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).
