Monthly Meetings
2020 Meetings
January 14th — LOST LONDON
Dr Colin Cohen takes us on a virtual tour of the streets of old London looking at the capital’s history over 2000 years.
February 11th — MORE THAN JUST A MARKET
Derek Simmonds describes the long history of Melton Mowbray cattle market from Anglo Saxon times to its current site on Scalford Road where it has been for 150 years.
February 25th — ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – in the Onyx Room
March 10th — QUIZ NIGHT AND HOT SUPPER
The return of our popular General Knowledge Quiz with prizes for the winning table. Licensed bar.
April 14th — ANOTHER ICARUS: THE RISE & FALL OF PERCY PILCHER
Roy Smart presents the story of pioneer aviator Percy Pilcher whose unheralded achievements predate those of the Wright Brothers and who died tragically in a flying accident at nearby Stanford Hall.
May 12th — THE HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL TRUST
Alan Tyler discusses the story of the charity which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
June 9th — THE HISTORY OF CORBY STEELWORKS
Tony Rothery looks at the history of the famous steelworks from its beginnings in 1930s through its heyday and subsequent decline. He also covers the growth of Corby from rural village to industrial town.
July 14th — “FOLLOW ME PLEASE”: THE LIFE & TIMES OF A TOUR GUIDE
Jill Collinge returns with humorous and entertaining tales of working as a tour guide.
August 11th — TOUR OF GUILSBOROUGH
Local guide David O’Neil takes us on a walk around this nearby historic village.
September 8th — MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS
2020 is the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to America. Historian and author Adrian Gray looks at the background to the voyage and asks why did their leaders all come from the E. Midlands.
October 13th — NOT SUCH AN ANGEL: NURSING IN THE 1950s
Linda Straw recalls the trials and tribulations of nursing in the 1950s.
November 10th — THE STORY OF A REMARKABLE HOUSE: WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE
Trish Woods looks at one of the nation’s greatest country houses. A story of intense rivalry and great wealth. A tale of decline, decay, abandonment and ultimate rescue.
December 8th — WITCH TRIALS IN LEICESTERSHIRE IN THE 17th CENTURY
Dr Len Holden discusses the cases of the Husbands Bosworth and Belvoir witches.