This talk by Will Motley will explore the history of Wenlock Abbey, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, from the earliest foundation of Wenlock Priory up the end of the 20th Century, with new information about the Milnes Gaskell family at Wenlock Abbey in the 19th century and their visitors such as Henry James, Thomas Hardy and many others. The talk will discuss this rare architectural gem and show pictures of the interior of the Prior’s Lodgings.

Will Motley was born in Much Wenlock and grew up at the Abbey, which was owned by members of his family from the 1540s to the 1980s.

On Saturday 1^st March we had an excellent talk on Stained Glass in and around Bromyard by Rob Walker author of ‘The Medieval Stained Glass of Herefordshire and Shropshire’.

Rob set the scene with a short video on the making of stained glass and the techniques involved before introducing us to the evolving styles of stained glass from medieval times to the present with examples from across Herefordshire and Shropshire.

It was impressive to hear just how many stained glass makers were operating in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries: some of them familiar names such as Kempe and Burne-Jones but also others less well known.

Rob then talked us through the stained glass of St Peter’s in Bromyard and  many of the local churches including work by Kempe in Bockleton, Hamnish and Tedstone Delamere, Hardman in Thornbury (left) and Burne-Jones at Leysters.

Plenty of inspiration for more informed visits to lots of local churches!

Clare Wichbold. Image © Hereford Times

 How the vote was won – The suffrage campaign in Herefordshire, by Clare Wichbold. Exploring the significance of Herefordshire against the national backdrop of votes for women during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Read More

The Society held its annual AGM at The Falcon on the evening of 18^th November with the agenda following that published to members earlier, along with a proxy voting form. The meeting was attended by upwards of 30 members, a very good turn out considering the weather, and also a number of members made use of their proxy voting forms. Read More

Bromyard and District Local History Society

is based in Bromyard, Herefordshire, England, and was founded in 1966. It exists to foster interest, enjoyment, research and publication in the field of our local history.
We offer members a varied programme of events, at least monthly, throughout the year. These are mainly illustrated lectures in the winter and guided outings in the summer, but also include many social occasions. We stage an exhibition every year at the centre and have published a number of books. An annual journal contains articles on local history and accounts of our activities.

The Local & Family History Centre

at 5, Sherford Street, Bromyard is the headquarters of Bromyard and District Local History Society. It houses exhibition space, a shop, research room and archive. It is run entirely by volunteers and receives no regular local authority financial support. The building was purchased by the Society in 1999 and converted to its present use with assistance of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The centre was opened for public use on May 1st 2003 and has been an overwhelming success and widely admired for the range of heritage services being provided on a voluntary basis under one roof.

The Research Room,  Archive, Exhibition Room and Shop are open:

Thursday 10 am – 1.00 pm & 2 pm – 4.30pm
Friday 10 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 4.30pm
Saturday 10 am – 12.30pm
For general enquiries please phone 01885 488755 or for the Research Room 01885 498600 – a message maybe left outside opening hours.

History on Broad St (HOBS)

We also have premises at 12 Broad St, Bromyard. This includes a shop selling our
publications and a wide range of other books together with local crafts.
HOBS is open
Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 5pm
1st Sunday of the month 10 am-1 pm
01885 498525

We are a voluntary organisation

and receive no regular income from the local authorities. Our running costs for the Local & Family History Centre are high and the few charges made only cover a small percentage of our expenses. Please help keep us going – your donation would be very much appreciated.