October: Wednesday 21st

Note: Annual General Meeting 6:30 pm

Talk: The 1891 Kibworth Beauchamp census ~ by: John Freeland

John will be giving us a talk based on a book written by George Weston and the 1891 census, the talk looks at life in Kibworth Beauchamp through the census records, newspaper articles and photographs. George Weston kindly gave his permission for materials from his book to be used.

November: Wednesday 18th

Talk: The Green Bicycle Mystery ~ by: Philip Irwin

In July 1919, a young woman set out on a quiet country cycling trip and never returned. Her body was later found on a lonely Leicestershire lane, and attention soon focused on a man seen riding a distinctive green bicycle in her company shortly before her death. A trial followed that gripped the public and divided opinion. The evidence, both compelling and elusive, left questions that have never been fully settled. This talk explores the case of Bella Wright, examining the people, the testimony, the lingering uncertainties—and what may really have happened.

December: Wednesday 16th

Talk: Darien Expeditions of the 1690s, aimed at establishing a colony ~ by: Richard Hill

In the late seventeenth century Scotland determined to establish a colony in the new world. It was rather late to the game and options were limited. Nonetheless, it established a company for the purpose of founding a colony on the Caribbean coast of Panama. This talk will outline the progress of that enterprise and subsequent developments, which were more far-reaching than a mere colonial adventure for us all

Past Talks:

September: Wednesday 16th

Talk: The Leicestershire Home Guard ~ by: Neil Hunt

Neil gave a fascinating talk about the story of the Home Guard in Kibworth and neighbouring Leicestershire villages—and how local volunteers prepared to defend their communities during the Second World War. Neil brought along many of the weapons the Home Guard were issued with. We were not only amazed by the number of Weapons the Home Guard were issued with but the number of different types of hand grenades. Plus the contraption used to train the Home Guard to shoot was ingenious.