Battle of Hastings: regime change 11th century style, by Mike Cooper – 12 May 2025

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 […]

The Invisible Corps – WWI, by Roy Larkin – 9 June 2025

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

The Real Downton Abbey, by Ian Porter – 14 July 2025

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. […]

A Greenham Common Childhood, by Maureen McBarron – 8 September 2025

Maureen will describe her childhood and growing up in the Greenham Common area. Share this page

British Railways during WWII, by Richard Marks – 13 October 2025

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 Shilling – female aviation engineer, by Ken Fostekew – 10 November 2025 (CANCELLED)

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

Railways in Victorian Berkshire – 12 February 2024

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 […]

The Versailles Treaty: failure or folly – 11th March 2024

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 […]

500 Years of the Vyne, Basingstoke – 8th April 2024

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 […]

General Brock and the Maiwand Lion – 13th May 2024

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 […]

The Great Train Robbery – 10th June 2024

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 […]

Stratfield Saye House – a virtual tour – 8th July 2024

A TADS talk by Michael Aris/Richard Bennett Monday 8th July 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU This will be a return visit to TADS by Michael Aris and Richard Bennett who have previously given talks on the life and campaigns […]

The Complete History of Thatcham – 9th September 2024

A TADS talk by Dr Nick Young Monday 9th September 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU From the earliest finds of the Stone Age to the Romans, Saxons and the present day. The second of a two – part talk […]

Loddon Valley Lions – 14 October 2024

A TADS talk by John Goodchild Monday 14th October 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU John Goodchild has been a member of Loddon Valley Lions for 37 years, during which time he was National Chair of the Lions in the […]

Roller and Burberry – 11 November 2024

A TADS talk by Ian Burn (TADS Project Group) Monday 11th November 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU Multi-talented Tadley resident Major George C Roller (1856-1941) was an artist, a soldier who served in both the Boer War and World […]