Alan Turton, curator of Basing House, really knew his subject and amazed many members who only knew Basing House as a ruin situated not far from modern Basingstoke.

There is evidence that communities had lived in that area since the Stone Age and later on the Romans and William the Conqueror had camps there.

Basing House had been a colossal building in Tudor and Elizabethan times and many royal families and their entourages had stayed there.

It was a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War and the sieges which took place during that troubled time were the main subjects of this talk.

There was an excellent turnout to hear this talk and the chairman reminded members that the two publications relating to Petersfield, ‘First World War in Petersfield’ and the ‘High Street’ were currently on sale at the museum, One Tree Bookshop, tourist information centre and Petersfield Bookshop.

She also paid homage to John Bridle, who had contributed so much to the society.