Part III

Activities - 1997 onwards

In its second five years, the Society has concentrated more on historical research and promoting John Hampden by less public means, such as illustrated lectures and publications. The first such venture was the re-printing of Dr Frank Hansford-Miller's 1976 biography of John Hampden, followed, in 2000, by the publication of an investigation into the mystery of Hampden's death, written by Society members Derek Lester and Gill Blackshaw.

However, in October 1997, the Society celebrated its 5th anniversary with a special lunch held in the refectory of Hampden House, and in March 1999 a Spring Lunch was held at the Chiltern Brewery (left). The latter proved to be so popular that it was repeated in November 2000. Both these events were attended by a number of guests.

An even better exhibition than the one in 1997 was mounted in June 2000 in the Masonic Hall, Thame, (below) in association with the Thame Historical Society.

Despite being held on the two hottest days of the year, it was a great success, with more than 500 visitors recorded.

[Grampound, with Trevail, the house where Hampden stayed, on the left]

Perhaps the Society's most successful activity to date was on 1st and 2nd September 2001, when two commemorative plaques were unveiled in Grampound, Cornwall, to mark John Hampden's first entry into Parliament as the ancient borough's MP in 1621. [Seal of the ancient Borough of Grampound with Creed]

From Wednesday August 29th to Saturday 1st September the Society's exhibition was on display in Grampound Primary School; attracting a considerable amount of interest.

On Thursday and Friday evenings two different illustrated talks on John Hampden and his times were given by Graham Barfield (left) and Roy Bailey at the Bowls Club.

These talks were well attended by local people and visiting members of the Society.

On Saturday 1st September the Society, in association with Grampound with Creed Parish Council, hosted a reception in the school, at which the guest of honour was Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenent of Cornwall. This was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Society's Patron, the Earl of Buckinghamshire, on the house where John Hampden is said to have stayed in 1621. A guard of honour was provided by members of Colonel John Hampden's Regiment of Foote of the English Civil War Society.

Later that day members of the Society were given the honour of leading the annual Carnival Parade through the streets of Grampound.
Our pictures show the Society's members forming up behind the banner, carried by Graham Barfield and John Seal (left), and marching out on to Fore Street (below left).

Here they were challenged by Royalists David Miller and Peter Williams (below), before being allowed to continue.

Other members of the Society, wearing 17th century dress, marched in the procession, and on the return, Hampden's Greencoats lowered their standards to salute the plaque on Trevail. (below right).

On Sunday 2nd September a special service was held in the parish church of St. Crida, where John Hampden would have worshipped, after which.the Society's Chairman, Lord Hollenden, unveiled another plaque.

The events of the week culminated in a visit by members of the Society to Port Eliot (below), home of the Earl of St. Germans, to view the Walker portrait of John Hampden.

The portrait, top centre in this photograph, is said to have been given to Sir John Eliot's elder son by John Hampden's son Richard, and is considered to be the only authentic likeness of Hampden in existence.

The John Hampden Society's next project is the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Wendover (Bucks), marking the fact that this was John Hampden's second Parliamentary seat.

    Back to Part II

Activities 1992 - 1997 onwards