Autumn Potpourri Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Autumn “Potpourri of Social History” talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00). You may also book each talk individually – see each separate event page. All three talks are on Thursdays at 2pm and last about an hour. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion. This is an online talks series using Zoom.
Thursday 23 October “White Waltham Airfield and the ATA“: 2 – 3.15pm with Dr Richard Marks
The Second World War was the first conflict in which aircraft played a major role. The Royal Air Force expanded hugely in the late 1930s in anticipation of a probable global conflict, and needed massive numbers of new state of the air aircraft. Losses would also need to be replaced quickly, with aircraft to be delivered directly to squadrons ready for service. But how was this to be done ? The system used in WW1 of sending a pilot to collect a new aeroplane from an aircraft park wouldn’t work. So, something else was needed. The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was created in 1940 to support the RAF by ferrying new, damaged and repaired aircraft to where they needed to be. The men and women of the ATA were expected, and did, fly anything that the RAF was using with little training. This is their story, and the story of the ATA headquarters at White Waltham Airfield.
Thursday 27 November “A Walk on the River Thames, Pangbourne to Marlow“: 2 – 3.15pm with Bill King
We are delighted to welcome Bill back to speak on another section of the Thames, following his excellent talk earlier this year on the Oxford to Pangbourne section. This next talk in the series describes the walk downstream past Reading, Sonning, Wargrave, Henley, Hurley and Bisham to Marlow through water meadows and some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the Thames valley. Many of us will have ancestors who came from this area and were very familiar with the river, perhaps even dependent on it for their income. Bill is a popular speaker to the Society and his journey along the Thames is richly illustrated with images.
Thursday 11 December “Christmas Crackers“: 2 – 3.15pm with Dr Janet Few
From Advent to mince pies and mistletoe to yule logs. What are the origins of the traditions that make up our modern Christmas? This presentation by veteran historian Dr Janet Few takes us on an alphabetical journey of many aspects of Christmas celebrations and considers how our ancestors may have observed Christmas in the past. Join us on this lovely look back at Christmasses past in the build-up to the yuletide season.
Zoom Talk Requirements
To join these talks, you will need a computer device with speakers. Ideally, also a webcam and microphone. You also need to be able to access the internet from it. First-time users of Zoom, will need to download a small piece of software – included in the link.
How to Book
Pre-booking is required because places are limited. Full joining instructions will be emailed to attendees in advance. Bookings close one day before the first event.
To book – scroll down.
Date
- Thu 23 Oct 2025
Tickets
- £12.50
Category
Organiser
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The Centre - Berkshire FHS
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
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Bill KingBills’ main historical specialism is the Second World War, with particular reference to the role of Airborne and Special forces and in clandestine warfare. He has conducted extensive research on the role of the British Resistance Organisation (Auxiliary Units) and has contributed to the books ‘With Britain in Mortal Danger’ (2002) and ‘Churchill’s Underground Army’ (2008).
Bills interests and research has led him to contributing articles to ‘After the Battle’ magazine and to elements of the books ‘D-Day – Then and Now’, ‘Operation Market – Garden – then and now’ and ‘Glenn Miller in Britain – Then and Now’. He is a former Chairman of the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group (RMARG) and is a member of The Western Front Association and of the Military Vehicle Trust.
Bill has appeared on radio and TV on many occasions, including Countryfile’ on BBC1, ‘History Mysteries’ on BBC2, the Channel 4 series ‘Dads Secret Army’, the Channel 5 Select series ‘Secrets of the National Trust’, and ‘The Thames, Britain’s Great River’ with Tony Robinson. In addition, Bill is a regular speaker throughout Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Dorset.
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Dr Janet FewHistory Interpreter – Writer – Speaker – ResearcherJanet is an experienced and qualified family, social and community historian who lectures regularly on these subjects throughout the UK and overseas. She has spoken at many national and international genealogical events and is also a well known author.
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Dr Richard MarksIndustrial, Military and Railway HistorianRichard is a published historian based in Berkshire who specialises in industrial, military, and railway history and also the history of science. His current areas of research are industrial development in the Victorian period, the development of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the mid to late 19th Century and the history of British Rail. He has a PhD in economic history. Richard’s books on British Rail Engineering and the Wantage Tramway Company were both both published by Pen and Sword in 2024.