Newbury District Field Club

Welcome to the

Founded in 1870 the Field Club is Newbury's local history society with additional interests in all aspects of the Newbury district's natural history, geology etc.

The Club meets on afternoons (2nd Friday of the month) between October and April with Summer excursions to places of interest. Recently an additional programme of evening meetings has commenced (4th Tuesday of the month), to open up the Club to prospective members who are unable to attend afternoon meetings and to promote interest in the history of the area.

The City Project

The Field Club is delighted to support the Newbury Society in the foundation of The City Project. This project aims to celebrate the unique area of Newbury known colloquially as The City.

The City is steeped in a history that it sometimes seems to keep as a secret. The City Project will build on the work of the Field Club's Study Group from the 1990s to promote interest in this fascinating part of town.

On 20th March the City Project held an open meeting at Fair Close Day Centre. Despite some miserable weather well over 100 people came along to enjoy an exhibition and talks on the City and to tell us their memories of the area. Over 50 hardy souls donned their rainwear and, clutching umbrellas, joined one of three guided walks of The City. West Berkshire Council's Archaeological Officer, Duncan Coe, talked about the Litten and its mediaeval cemetery (subject of an archaeological dig in 2004) [for more, come and hear Sharon Clough on 27 Apr (see events)]; well-known local historian, David Peacock, then took over and told the story of Bartholomew Manor, one of the many historical gems in the City; finally NDFC President, Phil Wood led the walk back to Fair Close giving some of the history of the City's many almshouses and pubs.