Sept 9

Chris Helme

A postcard from Sunny Bunces.
Yorkshire’s Alton Towers of the 19^th century.

Oct 14

Kate Taylor

From Mission Rooms to Team Ministries: the vicissitudes of the Diocese of Wakefield 1888-2009.
In its 120 year history the Diocese has seen drives to increase the number of churches followed by the problems resulting from over-large and expensive buildings, diminishing congregations and a shortage of clergy.

Nov 11

Ken Rowley

I’m not a Luddite, but neither were they.
The Luddites in the West Riding.

Dec 9

Dave Weldrake
West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory service

The Romans in West Yorkshire.
An overview of 25 years of research carried out since the publication of “West Yorkshire: The Archaeological Survey to 1500”

Jan 13

Fotheringhay Research Group

The Road to Fotheringhay.
550 years ago Richard, Duke of York was killed at the battle of Wakefield. Seventeen years later his son, now Edward IV, arranged a sumptuous funeral procession from Pontefract to Fotheringhay. This talk explores the turbulent history of those years and of the 100 mile route of the procession.
This is a joint meeting with Wakefield Civic Society

Feb 10

Les Woodcock

Discovering the discoveries of Joseph Priestley.
Born in Birstall, Priestley led a life of extraordinary scientific discovery.

Mar 10

AGM
Followed by David Scriven

From landscape to townscape.
The evolution of Ossett from a rural settlement to part of the West Yorkshire conurbation.

April 14

Alan Petford

Aspects of enclosure in the West Riding 1600-1900.
Using examples predominantly from the west of the county, we investigate how land was enclosed from the moors and turned into a vibrant agricultural landscape.