A Whimsical Journey Through the History of the Salt Hill Society

Gather 'round, dear friends, for a tale that begins at the charming Three Tuns Inn in picturesque Salt Hill, Slough, where one fateful Tuesday in April 1783, the illustrious Salt Hill Society was born!

Since that landmark day, these merry members have met up every year—only skipping a couple of times during the tumultuous World Wars and once during the World pandemic of the 2020s. This means the Society can proudly claim to be older than Republican France and nearly as old as the United States! To paint the picture of that era: Mozart was a sprightly 27 years old, while legendary figures like Napoleon, Wordsworth, and Wellington were merely teenagers! Meanwhile, London bustled with 900,000 inhabitants, and the Society's first lavish dinner—complete with food and wine for 40 hungry members—set them back a mere £5. Talk about a feast!

But wait, there's more! Our beloved Salt Hill isn’t just a picturesque locale; it’s steeped in royal connections! It was here that cunning Eton boys once waylaid travellers to collect "salt money" during the ancient Montem ceremony, a quirky tradition dating back to the 1400s. King George III, a generous patron of Eton, wholeheartedly supported this tradition until some unruly antics led it to be shelved in 1844.

The Society's original mission? A noble one indeed: “for protection of persons and property from thieves, vagabonds, and footpads,” or, in other words, keeping the good folk of the land safe and sound. And let’s not forget that local gentry were all in on the action, supporting this noble endeavour with enthusiasm. 

Fast forward through seven generations, and the Salt Hill Society stands strong, having enchanted countless members with camaraderie and connection. While the first members cherished renewed friendships back when communication was a bit more of a slog, today, the Society shines even brighter. In our fast-paced world, where time slips away like sand through our fingers, the chance to gather and celebrate together is more precious than ever! So here’s to the Salt Hill Society—a storied tradition that continues to weave a rich tapestry of community, laughter, and perhaps the occasional toast!

Rules

The Society has been running since 1783. It retained some interesting, if somewhat arcane, rules, such as:-

"THAT the Money so raised shall form a Fund, to be applied and disposed of towards paying the several REWARDS hereinafter mentioned; and defraying all such reasonable Costs, Charges, and Expenses… in advertising, taking, and prosecuting such Person or Persons as shall be (or be strongly suspected to have been) guilty of the Crimes hereinafter specified."

The various rewards that were available also make interesting reading e.g.

A copy of the complete rules from 1908, showing the membership of the time, can be seen here:

Committee

Ian Anderson (Treasurer)
Philip Astles (Secretary)
The Lord Burnham (President)
Jo Davis
William Emmett
John Frost
Andrew Hillier
Robert Lidstone (Chairman of the Committee)
Nigel Pausey
Colin Rayner
Mark Thomas

Honorary Life Members
John Barker
Clive Lidstone MBE

The committee are always looking for members to join them. If this is of interest, please contact the Secretary Philip Astles.

Join the Fun: Become a Member of the Salt Hill Society!

We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome new members into our lively fold! No fancy qualifications are needed—just a genuine interest in our vibrant local community will do the trick. As a member, you’ll not only enjoy perks like attending our AGM and booking your own tickets for dinners (at a delightful discount, no less!), but you’ll also be supporting the fantastic Thames Valley Adventure Playground, making a real difference in our community.

If you’re ready to join the Salt Hill Society, simply download and complete the application forms below, then send them off to our wonderful Secretary, Philip Astles. The annual subscription is a bargain at just £10!

Oh, and just a friendly heads-up: your application will need a Proposer and a Seconder. If you don’t know anyone in the Society yet, no worries! Just reach out to Philip Astles, and he’ll be more than happy to help arrange a meet-up with some lovely Committee members.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and join the fun at the Salt Hill Society—where community spirit thrives, friendships flourish, and your membership supports the brilliant Thames Valley Adventure Playground!

Our 'Next Merry Meeting'

The 242nd annual dinner will be held on Thursday 5th March 2026 at the Delta Hotel Heathrow (Marriott Hotel), Ditton Road, Langley, SL3 8PT (Junction 5 of M4). At 6:45 for 7:15pm. Bookings may be made online below.

Speakers

The Countess Howe

Elizabeth Curzon, The Countess Howe, was brought up in Buckinghamshire and educated at Headington School, Oxford, and at Cambridge University. She had a career in teaching before moving to Penn to help run the family estate. She was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire in 1995 and had the honour of serving as High Sheriff for the year 2010-11. She became His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant in 2020. Involving herself in local schools as a Governor, and a volunteer music teacher, Lady Howe also immersed herself in the work of a range of local charities, including Chairmanship of Heart of Bucks, the Community Foundation for Buckinghamshire, patron of Milton Keynes Islamic Art, Heritage and Culture, and president of the Epilepsy Society.

Peter Pearson CB CBE

Lieutenant General Peter Pearson served in a number of senior positions throughout his military career, including Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as well as Deputy Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Following retirement, he became Executive Director of The British Schools Exploring Society as well as Lieutenant of the Tower of London. He became the Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor in 2012, which is part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, and dates from the mid-sixteenth century. Since 1905, the role has been controlled by the Constable of Windsor Castle, and has always been a senior retired military officer.

Alfie Moore

Alfie Moore spent over twenty years on the Humberside Police force before turning to stand-up comedy, with an emphasis on seeing the lighter sides of the law. Alfie has appeared on the ITV’s Show Me the Funny, Channel 5's The Wright Stuff, BBC's Comic Relief, as well as being the presenter of Channel 5 ‘s Caught on Camera. Alfie is now best known for presenting his own stand-up comedy show on BBC Radio 4 called Alfie Moore – It's a Fair Cop, with Series 9 running in 2025.

Exciting Announcement: Adoption of Thames Valley Adventure Playground

The Salt Hill Society is proud to announce our commitment to supporting the Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP) as our chosen charity. Established in 1979, TVAP has been a beacon of hope for disabled children and adults, providing them, along with their carers and families, with invaluable respite days, advice, and recreational opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.

Located on the borders of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, TVAP spans 2.5 acres and offers a uniquely adapted wonderland that caters to individuals with a wide range of disabilities. The playground is well-known for its adventurous, therapeutic, and educational play facilities, which not only promote inclusion but also foster a sense of community and support among families, schools, community groups, and care homes.

We recognize the vital role that TVAP plays in the lives of those it serves, often being described as a ‘lifeline’ for many beneficiaries. It is a place where everyone is respected and afforded the same opportunities to play and enjoy life, free from judgment.

We invite our members and the community to join us in supporting this incredible organization as we work together to enhance the recreational choices available for individuals with disabilities and their families.

For more information about the Thames Valley Adventure Playground and how you can get involved, please visit their website at www.tvap.co.uk.

Together, let’s make a difference!

Contact Us

SECRETARY:
Philip Astles
392 Edinburgh Avenue
Slough SL1 4UF
T: 01753 532541
E: PAstles@kiddrapinet.co.uk