The Local Government Act of 1972 saw the boundary between Oxfordshire and Berkshire changed with many local areas being moved from Berkshire into Oxfordshire. Prior to this change the County of Berkshire actually extended almost into the City of Oxford. The Boundary change resulted in the main line between Oxford to Didcot and from Didcot…
Black Country heritage campaigner Keith Hodgkins describes the area’s beers and breweries and its rich brewing heritage. For details about how to participate visit: https://www.sias.me.uk/index.htm
An informal evening of presentations by members, including slides, talks, demonstrations, artefacts, etc. At Silver Street there is also a free-of-charge Book Exchange and SIAS publications are on sale at reduced price for members. There is no charge to SIAS members, GUESTS are welcome at £3.00
This will be an important meeting as we will discus the future of the Society. The Diamond Centre is a former school operated by Sprowston Council and houses a number of community uses. It can be accessed from the outer ring road, from School Lane which is between the Wroxham Road roundabout and the…
Evening talk by Mary Burgess, Local Studies Librarian at the Cambridgeshire Collection. (and Mince Pies!) All welcome. There will be no Meetings in January & February 26', but we will restart in March with a programme running into & including June. Titles/Subjects currently TBA’. Probably, "The Airship Heritage" in April and, an I.A. Film Night…
Beer was almost certainly brewed in Newbury before it was Newbury, but the business of the Common Brewer – brewing beer for wholesale to homes and drinking establishments – is more recent. Evidence of such businesses in Newbury is sketchy at best until the 18th Century, and the number of brewers was small. However, in the 1860s…
Mine explorer Ben Sumpter talks about mining engineering in Cornwall, where a distinctive and technologically advanced approach to deep metal mining was developed, which was then exported across the globe and was fundamental to the shaping of modern mining technology. For details about how to participate visit: https://www.sias.me.uk/index.htm
We are looking for short (20mins max) presentations from members. If any member wishes to have a practice session please make contact with me (Philip): nocerous@ntlworld.com Note 8th not 1st to avoid New Years Day. Zoom meetings avoid travelling in the dark winter months and allow us to enjoy speakers who may not have…
Dr Charlotte Coles describes Victorian funeral practices, the planning of cemeteries, early crematoria, and London’s Necropolis Railway. Although Victorian culture embodied many traditions and practices that may now seem unusual, they also introduced innovations that are widely accepted today. There is no charge to SIAS members, guests are welcome at £3. At Silver Street…
Speaker: Dr Richard Marks
Bracknell is well known for being one of the ‘new towns’ built after the Second World War to relieve the pressure of housing and industry in London – but the history of Bracknell goes back much further than that. Early hunter gatherers, Iron Age people and Romans have all called Bracknell their home. Hidden in…
Dr Barrie Trinder explains why the main mill at Shrewsbury Flaxmill/Maltings is a landmark in the history of construction. It is the first building in the world to have a structural frame of iron, and is the ancestor of all iron and steel buildings. Completed by 1800, to spin fibre from flax plants into thread…
