Henley Society Talk – Aldermen and Mayors: Life of Henley before WWI

The Henley Society will be hosting it’s first Zoom talk on Wednesday 10 March by new member, Michael Redley (above left) on the subject of Aldermen and Mayors: the life of Henley before the First World War.

Michael is a resident of Henley and an historian who teaches at the Department for Continuing Education at Rewley House in Oxford. During lockdown he has focused his research on his home town and delivered talks on Henley matters to several local groups.  Last year Michael discovered the gravestone of six-times former Mayor and notable Henley builder, Charles Clements and brought this to the attention of current Henley Mayor, Ken Arlett who gave funding to have the gravestone restored.

The talk will be centred around the local authority of Victorian and Edwardian times. The Town Council first elected in 1883, built well and all these years later we still live largely within the geographical limits and ideas about the town which they pioneered. Twenty individuals had been Mayor of Henley by 1914. Who were they? What were their backgrounds? What were the main politics of the town at that time? Michael will reveal all in a fascinating 40 minute talk (followed by questions).

The talk on 10 March at 7pm is free to join.  To register send an email to chairman@thehenleysociety.org with ‘Redley ticket’ in the subject box. Joining instructions will then be sent a few days prior to the event.

The Henley Society Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 16 April, at 7pm, probably via Zoom. Full details will be released nearer the time.