15th April

Richard Deacon

Historic London Lost

Richard lived in the capital during the 1970s and 1980s when he photographed many scenes which have changed irrevocably. He will take us to visit these lost scenes again.

7-30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

13th May

Gordon Abbott

My Little Evacuee

Gordon explains the government policy that led to the evacuation of London school children in 1939 and then his own experiences as one of the evacuees.

7-30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

17th June (Afternoon)

Derek Smeathers

Northamptonshire Postal Service in War-time

The postal services in Northamptonshire during the Great War are described by Derek who will be remembered for one of his earlier talks to the Society.

2.30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

8th July

Dorothy Stopps

Cogenhoe Bells ring out: 100 years on

A new peal of bells was cast and hung in St Peter’s Church in 1909. Dorothy and friends will be taking us through the history of bell-ringing with a talk and demonstration.

Note the time and place

7.00pm, St Peters Church Cogenhoe. Car-parking and refreshments at St Peters’ Centre.

5th August

The Annual Whiston Lecture – Dr Anne Tarver

Bawdy Courts

Author of Church Court Records, Dr Tarver will describe the ecclesiastical courts which heard cases relating to defamation, sexual misconduct, marital breakdown, tithes and disputes relating to wills. Such cases often relied on local witnesses giving information about their neighbours.

7-30 pm, at St Mary’s Church Whiston. Follow signs off Castle Ashby Road and park in private lane. Allow time for walking to the Church.

29th August

Visit to the Piddington Roman Villa Museum

A guided tour of the Piddington Museum and the nationally significant dig of the Roman Villa.

2-00pm at the Piddington Roman Villa Museum. Cost £3-50 per person.

23rd September (Afternoon)

David Hewitt

Life and Times of the Culworth Gang

The Culworth Gang were a notorious band of a dozen or more thieves who terrorised the communities along the Old Banbury Lane for more than 15 years. How did it all end?

2.30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

28th October

Steve and Jo Parish

The Celts in Roman Britain

Steve and Jo return to re-enact life in 60AD during the time of Boudicca and the Celtic revolt against the Roman occupation of East Anglia.

7-30pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

9th December

Professor Jon Stobart

Shopping in the 18th Century

Professor John Stobart shows us how, contrary to popular belief, marketing and shopping was remarkably complex and sophisticated in 18th century England.

7-30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

Seasonal refreshments will be served.

28th December

Annual Christmas Walk

Ted Barnes

A circular guided walk taking in Cotton Hill, Jerusalem Steps, Cogenhoe Firs, Whiston, returning to Cogenhoe via the old village.

1.30 pm , Cogenhoe Village Green (car parking available nearby at St Peters’ Centre).

Sensible clothes and footwear essential. Mulled wine and mince pies served from 3-00 pm in St Peters’ Centre – please leave muddy boots at the door. As always, non-walkers most welcome.

6th January (Afternoon)

Richard Moisey

The Burning Car Mystery

Known as the Rouse murder, this infamous incident in Northamptonshire history remains a mystery to this day with the identity of the victim still unknown.

2.30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

10th February

Dr Cathy Smith

Early Modern Witchcraft and the Northamptonshire Witches.

Cathy, from the University of Northampton will examine why a belief in demonic witchcraft developed in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and the impact it had on Northamptonshire.

7-30 pm York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

5th March (Friday Evening)

2009 AGM followed by:

Brian Giggins

Northampton Castle

Using maps, plans and pictures, Brian will take us on a virtual tour of Northampton’s lost castle. Once a seat of the Royal Court, it featured in many stories including the exile of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Beckett.

York Room, Cogenhoe Village Hall, York Avenue, Cogenhoe.

AGM, 7-30 pm.

Annual Lecture, 7-45 pm.