AGM and talks by members
Wed 11 March
At our AGM thanks were paid to our outgoing President Pam Judkins for her outstanding contribution for the last 14 years.
The AGM was followed by talks by members of the Civic Art research group: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/p...
Today is International Women's Day and this post features a newspaper report from Penrith Observer on 4 September 1917 about Nellie Spindler from Wakefield who as a nurse in World War 1 in France who paid the ultimate sacrifice for helping many others.
#IWD
A new post has been added to the Matthew Tomlinson Journal blog. Tomlinson often welcomed strangers into his farmhouse, and he was always pleased to engage in theological discussion, this time on the nature of God: matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/03/08/d...
A new post has been added to our blog, 'Matthew Tomlinson's Journal.' Tomlinson watched the impressive funeral of John Carr the famous architect who was buried in 1807 at Horbury parish church which he had designed and funded. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/02/28/t...
County Hall Wakefield, former seat of the West Riding County Council, and Wakefield's most elegant classical building.
The #GregorianCalendar was introduced in a papal bull #OnThisDay in 1582.
Despite numerous attempts by radicals to reform the calendar, commerce usually decides how we measure time.
🔓 This archive article is free for 7 days
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
There is a new post on the Matthew Tomlinson blog: 'Attending an Inquest on a Dead Baby, February 1808': matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/02/21/a... The inquest had to decide whether this was a case of infanticide, and Tomlinson shows his sympathy for the mother and her family.
In the folklore of Wakefield, few figures loom larger than George a Green, the “Pindar of Wakefield.” Celebrated in a 1599 play, he is portrayed as a man of formidable strength, robust good humour and unshakeable loyalty to crown and town. His title comes from his office. A pindar (or pinder)
Meeting of the Local and Family History Network at Wakefield Library, this Monday 23rd February: "Matthew Tomlinson and his Journal' by David Scriven.
1.30-3 pm, free event, all welcome
In February 1812 Matthew Tomlinson comments on the death of 'Mr Stannop Taylor' of Newmillerdam, and philosophises about women becoming 'old maids'. Find out more from the excerpts from Matthew Tomlinson's Journals: matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/02/15/f...
On this day in 1906 Horbury Library first opened its doors!
To learn more about the history of the library, visit: wakefieldlibraries.wordpress.com/2024/05/02/t...
#Horbury #History #Libraries #OnThisDay #Wakefield #OnThisDay
@wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social
@wfdhistsoc.bsky.social
Are you ready for tomorrow at Horbury Library for the 120th Birthday Party. From 10-00am tomorrow. Lots happening! Love your Library, first opened 14th February 1906. @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @horburysouthossett.bsky.social @darrenbyford.bsky.social
'It began in Wakefield: 3 Wakefield Men and the Oxford Connection - an overview'
Talk by David Leyshon, WHS Meeting on 11th February 2026
Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/p...
John Radcliffe (1650-1714) courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Taking part in Mass Observation Archive events is a wonderful way to contribute in creating historical resources. Here's details of their event for #LGBTplusHM
Come along on Friday 13th February 10.30am to Horbury Library, when Richard Bell, Horbury artist and natural history writer recalls his lifetime links to his local library. @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @wflibraries.bsky.social @horburysouthossett.bsky.social
Matthew Tomlinson Journals
In February 1833 Matthew Tomlinson age 68 was hedging in his fields and reflected on how to stay fit and healthy. See the new post on the Matthew Tomlinson blog:
matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/02/07/h...
Less than a week to go! Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11th February, West Yorkshire Archives, Kirkgate Wakefield, at 7pm.
'It Began in Wakefield: 3 Wakefield Men and the Oxford Connection - An Overview'. Talk by David Leyshon.
www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/l...
A new post has been added on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: 'A Drowning in the Calder during a Foxhunt, February 1810'
matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/02/01/a...
@barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
Yes, that's the Ridings in Wakefield en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rid...
when it was sparkly and new.
As a history society we'd prefer to produce documentary evidence but, you can take it from us, it did and does have pants
The Journals of Matthew Tomlinson of Doghouse Farm Lupset
What were the thoughts that went through a Lupset farmer's mind 200 years ago? Find out more: excerpts from the three journals of Matthew Tomlinson 1806-1812, 1832-1834 and 1836-1839. : matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/01/04/m...
This coming Monday 26th January the Local and Family History Network at Wakefield Library will be 'Living with the Dead: stories, photos and what gets left behind' and will include a talk by Professor Laura King. All welcome, free event. 1.30 - 3pm.
Plenty of both ginnels and snickets in Wakefield (depending on who you ask).
Thanks to everyone who attended our January joint meeting with @wakefieldcivicsoc.bsky.social to hear another entertaining and thorough talk by Peter Brears.
Always a treat to hear one of Peter Brears’ lectures!
Reminder of our meeting tomorrow Wed 14th Jan
Didn't they have some interesting road names back in 1850. Humble Jumble Lane, now known as Alverthorpe Road, Wakefield
Wakefield Historical Society meeting Wed 14 January:
'Everyday Life in Seventeenth Century Calderdale' - talk by Peter Brears.
Wakefield Town Hall 7pm.
There will be a live stream of the talk.
Information and booking via Wakefield Civic Society's Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/everyday-l...
The first Monday after today Epiphany - 6 January) was Plough Monday, the traditional start of the agricultural year. It was celebrated with young men called "Plough Stotts" parading a decorated plough, performing sword dances, and collecting money for church plough
**Top Ten Images of the Year · #8 of 10**
Owl lovers unite! 🦉
Completely struck by this lovely depiction of an owl in the choir stalls at Wakefield Cathedral.
