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On the 3rd July 2019, a very warm afternoon, eight of our members visited the Amersham Museum. This is located in the High Street of Old Amersham town. Once through the very modern entrance reception area we were greeted by the Curator, Emily Tottcher, and taken upstairs to the meeting room (there was a lift too). Tea and biscuits had been arranged and we chose to have this early rather than later on. So then we sat and enjoyed an introductory film and talk by Emily. At the same time, Emily handed out various historical articles to examine and guess what they were. These curious items ranged from an antique pair of curling tongs to corn splitters. Emily spoke of the history of Amersham and its development over the years.

On the fine summer evening of 22 June 2019, at the Fitzwilliams Centre, the Society was delighted to host the screening of ‘JFK: The Last Speech’, a new film from America which told the remarkable story of the friendship between John F Kennedy, 35th US President, and Robert Frost, America’s great poet.

It has been 30 years since Nick Park, a postgraduate student at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, launched his wonderful ‘claymation’ characters Wallace & Gromit to the moon – and to international stardom. Three decades and tonnes of modelling clay later, the daring duo are part of film history, winning 5 BAFTAs and 3 Oscars®. The Beaconsfield Society were delighted to join in celebrating Nick Park’s creative genius by organising a charity film night in partnership with Cancer Research UK as part of the 2019 Beaconsfield Community Festival.

On 17th December 2018, a good crowd gathered in the Beaconsfield Town Hall garden to mark the birthday of author Alison Uttley, famous creator of Little Grey Rabbit, with the unveiling of a plaque in her honour.

From 6th-13th October 2018, the Beaconsfield Society celebrated the life and works of the best-selling author Sir Terry Pratchett, who has sold more than 85 million books worldwide and also happens to have been born and raised right here in Beaconsfield. We openned the doors to the wonderful world of his acclaimed fantasy novels, and gave fans from near and far the opportunity to learn more about the man and his magical creations during our week of Terry Pratchett-inspired celebrations.

This year we arranged a special visit for our members to Beaconsfield’s very own prestigious National Film and Television School. The School is world famous and this year was honoured for outstanding British contribution to cinema at the BAFTAs. At our last AGM in 2017 NFTS won our award for their new buildings and this was a chance to have a guided tour of the whole site.

On 20th September 2017, we had a rare opportunity to visit Hall Barn, Beaconsfield’s famous estate and manor house and the home of the Lawson family since 1881, which is not normally open to the public. Hall Barn’s history can be traced back to the 13th century and, over the years, the house has been adapted to meet the needs of the time. Today the outside closely resembles that of the original building, a Victorian wing having been demolished. Of particular interest is the gatehouse where the ‘Barley-sugar’ columns have been restored.