KINGSCLERE - Its History and People

About the Kingsclere Heritage Association

Our meetings are held at
The Village Club, George Street, Kingsclere, Hampshire, RG20 5NH

Management Committee:

Hon Chairman - Mike Leah,
Hon Secretary - Rachel Sharland,
Hon Treasurer - Peter Goff,
Membership Sec.- Peter Goff
Committe members - Helen Gore, Nova Saunderson
Dig Coordinator - Janet Bond,

Our purpose is to research and record the history of the community of Kingsclere which lies outside the official archives and to interpret this for the benefit of the community by combining official and new records in publications and displays which will enable the people of Kingsclere to become aware of the rich heritage of the community from the Bronze and Iron Ages through Roman, Saxon and Norman times to the present day.

We aim to:

record material which is currently in private hands either obtaining custody of originals or, where this is not possible, obtaining copies
add to existing sound archives by recording the memories of past and present residents
work closely with the Hampshire Record Office and other archives to create a record of source materials and, where possible, to obtain copies of archival records to make them available to the community
use the facilities of the Hampshire Record Office for the safe storage of important original material found during our researches
publish our research whenever possible
hold exhibitions from time to time
provide a forum in which local history research can continue in the future
invite speakers on associated topics to talk to members.

Help us to achieve these aims by joining the Kingsclere Heritage Association.
The annual subscription is £10.00 per person. Members benefit from arranged visits to museums and historic sites outside normal hours for a nominal charge and also talks by visiting experts in various aspects of British history and heritage. Our meetings are held in the Village Club for which there is a charge of £1 to cover costs, non-members £2.

A PDF version of the membership form can be accessed from HERE which can be printed off and sent to us.

Meetings in 2009
All held in the Village Club, 35 George Street, Kingsclere at 7.30pm
There is a small admission charge of £1 (non-members £2) to cover costs.

October 22nd 2009
Our AGM followed by an update on the Tidgrove Excavation by Kris Strutt and Prof. David Hinton

November 17th 2009
We have a joint talk with the Family History group from the library about Researching Your Family History. The speaker is coming from the Hampshire Record Office and is sure to be full of helpful information for anyone considering researching their family history.

December 17th 2009
For our Christmas meeting we have Elizabeth Proudman coming to speak to us about Jane Austin and her Hampshire family. As I am sure most are aware Jane Austin spent 8 years living at Chawton, which is just the otherside of Alton and so I hope that you will find this talk of both local and general interest.

Archaeological Projects (in co-operation with Raleigh Place and Southampton University)

Tidgrove Warren Excavation - The house of King Henry II
Over the last four years we have been carrying out investigations into the site of the Medieval Lodge complex at Tidgrove Warren Farm.

We are able to continue the dig at Tidgrove in September 2009 having secured sufficient funding.