My Talks

I am often asked to give talks on my local (Thatcham and Newbury) history. Below is a list of the talks I have given since 2009 (most are approx. 1 hour long). If required I am also able to present over Zoom so if you want a talk face-to-face or online I am happy to accomodate. I am also asked now and then to give talks about CPR and defibrillators. Please note I am not a medical doctor but having been teaching first aid (Emergency Life Support) for a number of years more than happy to talk about CPR and defibrillators.

A. Thatcham

1. A history of Thatcham Pubs
   • A brief history of the pub and brewing followed by the main part of a look at the pubs of Thatcham (including Crookham, Cold Ash and Ashmore Green).
2. – Merged with another –
3. – Merged with another –
4. Charities of Thatcham
   • A short talk (20 to 30 mins) looking at some of the historical charities in Thatcham including Alice Bye and John Hunt to the more recent.
5. A brief history of Thatcham
   • This talk starts from the earliest finds of the Stone Age to the Romans and Saxons right up to the present.
6. Curious facts of old Thatcham
   • A talk looking at the lesser known facts.
7. Echoes of Thatcham
   • This talk looks through the history of Thatcham from the stories that appear in newspapers.
8. Historic buildings of Thatcham
   • A three part series of talks looking at a selection of the historic buildings in Thatcham, some long gone and some of which still exist. Part 1 looks at the buildings along the A4 area. Part 2 & 3 look at buildings to the north and south of the A4.
9. – Merged with another –
10. Personalities and places of Thatcham
    • Talk showing and discussing the historic people and locations of Thatcham from the well known to the less well known. This includes people from Saxon and Norman times, and right up to the present.
11. Thatcham in old photos
    • A tour around Thatcham through the camera using a mixture of old and newer photographs. There are two parts to this talk.
12. Thatcham & The Great War
    • Talk about Thatcham during World War I, what was Thatcham like during the period. Also includes soldiers from Thatcham, those that did and did not survive. This is designed to go with the “Soldiers in Thatcham Cemetery” walk.
13. Thatcham Curiosities (a.k.a. How well do you know Thatcham? )
    • A talk looking at the lesser known facts about Thatcham. Looks at anvil firing, the pounds, milestones and pumps.
14. Thatcham in 1953: Just a coronation?
    • A look at Thatcham in 1953.
15. Thatcham in 1966: Not just the World Cup
    • A look at Thatcham in 1966.
16. Thatcham in 1968: Not just the Olympics
    • A look at Thatcham in 1968.
17. Thatcham in 1972: Not just a miners strike
    • A look at Thatcham in 1972.
18. Thatcham Notables
    • Talk showing and discussing the historic people of Thatcham from the well known to the less well known. This includes people from Saxon and Norman times, and right up to the present.
19. Thatcham Then & Now
    • These talk discuss the history of locations around Thatcham showing how they were and what they look like today. This goes with my associated book. There are three versions of this talk covering different areas.
      • Part 1
      • Part 2
      • Part 3
20. Thatcham: 50 years a town (previously Thatcham: 40 years a town)
    • A talk originally created to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Thatcham being a town, updated to 50th anniversary. The talk discusses what forms a town and Thatcham having risen to a town, falling to a village and risen again to a town.
21. Thatcham: an historic town in a changing world
    • A talk to go with my book “Thatcham: an historic town in a changing world.” Looks at the history in four parts; prehistoric to Roman; Transport; Urban development and the buildings.
22. Trades of Thatcham
    • A look at some of the trades that have taken place in Thatcham.
23. Thatcham on the record (a.k.a Thatcham in print)
    • A look at the history of Thatcham but using historical records and newspapers. This starts in the Saxon period looking at Norman documents to Tudor maps and then newspapers.
24. Around Thatcham
    • A tour around Thatcham using some lesser known views and facts.
25. Thatcham on the map
    • A talk looking at the history of Thatcham through maps. History and background of some of the roads and fields are discussed, where the names originate from for example. Some long gone structures and areas are looked at such as Dunston Lodge and the two Dunston Houses.
26. Thatcham: 1914- 1918, The Great War
    • Talk about Thatcham during World War I, what was Thatcham like during the period. Also includes soldiers from Thatcham, those that did and did not survive.
27. – Merged with another –
28. History of Transport in Thatcham
    • A talk looking at how transport has been used in Thatcham. The coming of the canal and railway to the motor car and TRTS are all looked at. This is a brief look and does not go into any topic in detail.
29. Thatcham Town Centre: A brief history
    • A talk looking at the history of the town centre, mostly The Broadway, High Street, Church Lane and Church Gate. Talk starts with the Saxon’s and comes up to the 20th century.
30. Listed, Lasted, Lost
    • Part 1
      • A talk that looks at the Scheduled Monuments, Locally Listed and Nationally Listed. What they mean and the history of a selection of the properties that have been listed and those that are scheduled monuments. The talk includes a selection of buildings that are not listed but still of historical interested as well as buildings that have disappeared, several that were listed.
    • Part 2
      • A talk that looks at the Scheduled Monuments, Locally Listed and Nationally Listed not covered in part 1. What they mean and the history of a selection of the properties that have been listed and those that are scheduled monuments. The talk includes a selection of buildings that are not listed but still of historical interested as well as buildings that have disappeared, several that were listed.
31. Thatcham in 1967 / 8
    • A look back at Thatcham during 1967 and 1968, when Thatcham Historical Society was formed.
32. Roman Thatcham
    • A short talk (approx 15 minutes) discussing what is known, and unknown, about Roman Thatcham.
33. Thatcham: What’s in a name?
    • A short talk (approx 15 minutes) discussing the origin and evolution of the place name Thatcham.
34. Saxon Thatcham
    • A short talk (approx 15 minutes) discussing what is known about the Saxon origins of Thatcham.

