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Last presentation for 2023
November 29th
STORIES FROM THE AUCTION ROOM by STEVEN BRUCE
This is an entertaining hour’s talk about the business with many humorous tales and anecdotes about the characters involved, whom to trust and why – and who and what to avoid. I examine the costs of buying and selling at auction, how to choose the best auction house - and how to get the best bargains at auction. I also relate some of the humorous experiences I’ve had during my 50 years as an auctioneer and valuer working across the UK.
I illustrate this talk with items that I have sold or am going to sell and provide an insight to what is selling currently – e.g. silver, coins, pictures etc.
This meeting is a Christmas Social Afternoon meeting and visitors are invited to join members in enjoying some festive cheer.
Presentations for 2024
January 24th AGM FOLLOWED BY
BALSALL COMMON THROUGH THE AGES IN PHOTOGRAPHS
by Stephen Gill, Trustee of the History Group
Using a range of photographs, I will trace some of the changes in the village as it moved from a rural collection of hamlets centred on the principal roads in the nineteenth century to the large ‘village’ of the present day. In tracing the development of the village there will be opportunities for members to share their recollections of the changes wrought in the area.
February 28th
CIVIL ENGINEERING HERITAGE IN WARWICKSHIRE AND THE WEST MIDLANDS
by Roger Cragg
The talk deals with all aspects of the work of the Civil Engineer in our part of the world. It starts with an explanation of the origins of the term 'Civil' engineering. We then go on to a review of many examples of the work of a Civil Engineer from Roman times to present day, including bridges, canals, mills, industrial buildings etc. The talk will be illustrated with local examples.
April 24th
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WHITE MONKS
by Jan Cooper
The talk begins with a short history of the Cistercian Order of Monks followed by a pictorial tour of six great abbeys – Rievaulx, Fountains, Byland and Roche in North Yorkshire; Stoneleigh in Warwickshire (now a stately home and perfect example of a post dissolution mansion) and Mount St. Bernard in Leicestershire (the only working Cistercian abbey in England).
June 26th
COUNTRY BYGONES
by Robert Manton
A bit of a hands-on session this month! Robert will bring along some 40 objects, both rural and domestic. We will have the chance to handle, discuss and try to identify these artifacts. Robert will then explain what they are and what they used to be used for.
August 28th
THE FIVE MATILDAS!
by Julie Howard
Set 998 years ago and is about the Matildas (five of them!) and the Norman Kings who ruled England for 88 years from 1066 until 1154.
This was an absolutely fascinating Royal House with power struggles, murder, plotting, fighting, coups…… men backed up by incredibly powerful women in their own right ….all called Matilda and two particular Matilda’s whose actions led to the deposition then restoration of a king.
It is a time which is full of events which changed the course of English history.
October 23rd
THE SWEET LIFE OF BOURNEVILLE
by Robert Booth
Bob Booth, chairman of The Bournville Society, has spoken to many groups and is the author of Bournville Through Time published by Amberley Publishing and The Sweet Life in Bournville: 100 years of the Bournville Works Housing Society. Pictures from many personal collections will be used in this presentation and aspects of the Cadbury legacy, the village architecture, the community and some of the lesser-known facts about Bournville will be revealed.
November 27th
YULE BE SURPRISED! WHY CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS
by Steve Dimmer
A sideways look at the traditions of Christmas that we take for granted.
Why a partridge in a pear tree? When did Santa first begin coming down the chimney?
And Christmas trees were not introduced by Prince Albert.
A fascinating and light-hearted journey through the festive season guaranteed to inform and delight!
This meeting is a Christmas Social Evening and visitors are invited to join members in enjoying some festive cheer.
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