Programme for 2026
Unless otherwise stated, our meetings begin at 7.30pm at Wesley Hall, School Rd, Elmswell, IP30 9EE – where there’s ample free on-site parking.
8 January: Members’ Evening – Three short talks, being a selection of members’ own researches, i.e. “Growing up on the Ickworth Estate”, “The History of Postcards”, and “Memories of 1950-60s Woolpit”. Due to cold and icy conditions, this was postponed to 12th February – see below.
12 February: Members’ Evening – Three short talks, being a selection of members’ own researches, i.e. “Growing up on the Ickworth Estate”, “The History of Postcards”, and “Memories of 1950-60s Woolpit”.
12 March: Roy Clare, “Suffolk Connections with Charles Darwin’s Voyage on the Beagle”
9 April: Mark Lawrence, “Hadleigh Guildhall”
14 May: Richard Brice of The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, “Project to Construct a Replica (full-size) Anglo-Saxon Longboat“ – buried in the 7th century, re-born in the 21st.
11 June: 7pm, AGM – then at 7.30pm, Terry O’Donoghue’s “History of West Suffolk Hospital“. As an experienced Bury Town Guide and current Vice-Chairman of the Bury Society, Terry is extremely well placed to give us this jaunt through the history of medical provision in the town and, in particular, the founding of the original West Suffolk Hospital and its development through the early years. This not-too-heavy reflection on the last 200 years will inform and amuse, taking in a few of the characters involved, some eccentric, some dedicated, but none of them boring.
SATURDAY, 11 July: 2-4pm – Exhibition on “History of English Women’s Football since WW1“. The experienced curator of this exhibition, Steve Bolton, will be in attendance throughout the afternoon to talk through his displays and answer any questions. As a precursor to this event, we’d highly recommend watching the excellent documentary on BBC4, shown on 19th May, about a Manchester Ladies Football Team from 1949, called “The Corinthians – We Were the Champions”, available on the iPlayer.
It’s only £2pp entry to our Exhibition (cash only please), under 16’s Free of Charge. Everyone welcome, so do join us then to find out much more, and there’ll be a good variety of refreshments available all afternoon at the Wesley’s on-site Café and adjacent Tavern.