Alan Turton is a military historian and will talk about Basing House from its Tudor origins to it’s role in the English Civil War. Alan was curator at Basing House for twenty four years and has been involved in Civil War re-enactments at the site. Share this page

Why was the Spitfire fighter so important to Britain? Why was it produced in sheds and garages spread around Central Southern England? What was built in Hangar 5, Tadley? What happened to Hangar 5? Are there any Tadley Spitfires left Richard of TADS Project Group will tell us […]

The British love their pubs and history suggests our enjoyment of beer and brewing is longstanding. This talk is a gentle and hopefully amusing ramble through the history of brewing, breweries and pubs from Romans to the present day, with some examples of local pubs and breweries. As […]

Medieval Knights, Chaucer, a queen of France and a Civil War siege all feature in the story of Donnington Castle just outside Newbury. A small castle on a hilltop with commanding views. Only the gatehouse and an outline of the walls survive. Local historian David Peacock will talk […]

Three men – one kingdom – two great battles and an amazing embroidery. Was Harold the rightful king of England ? What changed ? In this talk Mike Cooper looks at England in 1066, at the rival claimants to the throne and the available evidence for what happened […]

A brief look at the story of  The Army Service Corps 1914-1918. Revealing a story of evolution, ‘passing the buck’ and meddling civilians. Share this page

Ian begins by describing the living conditions of servants in big houses and the importance of having servants. He will move on to describe what the jobs and lives of servants entailed, romantic opportunities, the ‘servant problem’ from 1901and how The Great War and Spanish Flu changed things. […]

This talk will be accompanied by a display and a video Share this page

Industrial and railway historian  Richard Marks will explore the impact of WW II upon Britain’s railways, and the important role that Britain’s four railway companies had in achieving victory in WW II. Discover the war work that was undertaken in the railway company works across the country and […]

Beatrice was a female aviation engineer who lived and worked in Hampshire. She was largely behind the development work which led to resolving the issues with the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Share this page

A TADS talk by Richard Marks Monday 12th February 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The railways came to Berkshire in the middle of the nineteenth century and according to history changed everything and created huge growth in the local […]

A TADS talk by Colin Oakes Monday 11th March 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The Versailles treaty of 1919 ended the war against Germany, but it is also seen as a great folly. It is more than 100 years […]

A TADS talk by Claire Tilson Monday 8th April 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The Vyne has been home to lords and ladies for over five centuries. Through the years it’s hosted Tudor kings and queens, been the home […]

A TADS talk by Mike Cooper Monday 13th May 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens, Reading commemorates a battle fought in Afghanistan in 1880. The lion is posed in snarling defiance to the north […]

A TADS talk by Tony Keep Monday 10th June 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU Tony Keep is a volunteer guide at the Thames Valley Police museum, Sulhampstead. He retired from Thames Valley Police as a Chief Constable in 1995 […]