Last years Talks and Meetings
Thursday 3rd October 2019 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
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The Englishman's Castle is his Home
Speaker: Keith Cattell
The castle was strictly a private family fortification, literally brought over to this country by William the Conqueror as his “secret weapon” to defeat and subdue the English. It has been with us ever since, with some of the most remarkable examples being built in the 19th century. This talk is a look at our castles and how they have changed over the centuries.
Muxloe Castle ©English Heritage
Castle Drogo ©National Trust
Kenilworth Castle ©English Heritage
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Wednesday 16th October 7.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
The History of Willans Works in Rugby
Speaker: Alain Foote
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Retired Chartered Mechanical Engineer Alain Foote spent his entire working life at the Willans Works in Newbold Road, Rugby. Alain will outline the history of Willans & Robinson and describe how the company came to move to Rugby in the late 19th century. The presentation will then go on to describe how the works expanded during the 20th century before its gradual run down in the latter part of the century.
The talk will also include information on the wartime activities and the various changes in company ownership over the years. Details will also be given on the products made at the works.
Willans Works ©Our Warwickshire
Royal visit to Willans 1967 ©Rugby Observer
Willans Workforce ©Our Warwickshire
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Thursday 7th November 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
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The Old Naval College in Greenwich
Speaker: Derek Clark
Royal Naval College ©VisitLondon
Derek Clarke, who gave us previous outstanding presentations on the restoration of the Birmingham Back-to-Backs and of Tyntesfield, Somerset, returns to describe the extensive repair of all the external elements of the major buildings forming the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich. The privilege of repairing four of Sir Christopher Wren’s 18th century buildings with World Heritage status has to be a career special.
The presentation takes the audience on sky walk inspections, close up visuals of the highest quality stone decorations, and explains in detail the major obstacles that had to be overcome; including the part played by “Jason”.
The exceptional skills of the conservation workforce are illustrated to show the extent of their dedication.
Royal Naval College Chapel ©VisitLondon
Royal Naval College Painted Hall ©RNC
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Wednesday 20th November 7.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
Norfolk: Broads, Churches and Windmills
Speaker: Roger Hailwood
At the time of Domesday Book, Norfolk had the largest population of all English counties. Centuries of momentous changes have now left it with an exceptional number of ruined churches. Roger Hailwood’s talk is a tour of Norfolk taking in some of the notable churches, ruined or still working, and some of their surprising features and interiors, including an unusually large number with round towers; also taking in some interesting windmills and the experience of a little sailing on the rivers and Broads, with one of their true heroes.
Cley Windmill ©TourNorfolk
Norfolk Broads Scene ©Campsites.co.uk
Booton Church ©LiteraryNorfolk
Norfolk Broads Scene ©TourNorfolk
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Thursday 5th December 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
The English Civil War
Speaker: John Dacombe
Group of the English Civil War Society ©EnglishCivilWarSociety
John Dacombe has been a member of the Sealed Knot for 33 years, and his talk gives the background and causes of the English Civil War, describes weapons of the period, their use and historical military tactics, and takes in local events such as the taking of Rugby and the attack on Kilsby. It ends with an account of one of the local battles, either Edgehill or Naseby (Battlefield guides for both of these will be available).
John and his wife Liz come in 17th century kit and bring reproduction weapons and other kit from the period.
Women and the Civil War ©NationalArchives
Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar (Andrew Carrick Gow 1886) ©Olivercromwell.net
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Thursday 16th January 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
Rugby National Trust Association Annual General Meeting
Followed By :-
The Women's Land Army During World War I
Speaker: Helen Frost
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Helen Frost will give an illustrated talk about the quite incredible contribution made by this oft-forgotten, overlooked Army of women who during the Great War years were recruited mainly from towns and cities to work on the land, in large numbers, and often for the first time. She will also bring a display of photographs of the Women’s Land Army working in all their various roles, as well as a reproduction uniform.
At the Stables ©ImperialWarMuseum
Milking! ©ImperialWarMuseum
In the Fields ©ImperialWarMuseum
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Thursday 6th February 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
Information about the Summer 2020 Visits
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This will include (as usual) a retrospective look at the Summer 2019 visits based on your photos!.
Pork Pie Making on a visit to Melton Mowbray in May
Visit to Tyntesfield in June
Thanks to Pauline Springett for the pictures.
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Wednesday 19th February 7.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
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Railway Crime
Speaker: Mike Riley
Railway Crime ©DavidAndCharles
Mike Riley, who has given us previous lively talks on the Great Central Railway and Railway Accidents, returns to give a fascinating illustrated run-down of notable crimes on the railways of Britain during the last two hundred years. (We all know about the famous Great Train Robbery of 1963, but what of the murder of Elizabeth Camp, the first woman ever to be murdered aboard a train in Britain (1897), and of the Merstham Tunnel Mystery (1905)?)
Reading GWR Scene of Railway Fraud ©BerkshireHistory
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Thursday 5th March 2.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
Attingham Park
Speaker: Linda Thomas (NT)
Deer Park at Attingham ©NationalTrust
It is proposed to run a coach trip to Attingham Park following this talk, in June 2020.
Linda Thomas, from the National Trust team at Attingham Park near Shrewsbury, will give a talk about who lived at Attingham, the history of the house and the Hill family. It is a story of love and neglect, changing fortunes, revival and rediscovery.
It is proposed to run a coach trip to Attingham Park following this talk, in June 2020.
Picture Hall at Attingham ©ViewBritain
Attingham Park Exterior ©NationalTrust
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Wednesday 18th March 7.30pm Dunchurch Village Hall
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Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold
Speaker: Gillian White
In June 1520 the king of France and the king of England met in a field outside Calais to celebrate peace. The celebrations that accompanied this meeting have become known as the Field of Cloth of Gold because of their extravagance and luxury, a magnificence captured in the famous painting at Hampton Court. Textiles, armour, goldsmiths’ work, painting and even a dazzling temporary palace were all called upon to impress the watching world. The diplomatic negotiations were ultimately worthless but for Henry VIII and Francois I it was a chance to compete for honour and glory. This talk explores the history and especially the artistry of this magnificent yet futile event.
Field of Cloth of Gold (British School) ©RoyalCollectionTrust
Henry VIII at Field of Cloth of Gold ©TheTimes
Field of Cloth of Gold with Francis I and Henry VIII (John Gilbert, Victorian) ©ParlimentaryArtColloection
rugbynationaltrust