The Newbury Society AGM

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Annual General Meeting of the Newbury Society Newbury Society chairman David Peacock reviews the past year, talking about Newbury today, some of its attractions, and the range of challenges it faces. David Peacock researches, writes and talks on the history of the Newbury area from the Stone Age to the present day. He has written […]

Newbury Breweries

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

A History of Newbury’s Breweries, from the earliest records to the final demise of the industry in the town. A lavishly illustrated talk piecing together the fascinating and often complicated history of the descent of these businesses large and small. Phil Wood, an enthusiastic local historian, is President of the Newbury District Field Club. For […]

Newbury town centre Conservation Area Appraisal

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

The Draft Newbury Town Centre Area Appraisal and Management Plan (NTCCAAMP) was issued on 12 January. West Berkshire Council has opened the consultation phase to all residents, the community at large and  stakeholders. The consultation period  closes on 23 February 2023. This provides a very limited window of opportunity in which to submit  any objections […]

Four Characters from Georgian Newbury

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

A look at four characters of note from Penny's latest book - Georgian Newbury. Penny Stokes has lived in the Newbury area for 40 years, during which time she has researched, written and published on numerous places, people and events of West Berkshire. Twenty years ago she gained a MSc in English Local History from […]

Being Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

The current Lord-Lieutenant will talk about what the role entails, the history of the office, how Lord-Lieutenants are appointed and his experiences in the role, the many high points and one low point. Mr Puxley was High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire from 2000 to 2001. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in […]

BBOWT in West Berkshire

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

The Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) took over the management of West Berkshire Council's main countryside sites, including Snelsmore and Greenham commons and the Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, at the beginning of 2014. Simon will be reviewing the way in which the management of the sites has evolved since then and highlighting some […]

50th Anniversary Celebration

Shaw House Church Road, Shaw, NEWBURY, Berkshire, United Kingdom

A summer social event marking 50 years of the Newbury Society. Open to society members and their accompanied guests. Tickets are £10 per head. For further details contact Graham Smith at newburysoc.secretary@gmail.com

Newbury Art and Artists

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

An illustrated talk which will look at the life and work of some local artists, as well as the depictions of local scenes by others. It will include fine and decorative art, with the emphasis on the former. Among the artists covered will be JMW Turner, Joseph Toomer (thrice Mayor of Newbury), William Gore, Fred […]

Annual General Meeting

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Donnington Castle

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Dr David Peacock traces the history of Donnington Castle, from its manorial origins in 1287, the licence awarded to Richard Abberbury 'to crenellate and fortify' in 1386, through to the Civil War period and beyond.

Road by Road books – Inspiration, Research and Publication

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

“Road by Road books – Inspiration, Research and Publication” Roy Tubb R. B. Tubb is the author of seven local history books, several organised in a road-by-road format, and covering Thatcham, Cold Ash, Greenham, Shaw, Speen and Stockcross, as well as the distinctive publication Newbury Road by Road (2011). Roy Tubb is a retired mathematics […]

The Craven story

Parish Room, St. John’s Church St. John’s Road, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom

“The Craven story” Clive Williams 'This is the rags to riches to rags story of the Craven family. They came from nowhere in the C16th to become one of the richest families in the country in one generation. They then bought up England and then succeeded in losing virtually everything over the next 3 centuries. […]