Events

“Bishop Vesey - Sutton Coldfield’s great benefactor” by Stella Thebridge

NB: this is an online meeting only, via Zoom, commencing at 3 pm.  

Bishop John Vesey (born Harman), a distinguished member of King Henry VIII’s court and appointed Bishop of Exeter in 1519, returned to Sutton Coldfield in the early 1520s. His significant contributions include securing two charters from Henry VIII: the establishment of a grammar school in 1527, which continues to bear his name, and the creation of a governing body in 1528, a precursor to the later corporation, as well as the preservation of what is now Sutton Park.

This illustrated talk, given by Stella Thebridge, qualified librarian, experienced researcher and writer and WLHS member, will highlight the enduring impact of Bishop Vesey’s work on the town, which remained under Warwickshire’s administration until 1974. The event is particularly timely as Sutton Coldfield prepares to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Charters, from April 2027 to December 2028.

A link to the online talk will be sent to all WLHS members in advance.  If you are not a member, please email secretary@warwickshirehistory.org.uk for a link to the online talk.  This event is open to members and non members.  Attendance is free.

January Outing to Ragley Hall near Alcester, 2 pm to 5 pm

FULLY BOOKED

As the ancestral home of the 9th Marquess & Marchioness of Hertford, Ragley Hall is steeped in a remarkable family history.  Enjoy an exclusive one hour guided tour of the State Rooms and learn about the estate’s colourful history, starting with the initial design process by architect Robert Hooke in 1860. Guests can also explore the gardens, stables and carriage collection at their own leisure.  Refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits upon arrival) included in the price.

We will meet at Ragley Hall, near Alcester, B49 5NJ from 1.45 pm.

Parking/travelling to Ragley Hall

There is ample free parking on site.   Ragley Hall is on local bus routes.  The nearest train stations are Stratford on Avon or Evesham (about 8 to 10 miles away).

Accessibility and toilets

Everywhere on the tour is accessible and there is a lift.  There are toilets. 

Refreshments

The price of your ticket includes tea, coffee and biscuits upon arrival only, as Ragley Hall do not have full catering facilities on site.  However, if you wish to book somewhere nearby, either before or after the event, Hillers Farm Shop and Café, or Arrow Mill, are both nearby and have been recommended by Ragley Hall staff.

Dogs

Assistance dogs only.

A reminder email will be sent about a week before the outing.

Please note it is not always possible to provide a refund in the event of non attendance.

This event will go ahead except in extreme weather conditions so please dress appropriately.

There are 50 places on this tour.  Price £19 members, £21 non members.  Please see the booking form for more details.  You can either print off the booking form and return it to me (address on booking form) or pay by BACS and email me with your booking request.  BACS payments to Acct Name: Warwickshire Local History Society, Acct. No. 00010015 Sort code: 40-52-40, Account type: Business: use YOUR SURNAME as reference please. 

Researches and Resources in Kineton Local History, by David Freke and Colin Such

The Bracebridges in Warwickshire by Yvonne Stone.

Charles Jennens and his family of Nether Whitacre by Rita Poulson.

This meeting will be preceded by the AGM at 7.15 pm

The Village of Frankton c. 1660 - 1680, by Peter Mason.

Peter Mason, author of The Two Manors of Frankton, gave us a fascinating insight into the people of the village of Frankton, as revealed through documentary sources.

We discovered the lives not only of the gentry, but also of the ordinary residents of this quiet Warwickshire village.

Peter explored records from 1660 to 1680, including: taxes, wills and inventories, the church register, legal actions concerning land usage and ownership and other court reports. 

A History of Lawn Tennis in Leamington Spa by Susan Hopcraft.

Susan Hopcraft, author of Leamington’s Game: A History of Leamington Tennis & Squash Club, shared insights into the town’s role in the origins of lawn tennis. Her book marks the club’s possible 150th anniversary and revisits key questions — was the game first played in Leamington or Edgbaston, and in 1872 or 1874?

Susan believes Leamington’s club was the first founded solely for lawn tennis. The sport quickly took off, with the club hosting major tournaments for decades before interest waned.

Today, the club is thriving again, with new squash and padel courts, all-weather floodlit surfaces, and relaxed dress rules — no more compulsory whites or long dresses. Junior coaching is growing, and the evening’s discussion included current players and a Real Tennis enthusiast, noting that two nearby courts still keep that traditional game alive.

The Lady Katherine Leveson Foundation, Temple Balsall.  1.30 pm to 5 pm. 

Nearly 30 of us enjoyed a guided tour of the 12th century Old Hall at Temple Balsall, once the senior court of the Knights Templar in Warwickshire, and the adjacent church of St Mary’s, with Guide and WLHS member Marion Keeley.

We learnt about the legacy of Lady Katherine Leveson (d. 1674), daughter of Sir Robert Dudley, who founded two lasting charitable institutions: the Almshouses, now the Lady Katherine Housing & Care Home, and the Lady Katherine Leveson Primary School.

We enjoyed refreshments in the hall, which was  lovely and warm on a cold day.  

