News shared by Jacque on behalf of the Isle of Wight branch of the Historical Association. Ed
A host of history addicts joined descendants of the first committee, past Chairs and the national President of the Historical Association Professor Alexandra Walsham at Brading Roman Villa, as the branch celebrated 75 years of talks, tours, walks and lectures here on the Isle of Wight.
Professor Walsham, fellow of Emmanuel College and Professor of Modern History at Cambridge, was delighted to support a branch described as one of the most successful and longstanding in the whole UK.
Original groups suffered a few set backs
Although our branch can actually trace its roots to the early 20th century, it is fair to say the original groups suffered a few set backs and many years elapsed before a branch was tried again.
It wasn’t until a group of interested and self styled ‘intellectuals’ gathered at God’s Providence House in Newport, on 23rd June 1950, that the branch truly formed. Women came later, along with a more relaxed attitude to membership and lecturers.
Past Presidents and speakers
Presidents of the Island branch boast a number of famous names, including JB Priestley and TV historian, AJP Taylor.
This love of history has also attracted modern day celebrity historians with Dr Bettany Hughes, Dr David Starkey and Dr Tracy Borman all giving wonderfully well attended talks in the last few years.
Gazzard: I love the debates that often follow a lively lecture
Chair of the branch, Jacqueline Gazzard, said,
“People often erroneously think that an Isle of Wight Branch is only concerned with local history, but our focus has always been on national history and how it informs our world today… or not!
“I love the debates that often follow a lively lecture.”
