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Our Society was formed in 2006 for the enjoyment of those who take an interest in the history of South Warwickshire and beyond. We sustain a lively membership, due to our varied, lively and compelling range of guest speakers, many renowned leaders in their field. To date we have had over 150 talks.
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Next Meeting: 19 September at 7.15pm for 7.45pm in the Crawford Hall, Salford Road, Bidford on Avon.
History of River Avon Navigation
Before canals, railways and even before proper roads, the rivers were often the best route in and out of the middle of this country, linking up other trading towns, the coast and the wider world. Our beautiful River Avon has literally shaped the towns through which it flows, and the reason why they are where they are. Some of the mills and crossing points date back over a thousand years.
The Avon was one of the first rivers to be managed by a system of locks and officially have its trading status protected by the crown 400 years ago. The talk will look at the decline in trade due to competition from the canals; and then to the renovation when a new era of leisure boating began and the navigation was recused from dereliction.
This will bring us up to modern day, and a snap shot of the great work that the Avon Navigation trust do today, to administer, maintain and improve the navigation for use by the public.
Speaker: Alex Mellor. Evening Host; Mike Franklin
Visitors £6.00
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Our Research Group has published landmark 20th Century social histories concerning Bidford and the surrounding area. Our website provides access to many of our publications. The History Trail takes you on an historic walk. Under Personal Stories we have compiled oral and written history from people who lived in Bidford during the C20th. Bidford extends back to the Neolithic period and with Roman and Saxon occupancy.
We have established the Bidford Archive. This extensive collection of catalogued local historical materials providing an invaluable and detailed guide to history in our area available to researchers.
Bidford extends back to the Neolithic period and with Roman and Saxon occupancy. We manage information held in the Local Studies section at Bidford Community Library.
Bidford Archive | Bidford Local History | Voices from the Past | On-line publications
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If you are interested in history and want to learn more about the past, do come and join us to hear wonderful stories of great people and events. You can catch up also on latest Society news.
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