Barking and District Historical Society

BARKING AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
www.barkinghistory.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2014 NOTICES

SOCIETY NEWS

Lillian Watt, a former BDHS committee member, died in December just short of her 75th birthday.  Lillian  was a blunt speaking no nonsense Tynesider with a great sense of humour and hearty laugh. Before her retirement she worked in Barking and Dagenham care homes. She had many interests and was a volunteer at Eastbury House, the costume department at the  Kenneth More Theatre and the Westminster Abbey bookshop; she also did voluntary work for the Ilford branch of Diabetes UK and the Barking and Dagenham Talking Newspaper. Richard Chapman represented the society at her funeral.

Richard Chapman, Irene Flitcroft and I recently attended the funeral of Brian Burton, former president of Essex Congress, at Corbets Tey. He had many interests and was a member of over 50 societies and organisations. Brian was a guest of honour  at our 75 th anniversary celebrations in 2009.

The society was also represented at the funeral of Peter Midlane, stalwart of St. Margaret’s Church, Barking. Peter updated the guide to St. Margaret’s shortly before his death. A tribute to Peter is on our website.

Our next meeting is on Monday 3rd March when Martyn Lockwood delivers an illustrated talk:Their name liveth for evermore: the unknown soldier and war memorials.

The first coach trip of the year is to the Beth Chatto Gardens (am) and Layer Marney Tower (pm) on Sunday 6th April.  Total cost is £21.45 which includes coach and  entrance fees.

Three other trips are planned: Colchester Military Festival (Red Arrows, Military Wives Choir, massed pipes and drums, re-enactments and much more) on Sunday 6th July,  St. Albans Cathedral Flower Festival on Sunday 28th September and Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fair on Sunday 30th  November.  Booking sheets are on the information table.


EVENTS

The next Chadwell Heath Historical Society meeting takes place at Wangey Chapel, Wangey Road, Chadwell Heath at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th  February with a talk by John Neal on Christopher Wren: his life and work . Visitors welcome £1.50. Telephone 020 8590 4659 for more details.

The South Sea Bubble  is the subject of a talk by  Jef Page to the Friends of Valence House at Valence House Visitors’ Centre on Tuesday 11th February at  3pm. Visitors £1.50. Telephone 01708 769946 for further details.

Julian Whybra is the guest speaker at the Newham History Society on Tuesday 11th February . His talk, Lost on the Somme, takes place at 7.45pm at the Didsbury  Centre, Didsbury Close, East Ham, E6 2RX. Non-members £2.

Ilford Historical Society is hosting a talk on Monday 10th February by Dave Swinden entitled Problems of policing London in the early 1800s. Ilford Hospital  Chapel, Ilford Hill, IG1 2AT. Visitors welcome £2.

The next Friends of Valence House Book Sale is on Saturday 15th February  at the Visitors’ Centre, Valence House, Becontree Avenue. 10am-3pm. Admission free.

There is a World War I exhibition at Valence House Museum until 28th June 2014.

Valence is also hosting a Maritime History Afternoon on Saturday 22nd March 2pm-4pm with a talk by Mark Watson on Barking and Dagenham’s fishing and riverside industries.

Bryan Tester has a few seats left for a coach trip to Scotney Castle, Kent on Saturday 17th May. Coach £8.50 castle entrance fee £11.30 (free for National Trust members).

PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR INFORMATION TABLE FOR DETAILS OF MORE EVENTS, FREE LEAFLETS, ETC.

John Blake – Chairman
          mailto:barkinghistorical@hotmail.com  0208 597 7210