A phoenix from the fire, walks and a new initiative...
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| | Romsey & District Society |
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Conserving our Heritage Protecting our Future |
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| | Dear {{ firstname }}, Welcome to the October 2026 Newsletter. |
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| | Annual Lecture: From the Ashes – the Fall and Rise of King John’s House Tuesday 13th October |
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In February 2025, a fire at King Johns' House caused considerable damage to the town's most fascinating architectural treasure. A place that had remained hidden for centuries until it was rediscovered under the façade of some ramshackle cottages. The unique knucklebone floor and the medieval graphite traceable to specific knights staying in the lodge are just a few of the treasures in the building. Dr Freddie Law Turner, Chair of Trustees at King John's House and Museum will talk about the history of King John's House, the fire of February 2025 and its impact, and future plans for the Grade I listed Hall, the museum and the heritage garden. The lecture will be held on Tuesday 13 October at 7.30pm in the Town Hall. To reserve your free ticket, use the link below. |
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| | Saturday 17th October Autumn Litter Pick |
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Our Autumn Litter Pick and Stream Clean will be taking place on 17th October 2026
Apart from the feel good factor of knowing you are making your town better, it is a good way to get to know new people and catch up on town gossip as you pick.
Simply come along to Crosfield Hall at 9:00am. Equipment provided by TVBC.
Contact: Roz Fresson, [email protected] |
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| | Look after Romsey initiative |
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| | This new activity has the aim of helping to keep Romsey as well-kept and beautiful as possible, with the help of the RDS member community. |
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The RDS Executive Committee is supporting the idea, plans are at an early stage, and progress will be reported here and in the magazine. The idea is to form local groups of RDS members to meet regularly to walk their own area of Romsey, to identify items that need maintenance and suggest ideas for improvements. A central action group in RDS would then use its experience to find the best channel to solve the problem, for example by contacting the right authority, or by initiating voluntary action by ourselves or others. The RDS Planning Committee has previously identified possible major improvements, has very good contacts and is supporting the Look after Romsey initiative. For RDS members, the benefits are to improve their local area, make local friends, and have a regular productive walk. It is hoped than members will enjoy volunteering an hour or two of their time to walk with a group, finishing with a social meeting to collect ideas. RDS members interested in joining a pilot study to test the idea of local walking groups are welcome to contact Patricia Roberts on [email protected] |
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| | Our Natural Environment Committee have been survey the spread of bats in Romsey. It has been encouraging to find rare Barbastelle bats in small numbers in sites around Romsey. A number of these are earmarked for development and knowing where they are makes it more likely that they can be protected. |
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| | Following our talk on swifts last year, a significant number of members have had swift boxes added to their houses. We have also been involved in surveying and cataloguing the swift population in Romsey. Many people are finding swifts are now beginning to take up residence in the growing number of swift boxes. Kate Allen was delighted to discover her swift caller had done its job last year and enticed 3 pairs of swifts to nest in her three of her boxes in the centre of Romsey. She was relieved when they returned for second year this year. If anyone else would like a swift box or two to help support this wonderful bird before the next nesting season, please contact Kate Allen on kate.allen49@gmail.com |
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| | On Saturday 5 th September, 13 members spent a very pleasant few hours birdwatching at Keyhaven marshes with Ian Packer of Hampshire Ornithological Society as our guide. His knowledge, and his enthusiasm to share it, made it a very enjoyable visit. You can read more in the January 2027 magazine, but in the meantime, here is the list of birds we spotted that morning, in taxonomic order. Report: Kate Allen |
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Mute Swan
Canada Goose Eider
Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Great Crested Grebe
Woodpigeon
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Curlew
Black-tailed Godwit
Redshank
Greenshank
Turnstone
Knot
Sandwich Tern
Black-headed Gull Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Cormorant
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
Osprey
Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Kingfisher
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Swallow
Starling
Blackbird
Robin
Wheatear
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Linnet
Goldfinch |
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| | TALK: Isle of Wight White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project |
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Wednesday 11th November 2026 Crosfield Hall Annex Imogen Lloyd from Forestry England will talk about the fascinating White-tailed Eagle reintroduction with the project centred on the Isle of Wight. |
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| | To get involved in what we do or if you have ideas for activities you think we should be organising or that you would like to take part in, please contact our secretary using the email address below. |
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| | You are receiving this email because you provided your email address to the Society. [email protected]
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Romsey & District Society c/o Bells Solicitors, 5 Market Place, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8FX Email: [email protected]
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