Bidford and District History Society

Bidford and District History Society started formally in September 2006 and has nearly 150 paid-up members. The aim of the society is to explore, through speakers and visits to places of interest locally and further afield, subjects of historical interest.

Membership for a year is £15 per person, payable in September. Non-members may pay £2.50 each visit. Refreshments will be available after meetings.

Subjects in 2006 ranged from Bidford's place in early Anglo-Saxon England - very important, as Droitwich salt was a big source of revenue - to the names behind those on the War Memorial in the First World War, the history of the Christmas Card and, most recently, a fascinating concert of early music (mediaeval to 16th Century) Christmas Carols, played by the Warwickshire County Youth Waits on (reproduction) period instruments, after which mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by everyone.

The programme for 2007 will be equally varied and interesting, including one on 'Shakespeare and the locality'.

The society has made an excellent start, with an average of 100 people attending each meeting.

Reports from Previous Meetings

• Fri 21 September 2007 - Domesday Book.
• Fri 19 January 2007 - Regional dialects.

Programme: 2007/2008

Meetings are usually held on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm in either St Laurence Church, or the Church Hall.

• Fri 19 October - The Gunpowder Plot: Marie McDonald
• Fri 16 November - The Dieppe Raid: Bob Marshall
• Fri 14 December - Christmas Traditions from the Past: Shephanus Mastoris and company
• Fri 16 January 2007 - Medieval Pilgrims: Tim Portrt
• Fri 15 February - Family History Sources at the County Record Office: Bob Eyre
• Fri 14 March - Simon de Montfort: Dr John Maddicott
• Fri 18 April - The Battle of Worcester: Amanda Lunt
• Fri 9 May - Review of the Archaeological Project: Christina Evans
• Fri 13 June - Them and Us, a D-Day Briefing: Paul Thompson and Alex Thorn