Village History Group

The Welton History group is run by Jackie Hibbert, and has a full schedule of interesting talks usually taking place in the village hall. A copy of the current programme can be downloaded here.

25 Sep 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Stephen Wass	The Archaeology of Farnborough Hall Gardens Over five years, Stephen led an archaeological project for the National Trust, to aid the restoration of the gardens at Farnborough Hall. Find out what was uncovered there. In May, there will be opportunity to visit the Hall with Stephen as guide, to see the results of the project.
23 Oct 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Andy Chapman	In Search of Northampton Castle Little remains now to show where Northampton Castle was, but once it was one of the most important Royal Castles in England. Archaeology has revealed what it was like.
27 Nov 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Martin Heath	“Nation shall speak peace unto nation” – 100 years of the BBC November sees the return of one of our favourite speakers, Martin Heath, speaking on a subject close to his heart; the BBC.
22 Jan 24 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Jackie Hibbert	The Quest for the Knights Templar in Middle England For two centuries, The Knights Templar were an established order in England, then overnight it all came to an end, leading to legends of secret tunnels, treasure and intrigue. This journey takes us around some of the buildings they have left behind and tells their story (without the fictitious embellishments).
26 Feb 24 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Stephen Barker	The Battle of Cropredy Bridge Cropredy lies to the north of Banbury towards Daventry and was a strategic crossing point of the river Cherwell. On 29th June 1644, The Royalist army and Parliamentary army fought over who had control of Cropredy Bridge.
25 Mar 24 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Jon Dacombe	A soldier in the English Civil War John brings reproduction equipment that a civil war soldier would have used in the seventeenth century. This is the second of our civil war themed presentations.
22 Apr 24 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	William Ruff	Henry Garnett and the Gunpowder Plot (History in a Little Brass Box) Many of us heard about Robert Catesby when we visited Ashby St. Ledgers in 2023. A major influence on Robert’s thinking was the Jesuit Priest, Henry Garnett, the last man to be executed for the Gunpowder Plot. William has a little brass box commemorating a miracle attributed to Henry, which he will bring with him. As he reveals the secrets of the box, we will learn more about Henry Garnet, his intriguing life and the turbulent times in which he lived.
22 May 24 2 pm Farnborough Hall Admission: £5	Stephen Wass	Farnborough Hall and Gardens with Stephen Wass Following the talk back in September, this is an opportunity to see first hand the restored gardens, under the guidance of Stephen Wass. There will also be opportunity to visit the house. Teas, etc. are available in the village [Usual meeting rate of £5 (to pay for our guide), there is also a NT entry on arrival].
24 Jun 24 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £5	Mel Harvey	The History and Mystery of Punch and Judy A real treat to finish off our year! Mel has been on various TV shows and is a seasoned performer. This is also our social, so bring your own drinks, glasses & nibbles and enjoy the entertainment.

Archive

28 Feb 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Kate Mawer	Uncovering the History of a Northamptonshire Farmhouse Kate has spent considerable time researching the history of her own home and is now a mine of information about where to find sources and how to use them. She comes recommended by another History Group who really enjoyed her talk.
28 Mar 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Deborah Hayter	Northamptonshire and its Hearth Taxes Deborah is a teacher from Oxfordshire with a passion for History. Come along and hear about the Hearth Taxes; what? why? when? and how can we use the information? The Northamptonshire Hearth Taxes records are available at The County Record Office – who knows, perhaps you will want to visit and see them after this presentation.
25 Apr 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Andrew Plumridge	The Follies of Northamptonshire Andrew is a founder member of the charity, The Folly Fellowship. He is an authority on all things ‘follyish’ (if such a word exists). Where are there follies in Northamptonshire, what defines a folly and what were they for?
23 May 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Jackie Hibbert	The History of Welton in Five Hats and a Wig The story of six significant moments in Welton’s History, spanning seven centuries, told through the eyes of six women of Welton. Real events and real people. And yes, I really do wear the hats and a wig but not all at the same time!
27 Jun 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Bert Manton	Social Evening and Bygones Quiz A real treat to round off the year. Bert has an amazing collection of old tools and machines, some of which he will be bringing along this evening. We shall have some fun working out what they are and learn a lot at the same time. Arranged around tables this evening, so please bring your own drinks and glasses. Savoury Nibbles provided.
26 Sep 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Stephen Wass	The Archaeology of Stowe Landscape Gardens Stephen is the Archaeologist leading a recent project at Stowe. In 2019, 2020 and 2021 he has been involved in the excavation of some of the “hidden” garden features. Come along and find out what lies hidden underground at Stowe Landscape Garden!
24 Oct 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Richard Blacklee	The Notorious Culworth Gang of South Northamptonshire During the Eighteenth Century, The Culworth Gang terrorised South-West Northamptonshire for nearly twenty years. It’s such an exciting story, it should have been made into a film!
28 Nov 22 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Laura Malpas	Secrets and Scandals of Canon’s Ashby Who can resist a secret or a good scandal? It seems Canon’s Ashby has both… No spoilers for this one!
7 Dec 22 10.30 am Cost approx £19		Private tour of Holdenby House with hot drink & cake More details nearer the event. MUST be pre-booked and paid in advance.
23 Jan 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £2		Historical Trivia Quiz and Social Evening Bring your own drinks, glasses & nibbles. No need to organise a team in advance – we will make sure everyone has a friend and a good laugh.
27 Feb 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Andy Chapman	Prehistoric Northamptonshire Now retired, Andy worked as a field archaeologist in Northamptonshire from the 1970s, specialising in prehistoric and medieval archaeology.
27 Mar 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Deborah Hayter	Northamptonshire and its Hearth Taxes Deborah is a teacher from Oxfordshire with a passion for History. The Northamptonshire Hearth Taxes records are available at The County Record Office – who knows, perhaps you will want to visit and explore them further after this presentation.
24 Apr 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Anne Langley	History is all around you A very different presentation this time; based on a journey in the Midlands, Anne describes different features and how they reveal the history of the area. You will look at your surroundings in a new light!
22 May 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Wendy Raybould	Mary Burbridge – The innkeepers widow Wendy has spoken to us before and we loved her! This talk is based on her own local research and involves piecing together the life of an 18th Century Woman in West Haddon against the backdrop of enclosure, turnpiking and textile production.
26 Jun 23 7.30 pm Village Hall Admission: £4	Jackie Hibbert	An Englishman in the American Civil War A letter from America found in the Northamptonshire Archives led to research about Charles Coleman. He was born in Murcott (Long Buckby), became a successful businessman and bought a house in Welton. Two years later he was in America taking part in the American Civil War. What prompted him to go? What was the national and political background to this? What were conditions like? What happened to him and those he left behind?

There is no formal membership of Welton History Group; if something interests you, then you are welcome to come along.

Over the year, we aim to financially break even. Our admission charges cover the cost of speakers, hire of the village hall, insurance and any other costs.

We have a small lending library of local history books and documents about the village. You can borrow something at one meeting and return it at the next.

If there is sufficient demand, we can organise a trip to Northamptonshire Archives to research various aspects about the village or a session where people can share their research with each other.

For further information – please email (jackie.hibbert@rocketmail.com).

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