"A Passion for Stratford and Warwickshire Life - Enid and Neville Usher" by Jim Ranahan, Cataloguing Archivist at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Join Jim Ranahan, cataloguing archivist at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, for a fascinating exploration of the Usher siblings. Enid and Neville Usher were long time residents of Stratford-upon-Avon, until Enid's untimely death in 1998 and Neville's in 2021.  They immersed themselves in Stratford and Warwickshire life, not least through their business, the Stratford Bookshop.  Both were strong supporters of local heritage, working with the Stratford Society and for Neville, harnessing his accounting and organisational skills over many years for Warwickshire Local History Society.  In their different ways and through their varied interests, Enid and Neville Usher demonstrated a passion for life across the County.  This passion is reflected in the Papers of Enid and Neville Usher which, along with records relating to the Stratford Bookshop are cared for by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Jim Ranahan is cataloguing archivist at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.  He strives to ensure the collections reflect the lived experience of local people, past and present.  He is also a member of WLHS and you may remember his recent tenure as Lectures Secretary.

Image: Neville Usher, courtesy of Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Shipston on Stour guided history walk and visit to Shipston Museum.    

Nearly 30 of us braved the heat to join historian and Shipston Museum trustee Martin Russell on a history walk around Shipston.  Some of you may remember Martin as he was our guide on the Edgehill Battlefield event a couple of years ago.  We learnt about Shipston-on-Stour’s history, which began in prehistoric times. Following light refreshments at the Black Horse, we finished the afternoon by visiting Shipston Museum, which showcases artefacts from Shipston and surrounding villages from prehistory to post medieval times. 

Arbury Hall, Nuneaton.  2 pm to 5 pm.  

Nearly 50 of us enjoyed a guided tour of Arbury Hall.  This beautiful Elizabethan mansion house was transformed into the Gothic style by Sir Roger Newdigate during the second half of the 18th century, and featured in George Eliot's novels as Cheverel Manor.  All 3 tour guides were excellent and we were fortunate to have Sheila Woolf, WLHS member, as one of them.  After the tour we had a delicious cream team in the onsite tea rooms and were then free to explore the 18th century landscaped gardens at our own pace. A lovely afternoon.

Winterbourne House, Birmingham. 10.30 am to 2 pm.

30 of us enjoyed a guided tour of Winterbourne’s seven acres of beautiful botanical gardens followed by the opportunity to explore this Edwardian Arts and Crafts house at our own pace. 

We explored the woodland walk, strolled through the hazelnut tunnel and crossed the 1930’s Japanese Bridge in this hidden gem of a garden.  The house was built for John Nettlefold, a pioneer of early housing reform in Birmingham at a time when the city had a serious lack of decent homes for working people, and the house contains interesting exhibitions about this, as well as being a light and airy example of an Arts and Crafts house.

'Caring for the Community: The Leigh Family's Legacy' by Sheila Woolf

Join Sheila Woolf, Chair of the Stoneleigh History Society, as she delves into the Leigh family's enduring commitment to Stoneleigh's welfare. From Sir Thomas Leigh's 16th-century arrival to the Second World War, the Leighs significantly influenced village life, helping to shape institutions like the church, almshouses, school, club, inn, and even a workhouse. Drawing from the Leighs' detailed notebooks, this talk offers unique insights into the villagers' lives and their connection to the "big house."

This talk will follow a short AGM, starting at 7.15 pm.

Image: Thomas, Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh (1594 - 1671) courtesy of Lamport Hall

'Discovering Harbury's Heritage' by Bill Timson, Chair of Harbury Heritage Centre

Join us as Bill Timson, Chair of Harbury Heritage Centre, shares the challenges and triumphs of establishing the Harbury Heritage Centre, a hub dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of Harbury village. Find out about the fascinating stories and events that shaped Harbury, hear about the recently published book, Life in Victorian Harbury, and understand how the Heritage Centre aims to connect with all ages through events, fundraising, and outreach.

'Life in Roman Alcester', by Alan Godfrey

We enjoyed Alan Godfrey, Chair of Alcester and District Local History Society's talk on “Life in Roman Alcester”. Alcester became a small Roman town, dating from the Roman invasion of AD 46 when a fort was built on a hilltop to the south of the town, to defend the river crossing. Two Roman roads crossed in Alcester; the Icknield Street running north to south connecting Lichfield with Cirencester, and the Salt Way linking Droitwich with the Fosse Way. The town was later protected by walls and gates, and the earlier fort was abandoned.

'Three Warwickshire Parish Churches' by Dr John Hunt (online meeting).

'Are cemeteries everywhere enclosed, churches properly built and furnished and sacred vessels properly guarded?' Researching parish churches in the western midlands.

Over 60 of us enjoyed this online talk, given by Dr Hunt, as he looked at the history of three Warwickshire Parish Churches: Berkswell, Ansley and Tysoe.  He explored themes from the article he wrote for WLHS’s Warwickshire History Journal recently, which investigated the origins, settlements, structural history and patrons of these three churches.  Dr Hunt  also highlighted work he has undertaken elsewhere in the West Midlands.