Swavesey Village College

High Treason and a Medieval Royal insult in a Cambridgeshire Village Church - the Heraldry in Orwell Church Chancel Roof Speaker: David Oates At least half of our members live in Over, including our secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn (see contact info below).

22 April.  The Workhouse and Poorhouse – 700 years of old and new Poor Laws.  Colin Chapman.  The Poor Law of 1601 levied a mandatory poor rate on every parish.  Those who were too ill, old, destitute, or who were orphaned children were put into a local 'workhouse' or 'poorhouse'.  These were tax-supported residential institutions started as a method of providing a less expensive (to the taxpayers) alternative to what we would nowadays call "welfare".  Poor housing conditions included leaking pipes or roofs, inadequate heating and, in due course, dangerous electrical wiring.  In November of 1845 the diet of the inmates consisted primarily of bread, meat, potatoes, sweet milk, sour milk, oatmeal and tea. At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.

The History of Pyes, Cambridge: Roger Crabtree At least half of our members live in Over, including our secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn (see contact info below).

18 March.  The History of Toys.  Ken Sneath.  The earliest toys were made from natural materials, such as sticks and clay.  They became more widespread with changing attitudes towards children and childhood and in the nineteenth century those with an educational purpose, such as puzzles, books and board games were prioritised.  In 1903 Beatrix Poter created the first Peter Rabbit soft toy and registered him at the Patent Office, making Peter the oldest licensed character.  Lego, Barbie Doll and Action Man were once popular and the Rubik’s Cube became an enormous seller in the 1980s. At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.

The Old Vicarage, Grantchester: Peter Tatam At least half of our members live in Over, including our secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn (contact info below).

A Very English Dynasty: Four Generations of the D’Oyly Carte Family.  Jim Stebbings.   Swavesey Village College, Swavesey, Cambridgeshire.   At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.

Members Night (2 or 3 short talks) and AGM   Venue: Swavesey Village College, Swavesey, Cambridgeshire.   At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the (usually) third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.

Agricultural Labourers in the 19th Century.  Mike Muncaster.   Venue: Swavesey Village College, Swavesey, Cambridgeshire.   At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the (usually) third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.

At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.