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Latest BDLHS News
WWII – 80 YEARS ONTHE END OF THE WAROn May 8th 1945, World War II in Europe came to an end. As the news of Germany’s surrender reached the rest of the world, joyous crowds gathered to celebrate in the streets of Bromyard, clutching newspapers that declared Victory in Europe, V-E Day.The Bromyard & District Local History Society will launch a new book which accompanies the new exhibition on Saturday 14th June at 10.30am at the Local & Family History Centre, Sherford Street. 10.30am – 2.30pm.The book is packed with local photographs featuring street parties, local servicemen and women and lots more.Available to purchase for £6.00 from the day of the launch. […] Read more…
Firstly, a huge thank you to Debbie and Peter for hosting the afternoon at Thornbury on Monday 19th May. The weather was glorious – warm and sunny but not overly hot. We had a wonderful turn out at the church for Debbie’s talk after which a general discussion and Q&A ensued with much members’ knowledge being shared. Tea and yummy cakes were served in the garden afterwards and hopefully a good time was had by all. We sold £24 worth of the new Thornbury Church publication and we raised a further £132 from donations which has been split equally between the History Society and St Anna’s Church. We look forward to seeing another good turn out for Rowden Mill Station on 26th June. David Grant and I did a site visit earlier in the week and a flyer and an update on the format and parking arrangements will be circulated in a few days’ time. In the meantime, enjoy these photos from Thornbury.Joy Hoyle […] Read more…
On 30th March 2025  Phyllis died peacefully at home in Skenfrith with her family, aged 100 years.Historian, author and farmer; Phyllis was born in Birmingham to Frank and Dolly Cope. Frank, was a successful motorsport racer who owned and managed a popular garage and motorcycle dealership.During the second world war she served with the ATS and NAAFI. Afterwards travelling to Ontario to work on a market garden farm. When she returned she bought a farm near Bromyard where she established a dairy herd, married Noel and raised her family.At this time she helped found the Bromyard and District Local History Society and started a lifelong interest in researching and writing books on local history.She did volunteer work at both the Samaritans and Citizens Advice Bureau in Worcester; and served for a time as Director and Chairman of the Samaritans. She also volunteered for a time at Bromyard Hospital manning a trolley with toiletries and chocolates.Phyllis spent her last 30 years living in Skenfrith and will be lovingly remembered by her six children; Caroline, Tim, Meg, Jon, Ben and Kate. She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.Her funeral service will be held at St Bridget’s Church, Skenfrith on Tuesday 29th April at 1pm. All are welcome to attend.Please wear colours that reflect a celebration of Phyllis’s life.Please make any charitable donations to St Bridget’s Church or St Michael’s Hospice, who lovingly cared for her and the family during her final days.  […] Read more…
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. […] Read more…
An exciting new initiative, Food Stories of Bromyard, by the BDLHS will be officially launched on the 3rd of April, between 5 and 8pm in the Oak Room at the Falcon Hotel in Bromyard. As refreshments will be served we would appreciate that you email Jayne at jayne@foodscapes.co.uk letting her know you will be attending by 27th March.  Jayne Bradley (a freelance food project manager) has been interviewing local farmers and food producers for the archive, with a grant awarded by HM Government, Cultural Development Fund. She has interviewed 8 local farmers and producers. The interviews will go into our archive. For a sneak preview of one of the interviews click on the image to the right. She has also created a map for visitors to Bromyard (above) which will be available across the town. The map will pinpoint all the significant food locations across the area. People will also be able to go online and download a recording of the best of the clips from the oral history interviews. Jayne was keen for visitors to our town to be able to find out more about past and present stories of farming and food production in the area and to feel connected to Bromyard’s significant food history. Jayne wants to continue to develop awareness of the amazing food economy of the town and the rich history of agriculture in the area. She wants to put Bromyard on the Food Map and Food Stories of Bromyard is another step in that direction.   […] Read more…
On Saturday 1st 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 19th and early 20th 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! […] Read more…
