KENNINGTON HISTORY SOCIETY

In May, in a change to the Society’s originally published programme, members received an interesting talk by retired history teacher, Roger Jenking, about Oxford being set ablaze by Danish Viking raiders 1000 years ago. He told how in 1009 the Danes had sacked the City, in an attack thought to be revenge for a national slaughter of Vikings ordered by the then Anglo-Saxon King of England, Ethelred the Unready.

The ‘illustrated’ presentation was entitled ‘The 1009 Burning of Oxford by the Danes’

The History Society’s reputation has been largely built on the quality of the speakers and this was further enhanced at the June meeting when rail historian, Max Wilkinson, gave a quite exceptional illustrated talk entitled ‘Harwich for the Continent’. Max, with a great deal of dry humour, told the fascinating history of the development of Harwich as a ferry terminal for rail travel into mainland Europe. The was also the added bonus of a first hand account of the work of Trinity House.

‘this month’

Although the June Meeting was the last before the Society’s customary summer break the Committee has arranged a ‘Visit to Historic Lower Radley’ the guide for this tour will be Rita Ford of the Radley History Club. Those wishing to come should meet at the Methodist Church on Monday the 20th July 2009 at 7:00pm, when a car sharing scheme can be organised.

As previously reported the History Society’s Annual Coach Trip this year will be to Gloucester and this medieval city has many interesting attractions. Firstly there is one of the Country’s must attractive Cathedrals, then there is the historic dockyard which hosts the National Waterways Museum and an enormous Antiques Centre. Added to this, as advertised on national TV, there is the recently opened retail centre - Gloucester Quays. The trip will take place on Thursday the 24th September 2009. The travel arrangements will be as before with the coach picking up from all the bus stops on the western side of the main roads through the village starting at Manor Grove at 9:30am and returning to Kennington at around 7:00pm. The cost of the trip is £10.00 for Members and £12.00 for Non-Members. If you would like to book one of the few remaining seats on the bus to Gloucester this can be done by contacting either the Chairman on 01865 - 739208 or the Treasurer on 01865 - 730321.

George Ross

Chairman Kennington History Society