diary 2008-2009

10 September 2008
West Langton Hall - from King John to Diana Princess of Wales
West Langton with Church Langton conceal their histories in the stones of the Hall and the church. Gillian Lovatt has researched the history of West Langton Hall through the many characters associated with it, commencing with King John.

8 October
Rockingham Forest in the Middle Ages
Rockingham Forest – a major Royal Hunting area - extended over a large part of the land between the River Welland and the Nene including Little Bowden. It was subject to different laws and development from other areas of the kingdom...
Dr Peter Hill is an enthusiastic Historian, at present the Director of the Rockingham Forest Trust, researching and recording many aspects of the Forest history and life and the physical records of this special area.

Saturday 8 November
History in and around Harborough
This is our annual one-day conference on local history and archaeology, highlighting current research. A buffet lunch will be provided.
Venue: The Council Suite, Harborough District Council Offices, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough (entrance on corner of building facing Church Square.) Ticket Only Event.

12 November
Milestones, Turnpikes and Old Roads of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
Much can be learned about old roads through looking at their milestones and posts. Many remain in this area. What were the roads like in the 16th – 19th Centuries? Why were milestones erected and why are there so many different designs? What was a turnpike? and how did roads affect the life of Market Harborough?
Michael Knight, a founder member of the Milestone Society, will enthral with his account of milestones and the roads they served.

10 December
Papillion Hall, Myths and Hauntings
Papillion Hall at Lubenham, although demolished 1950, has a page and a half in Pevsners 1984 Buildings of Leicestershire. Its rebuild by Lutyens made it the prototype of the interesting group of country houses known as Butterfly houses. From its romantic beginnings as a house for an French aristocratic refugee, through its hauntings, weird happenings and the strangeness of satin shoes, Barbara Burbidge will expound on the many myths and legends surrounding Papillion Hall. It was not all lost, some parts can be found in Smeeton Westerby whilst the 17th Century octagonal foundations remain under the nettles.Yet still strange things occur. . .

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diaries from previous years

14 January 2009
Panic in the High Street; the Story of the Harborough Bank
With the run on the Northern Rock Bank in September 2007 still in mind, Ken Day will tell the story of our own Harborough Bank, which too had a run on it and then failed.

11 February
The Art, Methods and Weapons of Warfare in the 17th Century
With Naseby (one of the three most important battles fought in England) so close to Market Harborough, the way battles were fought in the 17th Century, tactics, weapons, the structure of armies, soldiers and officers, are all very relevant. Alison Wiley, a military historian, is an expert on 17th century warfare. She has recently , as Alison Michelli, published a biography of Brig. Peter Young, the wartime hero and professional soldier who later founded the Sealed Knot (civil war re-enactment society).

11 March
Annual General Meeting
Please try to attend this meeting which will help us to shape the continuing future of your Society. The AGM will be followed by a talk on:

How the S.E. Leicestershire Hoard of Romano-British Treasure was Discovered
After years of field walking the farmland of eastern Leicestershire, amateur archaeologist Ken Wallace noticed one or two Roman coins at the end of one Sunday morning’s walking. In his talk he will explain how he came to spot them, what he then did and how he and his metal detector helped the formal excavation of the treasure.

8 April
Keeping Harborough's Roads in Order
Over 250 years after the turnpike system grappled with road maintenance, what is involved now in day to day highway maintenance and the planning and execution of major projects? What are the costs and responsibilities of highways repairs, the legal requirements, and the skills to keep an attractive streetscape whilst accommodating the legal requirements and allowing for vehicular use? For over 25 years Clive Howe has worked keeping Harborough’s roads and pavements in good order, more recently as the Highways Chief Engineer.

13 May
Film: The Battle of Naseby
This one the most ambitious projects of the Harborough Movie Makers.
A wide ranging film it explains graphically why the most important battle of the Civil war was fought at Naseby. This is a must for anyone who wants to know and understand more of this important battle fought on Harborough’s doorstep and in which Harborough played a part.

10 June
Summer Visit - To be arranged