Stained Glass in Bromyard and the Surrounding Village Churches by Rob Walker 1st March at the LHS centre on Sherford St, 14:00 – 16:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served at half time. £10.00 per person, booking essential before 14th February.   Numbers are limited so please book by email to anna.ross@live.co.uk to ensure there are remaining places. Payment can be made online via the button below, at the LHS or HOBS on Broad St.  Rob Walker is the author of  ‘The Medieval Stained Glass of Herefordshire and Shropshire‘, a richly-illustrated book which represents the first comprehensive study of the medieval stained glass of Herefordshire and Shropshire, and includes a gazetteer of all known surviving stained glass in the two counties for the period c.1300–1700. (This book is available to buy from our online shop, LHS centre and at HOBS on Broad St).   Powered by […] Read more…
Our next talk will be on the 12th of March at the Conquest Theatre – 7.30pm.  The Hill & Evans Vinegar Line and the Worcester Gas Works  – the industrial history of the Shrub Hill area, now designated as a regeneration zone. Two chemists founded the world’s largest vinegar works in 1830, later producing 2 million gallons of malt vinegar annually. To aid distribution, in 1872 a railway track linked the Great Filling Hall to Shrub Hill station sidings, crossing Pheasant Street and the canal. This illustrated talk by Chris Wilkinson will chart the line from Worcester’s motive power depot to the vinegar works at Lowesmoor with many then & now images and humorous anecdotes scattered throughout the talk. Book Here Everyone is welcome, members free, guests £6.00. Tea, coffee, snacks and a full bar will be available together with a raffle – a good social evening with an interesting talk.  It would be helpful if you can pre-book before the event through the theatre booking system. This saves queuing at the box office before the start of the talk. Even though there is no charge for members, a complete list of those attending is required for fire safety reasons. Members will receive an email with a password allowing free booking. Book online:  Here  or telephone 01885 488575 – Saturday and Wednesday mornings. […] Read more…
Our programme for the year has just been released – more information will be added but for a sneaky peek  see https://bromyardhistorysociety.org.uk/programme   […] Read more…
On Sunday 8th December we met at the Falcon for the Bromyard and District Local History Society Christmas Lunch. Sue Cooper welcomed us and introduced Jane Bradley and her Food Stories of Bromyard information boards. Beautifully cooked turkey, ham and a sweet potato Wellington were served carvery style with plenty of different vegetables (there were some very laden plates!) followed by a choice of puddings and then coffee. Natalie and Sue organised a raffle with some great prizes to round of the event and we all went home with a copy of the Food Stories map. […] Read more…
The Society held its annual AGM at The Falcon on the evening of 18th 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. The minutes of last year’s AGM and the Trustees Reports and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th April, 2024 were passed and the following Trustees were elected for the forthcoming year: Hugh Farey, David Grant, Debbie Hughes, Jane Merry, Cliff Morris, Mandy Palmer and Anna Ross. The Officers elected for the forthcoming year were: Chairman: Sue Cooper; Secretary: Natalie Miller; Treasurer: Ian Campbell. A note for your diary: the AGM 2025 will be held on November 10th at 7pm. Sue would like to let everyone know that she is on duty at HOBS on Monday mornings and Saturday afternoons; and at the Centre on Friday afternoons, and she will be very pleased to see and talk to any members and to discuss any concerns.   […] Read more…
Many thanks go to all who came along and supported the Annual Christmas Fair at the Local & Family History Centre on Saturday. Whether you came along to visit, help on a stall, made or donated mince pies or gave raffle prizes, thank you, it was very much appreciated. You’ll be pleased to know it raised approximately £200.00 on the day. Everyone who attended, very much enjoyed the mulled drinks and mince pies and it was also a lovely social occasion with members of the Society and the public. Mandy Palmer […] Read more…
Our new BDLHS 2025 calendar is available to buy from the the Centre shop, HOBS and from our online shop. It features a selection of fascinating photos from our collection. Priced at just £5.00 (£6.90 incl P&P within the UK) it makes a great gift although you’ll probably also want to keep one for yourself! Featuring 13 monthly pages there is plenty of space to record appointments, birthdays and reminders. And as there is also a January 2026 page you can ensure that until your next calendar arrives you have a little extra overlap. […] Read more…
