March 19th Dr John Wilson: Lecture ‘On the Farm in 1914 – Hoby and beyond’
May 28th John Greaves “Ephemera, the flesh on the bones of history”
July 16th Local historian Dr Ray Sutton will give a talk on the Melton to Oakham canal and The Wreake Navigation.
August 4th ‘Reflections’ – Flowers in Commemoration for the Centenary of the World War One – 1914-2014 and a recreation of a cottage kitchen circa 1914. These are both activities initiated by the Hoby and District Local History Society and are part of our First World War project.
October 1st First World War – Discover what it was like on in the trenches. : Life in the Trenches Jason King
Have you ever wondered what it must have been like in the trenches? Jason will provide an entertaining and thought provoking evening when he brings original First World War uniforms and kit together with other artefacts from the trenches. Expect to see one side of the village hall piled up with kit which he uses to illustrate just how the soldiers in the trenches were kitted out.
Jason explores the recruitment fervour of autumn 1914, including opportunities for women, and then follows a young recruit’s journey to the Western Front. What awaits him there?
Jason calls his talk a mixture of “show and tell”, and pantomime, with sombre melancholic undertones…. It is less a talk, and more a show, in which it is hoped the more extrovert may be encouraged to participate! The evening is very interactive and there will be opportunities to try on some of the uniforms etc. Seeing Vic dressed ready for a gas attack is something you will not forget!
This evening will be a unique experience; don’t miss it.
November 19th Sacrifice & Remembrance: Jeremy Prescott
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission honours the 1,700,000 men and women of the forces of the Commonwealth who died in the two world wars and ensures that their memory is never forgotten. At our November meeting Jeremy Prescott will talk to us about the evolution of the CWGC during and after WW1, the founding principles upon which the CWCG remembers the fallen in its cemeteries, the unknown warrior and the cenotaph and the current custom of repatriation and remembrance of those killed on active service.
Jeremy is Chief Executive of the Rural Community Council (RCC), a charity based in Leicester, an appointment he has held for 17 years. Before this he served for 27 years as a Regular Army Officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
December 10th Christmas social and friends evening.
The Members Evening is an opportunity for the membership to give short presentations, about 10 minutes in length, on any relevant subject they choose. This is a good opportunity to reflect on the first year of the society; we will end the evening with a buffet and wine.
We will be asking for volunteers for presentations and items for the buffet at the October meeting.