Local and Social History

We are a friendly group, who are interested in the local history of Basingstoke and Deane and the surrounding area plus topics and discussions, based on how our lives have changed. We visit local history sites, generally in the better weather and enjoy presentations by our members and discussions indoors, when the weather is not so good. You would be welcome to join us.

If you are interested, please use the Contact Us form at the top of this page to get in touch with us.

Programme for 2023/24

In September 2023, we will meet to choose from the following topics for 2023/24:

· Whitchurch Silk Mill

· Recycling in Victorian times

· Napoleons tomb at Farnborough Abbey

· The Holy Ghost Cemetery

· Basing House

· How our shopping has changed

· Changes in social attitudes

· Was life really better in the 1960s?

· History and influence of newspapers

· Changes in leisure activities over the last 150 years.

· Nostalgia - looking through rose tinted glasses

· How Christmas has changed over the years?

Recent Activity

· A guided tour around the Basingstoke History Trail

· A Christmas party , with a talk about a privateer from the 16th century who had Basingstoke connections. We then broke into teams for a 4 round local history quiz on Basingstoke and other parts of Hampshire, whilst enjoying a drink, nibbles and cakes.

· AD 878 exhibition at Winchester

· A guided tour of Silchester Roman town (Calleva)

· A talk on the history of the Manydown Estate

If you are interested, please use the Contact Us form at the top of this page to get in touch with us.