Presently researching the past      
                    for future generations

Christchurch Library will be closed from 4pm on Saturday 6th February 2010 for the installation of self service technology. It will reopen at 9:30am on Monday 15th February 2010.

During this closure period the Reference room cannot be accessed.

A reminder to our members there is still time to book a place for the Society Dinner on Tuesday 16th February 2010 7:30pm at Tyrells Ford Country Inn.

The cost is £17:00 and cheques should be made payable to Christchurch Local History Society and sent in a SAE to 7, Hursley Close. Bournemouth. BH7 6SE

With snow and ice closing in, fewer members than usual turned out for the Christchurch Local History Society meeting on the evening of January 5th. Those that made it were treated to an excellent talk by John Smith, entitled ‘Keeping it in the family’.

Relating the fascinating history of how the Beaulieu Estate and Palace House came into the hands of the Montague family, we were taken back eight hundred and fifty years when the land was owned by the Crown, was King John’s hunting ground and Cistercian monks were in residence.

Explaining how the property changed hands, was developed, and passed through thirteen generations, we were brought right into the present decade.

Intriguing snippets about Bucklers Hard, the origin of the saying ‘Your numbers up’, and the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy mascot were all revealed.

The next meeting on February 2nd Alan Hyde will be speaking on ‘Not for sale’ (recording gaffs).

May this New Year prove to be a happy and peaceful one for you all.

Our first meeting of 2010 will be on Tuesday 5th January 7:30pm when John Smith will be talking about Keeping it in the Family, the history of the Beaulieu Estate from Cistercian Monks to the Montagu family. The venue is Christchurch Junior School, Clarendon Road, Christchurch.

See you there?

Thank you for visiting our website and this particular page.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

from

Christchurch Local History Society

Thanks to Ian Stevenson for sending in these photo captions.

‘CLHS members thought it was all part of the mystery tour fun when the bus roof was ripped off going under a low bridge’!

‘The Down Farm sheepdog showed its skills by herding the visiting CLHS members into a pen’!

Tuesday November the 3rd saw our second members meeting of the year enjoying a talk on Thoma Hardy with over one hundred people in attendance.

Anne King gave an informative and lively talk on Thomas Hardy’s, life, landscapes and laughter. bringing  alive his origins, social background, novels, poems and place names.

Few of us would have associated humour with Thomas Hardy, romance and tragedy, yes; but by the end of the evening we had been introduced to this other side of the man, with his dark ironic humour ably demonstrated  through snippets of  his poetry.

Why not join us for our next meeting Tuesday December 1st when Peter Welton will be opening up to us some aspects of The History of Portland.

In excess of 200 men from this village went to war, and thirty eight did not return. Who were they? How did they die? Where are they buried. What was life like in Highcliffe during that war? What did the children of Gus Common do? Take a glimpse into the forgotten past.

New information is always coming to light, see the November Christchurch Local History Society Journal for an interesting update on one of the men who did not return from the Front.

As with others of our books, it’s available from local bookshops, the Tourist Information Centre. Red House Museum and the Local History Room in Christchurch Library.

Why not whilst on this page click on Research Resources and select Books and Publications to see our wide range of books and publications?

The Journal, free to members, can be purchased for £1 at the Tourist Information Centre or from the Resource Room in the Library.

The Origin of Words and Sayings
A talk by Derek Fones.
Tuesday, 6th October 2009 7-30pm

With a membership of over three hundred there is a a good turn out at each meeting with the hall being filled to near capacity.

Why not join us for this meeting and hear about the result of years of fascinating research through Briatain’s Stately Homes. We meet at Clarendon Road School Christchurch.

See you there?

What a day !

Glorious wall to wall sunshine, and from the moment of setting up a steady stream of visitors to the display in Saxon Square.

From youngsters trying to find the hiden treasure, students doing school projects on Christchurch, adults reminiscing, to others joining the Society.

Meanwhile upstairs in the Mayor’s Parlour the launch of Bill Hoodless’ book Old town Halls of Christchurch.

In the evening a reception, courtesy of the Red House Museum, in their beautiful gardens - a perfect end to a perfect day.