Mid-Thorngate History Society

Purpose

To advance the education of the public in the archaeology and history of Lockerley, East and West Dean, and East and West Tytherley, as well as the surrounding areas.

 
History

On 19th January 1983, a meeting was held in King Edward's Hall, West Tytherley, with a talk on "Saving Hampshire's Heritage" by Kevin Stubbs - Sr. Conservation officer, Historic Buildings Bureau.

Following the meeting it was decided that a working group should set up a local history society to cover Lockerley, East and West Dean, and East and West Tytherley with meetings in each village hall in turn, as well as outside events.

The name "Mid-Thorngate" was adopted because these villages cover the middle section of the historic "Thorngate Hundred" of Hampshire, and was less of a tongue-twister than "Thorngate 100 - Tytherley, Lockerley, and Dean Society".

 
Meetings

Talks (usually with slide shows) are currently scheduled for the Third Wednesday of the month, with outside events in the summer months on either Wednesdays or Saturdays. Posters are displayed at each village hall noticeboard (Lockerley Memorial Hall, King Edward's Hall - West Tytherley, and King George's Hall - West Dean), the Lockerley Shop and Post Office, as well as being published in The Newsletter, The Romsey Advertiser, and this website.

 
Funding

Although there is a brief AGM in our November talk each year (combined with the first Christmas Party of the year!), there are no formal annual dues paid to the society by members. Each event has an admission fee of £1.50, and outside events vary as to costs involved for the venue. The funds are used to pay hall rental and related needs pertaining to the running of the society. None of the officers are paid. We are a registered charity with the Charities Commission.

The current officers are: Julian Mitchell - Chair, Cerridwen Connelly - Secretary, and Keith Hawkins - Treasurer.

 
Contact us:

For information regarding the society and forthcoming events, please contact:
Julian Mitchell: 01980 863101 JulianM05@aol.com or
Cerridwen Connelly 01794 341463 Cerridwen.Connelly@btopenworld.com

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The Mid-Thorngate History Society 2008 Programme

Wednesday 27th February 7.45pm at West Tytherley Village Hall: Our usual concise AGM, followed by a talk and slideshow by Margaret Baskerville on "The History of Bentley Wood". £1.50 admission includes refreshments following the talk.

Wednesday 26th March 7.45pm at West Dean Village Hall: A talk and slideshow by Jake Simpkin on "Southampton from the Blitz to D-Day". £2. admission includes refreshments following the talk.

Wednesday 23rd April 7.45pm at Lockerley Memorial Hall: Local beekeeper/honey producer John Hanks will speak on "Bees and Beekeeping". £2. admission includes refreshments following the talk.

Wednesday 28th May 7.45pm at West Tytherley Village Hall: A talk by Norman Thorne: "Major Robert Poore and The Winterslow Land Court". £2. admission includes refreshments following the talk.

Saturday 21st June, meet at the Mottisfont Abbey Gardens entrance at 2pm for 2.15pm start: A visit to Mottisfont Abbey House and Gardens on the Summer Solstice! £7.50 admission (National Trust members: free admission). Phone Julian on 01980 863101 to let us know you are coming!

Saturday 19th July 10.30am: Guided tour of "The Weald and Downland Museum" (near Chichester) at 11am, followed by a picnic (*please bring food and drink!) at the on-site lake (with cover if weather requires), followed by a tour of the Gridshell Wood-trussed Building Workshop at 1.30pm (also on-site). £8.50 admission covers all the festivities on our Summer Outing! Phone Julian on 01980 863101 for more details, directions, and ride-sharing options!

Saturday 4th October 2:30pm at West Dean Village Hall: "West Dean Reminiscences" - historic photos, artefacts, and speakers on the history of this unique village on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border. Free admission, includes refreshments.

Wednesday 29th October 7.45pm at Lockerley Memorial Hall: John Lang will be speaking on the official report on "The Sinking of the Titanic". £6. admission includes refreshments and glass of wine following the talk.

Wednesday 26th November 7.45pm at West Tytherley Village Hall: Simon Moore will be speaking on " Eating, Cutlery and Dining Customs in British History". This will be followed by our early Christmas Party featuring seasonal food and wine. £2. admission includes refreshments.

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