The origins of the Hampshire Field Club

Thomas Shore

On Friday 20th March 1885, Thomas Shore held a meeting in his room at the Hartley Institute, Southampton, to discuss the formation of a society to study the natural history and antiquities of Hampshire. Those attending were the Rev William Eyre of Swarraton, a noted mycologist, Ernest Westlake of Fordingbridge, William Whitaker of the Geological Survey and the Rev T Woodhouse of Ropley. Others, who sent their apologies and also their support, included the Rev George Godwin, army chaplain and Civil War historian.

Less than three months later, the proposed Club had prepared a set of rules. There would be four field excursions and a general meeting every year, and all members should be engaged in the study of some branch of natural history or antiquities. They should also do their utmost to protect rare plants and birds and preserve objects of antiquity. The Club would be run by a committee of six, based in Southampton, but with local secretaries in other parts of the county. Membership rose rapidly, from around 50 at the time of the first excursion, to over 250 by 1890.