East Woodhay Local History Society’s programme of talks for
Talks Programme 2023 – 2024
Venue & Time: Village Hall, Heath End, starting at 8pm.
Monday 18th September 2023: Jonathan Hopson: The Story of Camp Hopson
Jonathan is a member of the society and also a member of the Hopson family which ran Newbury’s department store for many years. He will tell us the story of how the Camp and Hopson families came together and how their two businesses amalgamated.
Monday 16th October 2023: Harry Wrightson: Captain Hardy
Harry’s talk will bring to life what it was like to serve in Nelson’s navy. It will involve a replica cannon and a serving of grog with ships biscuits. We should look forward to an exciting evening!
Monday 20st November 2023: David Peacock: The River Kennet through History
Always a popular speaker, David will explore the changing life of the river from the earliest settlements on its banks to the importance of the mills and the canal traffic later in its history.
Monday 15th January 2024: AGM and members’ talks
Monday 19th February 2024: Pragna Hay: Ugandan Asians at Greenham Common 50 years ago
Pragna came to Greenham Common with her family just over 50 years ago.
They were refugees from Idi Amin’s Uganda and came to out part of the UK to find a new life, safe from persecution. In her talk she will describe their experiences and how they built a new life here.
Monday 18th March 2024: Penelope Stokes: Georgian Newbury
Penny is a well-known local history author and her most recent book is ‘Georgian Newbury’. In her talk she will focus on some of the stories and characters of this important period in Newbury’s history.
