in Wickham back to 1398 ? He was called John Boucher (John the Butcher)! There has been a butcher’s shop where Meon Valley Butcher’s is today for…
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