Thatcham Historical Society

A large audience gathered tonight, 18th October, to listen to Richard Fleet’s talk “50 years in space.” Richard showed some examples, from the 1940’s onwards, of what we though space may be like, some now seem quite strange, others were clearly very optimistic. Some of the early spacecraft were shown including Vanguard and Sputnik. The race to put a man in space was won by the Russians when Yuri Gagarin entered orbit in 1961. The race to get to the moon was then on!

The first two parts in the series are set in the late Roman era on the archaeological site at Beedon, where Bron is born and brought up. In Part III, she sails to Italia, in the wake of the returning legions. Book IV, The Scarlet Seal, was published a couple of months ago (details below). Bron is now in Rome and meets Emperor Honorius at the chariot races. The year is AD 408 and the city is being besieged by its pagan enemies, who this time accept a large bribe to go away.

Society day trip to Blenheim Palace will take place on 24th September 2011. At present we aim to leave at 9.30am from Kennet School. You may park in the school car park, not the leisure centre. We will leave Blenheim at around 4.30pm. Please note, the gardens open at 10am, but the Palace is not open to 10.30am. Please ensure you have suitable outdoor clothing incase of bad weather. Any problems, please contact Nick.

Join herbal historian Julie Wakefield, for this in-the-field foray into Sandham’s plants and their hidden histories. In this guided meander through our beautiful wild flower orchard she will share this vast knowledge, showing us how to identify and use – as well as the traditions and folklore behind - the plants we find on our way.

Event will commence at 11am and continue till approximately 3.30pm

Two levels of ticket are available –

Despite the weather, hundreds turned out to witness the Freedom of the Town event on 20th July 2011. This is one of the few events that you know is historic at the time it happens. Dr Nick Young was present to record it for prosperity, for all to enjoy.

Freedom of Thatcham Town from Nick Young on Vimeo.