Details of outings, guided walks, projects, practical archaeology sessions, exhibitions and other events are announced at the monthly meetings. Members can also receive such announcements by email.
Wednesday 13th April 2011
Archaeological Facial Reconstruction
Dr. Martin Weaver
Dr. Martin Weaver became an authority on archaeological facial reconstruction following an earlier interest in archaeological osteology, the study of old bones. He now teaches courses on this subject at Cambridge University. He will tell how reconstruction is done, and will illustrate the technique with examples including that of an iron age skull found at Whitehall Farm Roman Villa near Nether Heyford.
See www.mweaver.co.uk
Wednesday 11th May 2011
Caroline Chisholm - A Remarkable Victorian Woman
Dr Carole Walker
Our speaker has written a book "A Saviour of Living Cargoes" about the life and work of Caroline Chisholm who has been known as "The Emigrant's Friend and Servant of God". Caroline, who was born in 1808 not far from Towcester, is so well known for her work with female immigrants in Australia that she has appeared on Australian banknotes.
Wednesday 8th June 2011
Who were the Victorians?
Dr. Matthew McCormack
Dr McCormack is a senior lecturer in history at Northampton University, and the author of two books. He will try to dispel some of the myths about the Victorians in connection with topics such as their work, humour and family life.
Wednesday 13th July 2011
Members night and Summer meeting.
Wednesday 14th September 2011
Town Planning and the Role of the Planning Consultant
John Shaw
John Shaw has been a chartered town planner for 36 years mostly in local government. He is Secretary of the Royal Town Planning Institute SW and Director of the Association of Historic Towns and Villages (ASHTAV) to which the Towcester and District Local History Society has belonged for many years. The talk will explain the role of the planner and community groups in the new planning system proposed in the Localism Bill.
Wednesday 12th October 2011
The Drydens at Canon Ashby
David Adams
David Adams was House Steward at Canons Ashby for twelve years. He will tell us about the history of the Dryden family and the house over the centuries.
Wednesday 9th November 2011
Pictures in the Parlour
Kevin Varty
Kevin Varty will illustrate the history of the Magic Lantern from the 17th century with a Magic Lantern Show featuring hand painted Victorian slides, early animated slides and photographs. Expect to see plenty of brass and polished mahogany.
Wednesday 14th December 2011
Christmas social event.
Wednesday 11th January 2012
The Heralds Visitations of Northamptonshire
Keith Lovell F.H.S.
Keith is a Fellow of the Heraldry Society. He will tell us how Henry VIII planned to tax the gentry who held coats of arms. He sent out Heralds to record their names and descriptions and to make them pay a registration fee for the privilege. Northamptonshire suffered three such visitations, and we will learn about the consequences.
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Fawsley and the Knightley Family
Colin Eaton
Colin, who used to work in the Local Studies department of Northampton Library, started his research on Fawsley some thirty years ago. He will speak on the varied and fluctuating fortunes of Fawsley Hall and estate and of the Knightley family.
Wednesday 14th March 2012
AGM