DATES&DATA Excavations at St. Martin-in-the-Fields is the subject of the first meeting of 2009 of the Hounslow and District History Society to be held at Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow on Tuesday January 27 at 8pm. Secretary 020 8890 5078.

Lecturer is Alison Telfer, senior archaeologist of the Museum of London’s Archaeology Service.

The church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields by the architect James Gibbs was finished in 1726. Its restoration and extension were completed at the end of 2008 after seven years’ work at a cost of £36m.

Ms Telfer, project manager, spearheaded the archaeological investigations. She will explain that a Roman sarcophagus was uncovered, with evidence that the origins of the site even pre-dated the Roman era. There was continuity from then through to Saxon period.

The illustrated talk promises to be most interesting and a spur to revisit the recently-restored church with the lovely new east window and modernised crypt (accessible by lift) with its award-winning cafe, shop and Dick Sheppard Memorial Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

The 29th West London Local History Conference looks at People in West London History.

The conference is presented by The local history societies of Acton, Barnes & Mortlake, Brentford & Chiswick, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Richmond, Shepherds Bush, Twickenham and Wandsworth, and the West Middlesex Family History Society.

The venue is the Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow, 10am on Saturday March 21. Opportunity to view societies’ stalls from 9.30am. Tickets £7.50, available only in advance by post from J McNamara, 31B Brook Road South, Brentford TW8 ONN or from the sponsoring societies.

Please send SAE and cheque payable to West London Local History Conference.

Speakers include special guests as well as members of the sponsoring societies.

Sponsoring societies’ publications will be on sale during the day, providing an opportunity to keep in touch with local history across this area of west London. The conference fee includes morning coffee and afternoon tea. There are numerous cafés, pubs and food shops nearby or you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Malcolm Rivers, recently retired headmaster of Hampton Junior School, will be giving a talk, organised by The Hampton Society, on Thursday February 5 in the Upper Hall at Hampton Junior School at 8pm. Hampton Junior celebrated its centenary in 2007 with, among other events, a grand exhibition. Malcolm will be conducting a light-hearted armchair tour of the key features that have influenced English education in the last 100 years, with special reference to Hampton. Please use the Percy Road entrance to the school where there is plenty of parking space. There is a flight of stairs to the Upper Hall. Refreshments will be served. Contact Alice Fordham 8979 3543 First Richmond Scout Group has planned a host of events to celebrate the centenary this year. They would like to invite past members to their reunion in June. Please contact Natalie Nesbitt on 07946 351 189, email firstrichmondscouts@yahoo.co.uk.

The 29th West London Local History Conference looks at People in West London History. The conference is presented by The local history societies of Acton, Barnes & Mortlake, Brentford & Chiswick, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Richmond, Shepherds Bush, Twickenham and Wandsworth, and the West Middlesex Family History Society. The venue is the Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow, 10am on Saturday March 21. Opportunity to view societies’ stalls from 9.30am. Tickets £7.50, available only in advance by post from J McNamara, 31B Brook Road South, Brentford TW8 ONN or from the sponsoring societies. Please send SAE and cheque payable to West London Local History Conference.

The Borough of Twickenham Local History Society: Venue is St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Street. Secretary Ron Knight 020 8878 7041. Visit www.botlhs.co.uk February 2: Brett Dolman of Historic Royal Palaces with an introduction to The Young Henry VIII.

The Historical Association meets in the Vestry Hall, 21 Paradise Road, Richmond, 8pm. £2 visitors, members free, 020 8898 5016. Visitors are welcome. Christine Bartlett 020 8898 5016. February 5: Road transport in England before and after the turnpikes, 1680-1840 by Dorian Gerhold, House of Commons clerk and former chairman Wandsworth History Society.