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Shanklin & District History Society

What we do at S&DHS

How S&DHS started in 2003

Surprisingly it all started in Sandown when old Shanklin photographs, donated to Sandown and District Historical Association, formed the basis of a talk, and Christine Warder (nee Howlett) and Brian Kemp (both from Shanklin families), asked what was to become of the photographs.


Chris and Brian gained useful advice from the Sandown Association and Ventnor and District Local History Society. They also gave a talk to Shanklin Rotary Club who proceeded to sponsor initial meetings in Shanklin. The first meeting in the Falcon Cross Hall, on 15 May 2003, was a great success. Nearly one hundred people crowded in for an illustrated talk on Shanklin by former mayor John Flemming. Derek Sprake’s informative and humorous talk on Parish Records in June was also well supported. Heartened by the interest, a steering group was formed and a winter programme planned. On 18 Sept. 2003 a talk on Shanklin Archives by the County Archivist, Richard Smout, preceded the Inaugural General Meeting of the Shanklin and District History Society, now officially up and running!


Since 2003 the Society has run a regular programme of  talks, exhibitions from a growing Shanklin archive and guided walks around the town. For many years Chris Warder acted as Secretary and the late Brian Kemp as Chairman. Particular thanks are due to them, to everyone who has given time to serve on the committee, and, not least, to all members for their support.


Welcome to the Shanklin & District History Society website where members can keep up to date and visitors can find out about S&DHS and the history of Shanklin, Isle of Wight




Talks and Exhibitions

Meetings are held on the first Thursday of most months in the Falcon Cross Hall in Shanklin and visitors are always welcome for a small charge. Usually a specialist speaker will give a talk an aspect of Isle of Wight history. A changing selection of archive material, including new acquisitions, is displayed at meetings through the year and we hold an exhibition in May. Meeting details can be found on the Programme page.


Walks

Each year we try to organise a themed walk around Shanklin as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival. Donations from walkers make a significant contribution to the collection for our charity of the year.


Newsletters and Website

Members receive two Newsletters a year by email with articles on Shanklin history which are then added to the Newsletter page of the website. Some of our archive material can also be found on our Picture Galleries page.


Publications

The Society also publishes occasional booklets. Shanklin Seventy Years Ago, a limited edition for charity to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in 2022, can be found on the Newsletter page. Artist George Brannon, the Brannon family and Shanklin in 2020 marked the 200th anniversary of Brannon’s Vectis Scenery and is available for £4 at Morgan’s Newsagent, Shanklin or from the Society for £4 plus p&p.


Shanklin Village through time and Shanklin Esplanade through time are currently out of print, but copies are available at IoW libraries.  Sketch maps of the areas covered in these booklets can be viewed by clicking on Village or Esplanade.


Answering Queries

The Society receives requests for information on Shanklin people, buildings and events from home and abroad. We reply to all requests and do our best to help.  


Who Does What

The Society is run entirely by volunteers with a Chairman and Committee who report to, and are elected by, members at each AGM in September. Committee members are listed on the Contact Us page.


 



Links to some other interesting IoW websites

For further Shanklin information see www.visitshanklin.co.uk


The Isle of Wight History Centre website has a wide range of detailed information and a list of other history societies on the Island.


Vectis Archaeological Trust cover all periods of Island history from Pre-Historic times to the 20th century.


The Isle of Wight Gardens Trust  has information on historic parks and gardens.


The Isle of Wight Family History website includes searchable BMD indexes.

S&DHS

In 2023 we celebrated the twenty successful years since Shanklin & District History Society was formed. You can read about how it all began at the bottom of this page.


We are pleased to say that our current Membership subscription for 2023-24 has been held at only £6. A membership form can be found on the Contact Us page. Our ten meetings during the year are free for Members to attend and visitors are always welcome for £1.


Our latest book is on the Edwardian Era before 1914 which is often regarded as a golden age. Edwardian Shanklin is available for £5 at Morgans Newsagents, Regent Street, Shanklin and other outlets in the town or from S&DHS for £5 plus £2.50 p&p.







 


We continue to answer queries from members of the public in Australia, Canada and nearer to home, and to welcome new Members to S&DHS.


If you have any questions on Shanklin history, or would like to become a Member, please see our Contact Us page which includes details of how to join. Membership is only £6 a year starting in September.

Privacy Policy

 In line with the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 the S&DHS policy can be accessed here.

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Photo courtesy of Carisbrooke Castle Museum