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Held at Church Cottage, the event drew more than 60 guests.
The evening kicked off with a lively questions and answer session featuring the author Mary Oliver and the society’s chair, Mark Peryer.
Guests were treated to insights into her research process and her passion for Old Basing’s rich heritage.
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Following this, Paul McCulloch of Pre-Construct Archaeology gave a talk on recent excavations at a Saxon cemetery in New Alresford, which offered attendees a fascinating glimpse into local archaeology.
The evening also had a book-signing session, during which the queue of eager readers stretched the entire length of Church Cottage.
Mary Oliver personally signed copies of her book, which delves into the early history of Old Basing, a subject close to her heart.
The celebrations concluded with a special moment as she cut into a custom-made cake adorned with the cover design of her book.
Mary Oliver, a long-time resident of Old Basing, is no stranger to the Basingstoke history community.
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A founding member of the Basingstoke Archaeological and Historical Society, she previously served as assistant curator at the Willis Museum and later as Keeper of Archaeology in Hull.
Returning to Basingstoke, she continued her career by teaching archaeology and inspiring a new generation of history enthusiasts.
Contact the soceity at bahsoc.org.uk for a copy of the book.