B. Walks

I have now given several heritage walks around various parts of Thatcham as part of events such as Thatcham Festival and Heritage Open Days as well as working with other groups and organisations. This can just be the town centre or can include other areas such as along the A4 or perhaps just the parish church to the Old Bluecoat School.

1. Soldiers in Thatcham Cemetery
   • A walk around the old part of Thatcham Cemetery looking at the history of soldiers from both World War I and II.
2. St Mary’s Church graveyard tour
   • A tour of St Mary’s graveyard noting the history of many of those buried within the grounds. The walk, if time permits, also talks about the history of the church itself as can be seen externally.
3. St Mary’s Church history tour
   • – being reworked –
4. Town Centre heritage walk
   • A walk and talk around Thatcham town centre including the Broadway, High Street and Church Lane looking at and discussing various historical buildings, events and people.
5. Thatcham Cemetery
   • A walk and talk around Thatcham Cemetery looking at the lives of those interred there as well as a brief history of the cemetery itself.

C. Newbury

1. Newbury 365
   • This talk goes with my “Newbury 365” book. The talk looks at events within the book that occurred in Newbury.
2. Newbury in old photographs
   • A tour around Newbury through the camera using old photographs.
3. Newbury Then & Now
   • A talk that discusses the history of locations around Newbury showing how they were and what they look like now. This goes with my associated book.
4. The City, Newbury
   • A talk looking at the history of the area of Newbury known as the City.
5. Forgotten Newbury
   • A talk looking at some of the lesser known areas and facts about the history of Newbury such as Newbury Castle and the Wharf.
6. Newbury and district: The Cold War Era
   • A look at what Newbury and the district was like during the Cold War Era. Note this is not a look at the Cold War but what was going on locally.
7. Old Newbury
   • A tour around Newbury through the camera using old photographs.
8. Newbury: South of the river
   • A look at south Newbury covering Bartholomew Street, Cheap Street and the Market Place. Other areas are also looked at.

D. Thatcham & Newbury

1. Archaeology of the District
   • A talk looking at the archaeology of the area targeting largely on Newbury and Thatcham.
2. Newbury & Thatcham, an historic comparison
   • A brief look at the similarities and differences in the history of Newbury and Thatcham. Well known locals are looked at along with events and buildings.
3. Newbury & Thatcham: A duel
   • A comparison of the two towns, aimed at pitching one against the other. Starting at the Stone Age and finishing in the Victorian period. You decide which, historically, is richer.

E. Schools

Talks I have done/can do for local schools, as well as adapting any of the above talks and walks.

1. Buildings of Thatcham
   • A brief history of Thatcham with the main focus looking at the old buildings of Thatcham.
2. Saxon Thatcham
   • The talk reviews, briefly, the Roman period in Thatcham and then looks at what we know about the Saxon period in Thatcham.
3. Medieval Newbury & district
   • A brief look at what was happening during the medieval period in and around Newbury.

F. Others

Other areas I may talk about.

1. A brief history of Lyme Regis
   • A look at the history of Lyme Regis from prehistoric and Roman times to the English Civil War and beyond.

G. Coming Soon

Talks being written

• Newbury around the world
  • A look at the places around the world known as Newbury. The talk starts with how a select group moved from Newbury, Berkshire, UK to Newbury Massachusetts. Other locations known as Newbury around the world are looked at and a brief history of most are given.
• A history of St Mary’s, Thatcham
  • A talk on the history of St Mary’s Church. Was that really what it was called? How is a witch connected to the church and more.
• Dunston House (October 2023)
  • A short talk (approx 15 mins) on the mansion house built in the 1700s in Thatcham.