Wed. 19th March 2025
Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire in the Domesday Book
Julian Hunt
Julian Hunt is well-known in the area for his knowledge of local history. This time he will discuss Sir Charles Darby, author of The Domesday Geography of South East England, who lived in Berkhamsted. He was a towering figure in historical geography and in the study of the Domesday Book. This talk will be a celebration of his pioneering work.
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Wed. 21st May 2025
What is Oral History?
Jonathan Kempster
Jonathan works in the Cold War & Late 20th Century section of the Documents & Sound Archive at the Imperial War Museum, and is knowledgeable about the value of oral history. He will explain what it involves, and would very much like to encourage more members of the Society to join the small group of interviewers in the Society whom he trained just before the lockdown. There is so much potential in gathering oral history for the museum's collection. Expect something a bit different!
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Wed 16th July 2025
Hidden Tring: Undiscovered corners and curiosities
Wendy Austin
Wendy, a member of our Society and the author of many books on different aspects of Tring history, will give a unique view of some of the unknown parts of our town. Not to be missed!
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Wed. 17th Sept. 2025
Sulgrave Manor and the Washington Family
Martin Sirot-Smith
Martin Sirot-Smith is a former Director of Sulgrave Manor, the home of George Washington’s ancestors. His talk will be presented in full Tudor costume as Lawrence Washington. We will learn about the property in Warwickshire as well as the family background. This talk comes with fulsome recommendations.
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Wed. 19th Nov. 2025
John Hampden, Rebel or Patriot?
Dr Beth Rogers
What made a modest gentlemen from the Chilterns into a national leader in his own time, and a beacon of liberty for the American Founding Fathers? This talk is an analytical biography of John Hampden, covering the three most influential contributions he made to English history and his legacy. The speaker is Chair of the John Hampden Society.
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Wed. 21st Jan.2026
Metal Detecting around Tring
Phil Wilcock
Phil is an enthusiastic metal detector who has donated some very interesting local finds to our Museum. He will talk about what is involved, what the pleasures are and what to do when you find real treasure.
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Wed. 18th March 2026
Neolithic Cursus Monuments
David Saunders
The archaeologist David Saunders has been investigating cursus monuments which are the largest form of linear Neolithic ditch monuments. He presents his provocative findings in Buckinghamshire and the Ouse Valley, including Cheddinton and Ivinghoe Beacon, and his theory to explain them.
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Wed. 20th May 2026
Ordnance Survey Maps
Frank Iddiols
Following on his popular talk in 2025 about Bench Marks, Frank will enlighten us about aspects of Ordnance Surveys that we never knew.
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