On Saturday 5th October a Family History Open Day was held at the Local & Family History Centre in Sherford Street. We opened at 10.30am and it wasn’t long before the first couple of researchers arrived. Several of our extremely well qualified volunteers were kind enough to give their time to help. We were also joined by the Herefordshire Family History Society who proved to be a great help. We had a wonderful turnout on the day, of people researching local Bromyard families as well as some researching their property and family from outside our district. Amazingly, two researchers who moved into the area from elsewhere discovered they had ancestors from Bromyard, it is said that we tend to go back to our roots! We ended the day at 4pm absolutely exhausted but very pleased and satisfied that we were able to help so many people. The researchers on the day were so happy that they have promised to return as soon as they can to find out more about their roots. The day was such a success that we will be holding another Open Day next Spring, so watch this space! In the meantime, the research room at the Local & Family History Centre is open every Thursday & Friday 10am – 4.30pm (closed 1pm-2pm for lunch) and Saturday 10am – 12.30pm. Our volunteers are always on hand to help. There is no fixed charge except for printouts but donations are very much welcome to keep us going. We have no public funding but rely on fundraising, members subsciptions and donations from the public.   […] Read more…
On Thursday 29th August our Chairman Alex Hoyle died suddenly whilst out cycling aged only sixty six years old. This news came as a terrible shock to us all. Alex Hoyle and his wife Joy moved to Herefordshire in 1998. They rented a cottage in Burley Gate for several months whilst waiting to occupy Wootton Farm in Pencombe. Alex’s background had been in the building trade. That was the start of a friendship with Barry and Erica Lawrence who introduced them to the Bromyard & District Local History Society about 2000. Alex joined the History Society at a time when the newly purchased History Centre was being adapted for our use. Members assisted with the decoration and there are photos of Alex, being tall, painting ceilings and many other tasks. Alex’s first term, of four as Chairman of the Society was in 2002 and he was in post when the History Centre was officially opened by the then Lord Lieutenant in May 2003 Alex was always willing to help friends and members alike. We worked as a team to try and ensure the efficient operation of all activities. Alex was very forgiving of some of the volunteers lack of computer expertise but was always patiently willing to assist. He was nominated to represent the History Society at a Royal Garden Party in 2021 but sadly because of Covid this did not take place. Alex was the welcoming face of the Society not only on the Reception Desk but in representing the Society at local and other events. His knowledge of anything technical and especially computers was wide ranging which resulted in the phrase “Ask Alex” being everyone’s first port of call. He treated everyone with respect and everyone respected him too. As well as being Chairman several times, he was also Chairman of publications, membership secretary, he ran the website and dealt with the online shop. He was chief clock winder for the society’s grandfather clock and general D.I.Y person. He was extremely caring and generous with his time. Alex did so much for everyone and will be most sorely missed not only by Society members but also by the many friends  in the other activities in which he was involved. He has left such a huge hole and we couldn’t have wished for a better friend and colleague. It’s difficult to know how we will cope without you, you did so much and yours are big shoes to fill but we will do our best to keep up the good work. R.I.P […] Read more…
14th September, 2024 – Raffle draw with nibbles and wine This year our “summer raffle” turned out to be a “late summer or early autumn raffle” but was very well supported by members of the Society and the general public who visited the Centre or Shop. The main prize was a picnic basket of comestibles to the value of £100.00 which was won by Sue and John Lahiff. We also offered “consolation” prizes: second prize of chocolates and prosecco was won by Mike Field; third prize of a bottle of red wine was won by Stuart Anderson; fourth prize of a bottle of ginger wine went to Cliff Morris. The draw, as advertised on the tickets, took place over a glass of wine and nibbles, at the History Centre in Sherford Street; a very pleasant occasion. The BDLHS is very grateful for all the support from our members and the proceeds of over £500.00 will be a nice addition to our funds. A big thank you to all who took part in any capacity. Our new exhibition ” Made in Bromyard & District” (click this link for more info) is now open at the History Centre. […] 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. […] Read more…