Stretton on Dunsmore History Society Meetings 

Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month, starting at 7:30pm. They are usually held in Stretton on Dunsmore Village Hall (unless otherwise indicated). The meetings are free to members, visitors are welcome (£2 for adults and children free). Free refreshments are provided.

Events Programme 2024 

January 16th – ‘Local Policeman PC Anderson’ – illustrated talk by Paul Waddoups.

February 20th –‘Stretton in the 1921 Census’– illustrated talk by Malcolm Gould.

March 12th – (NB second Tuesday in the month) ‘Cordelia Leigh (of Stoneleigh Abbey): her diaries’– talk by local historian Sheila Woolf.

April 16th –  ‘Dr Lilley Smith & the Southam Dispensary’ – Illustrated talk by Linda Doyle.

May 12 or 19th (tbc)- Sunday Afternoon Outing – a guided tour around the newly opened Charterhouse in Coventry. Booking essential (£10 provides annual pass; teas available). Leave our green at 2pm, lifts offered if needed.

June 18th – AGM followed by a talk on ‘Heinz Kittendorf & the local dairy’ – by Roger Clemons.

July 14th – ‘Sunday afternoon Outing’ – Visit to Naseby: source of the Avon, battle monument etc. and hopefully teas!

September 17th – ‘Watermills in Warwickshire’ – an illustrated talk by William Waddilove.

October 15th – ‘Hatton County Lunatic Asylum,‘ – an illustrated talk by Anne Langley.

November 19th – The Plott and Local Allotments’‘ – an illustrated talk by Alec Ross.

December 10th – Social Event – (usually a quiz) on 2nd Tuesday in the month (TBC).

Stretton History ‘Talks’

Some Stretton History Society members offer illustrated ‘Talks’. Anne’s list follows but you are welcome to enquire about any other speakers.

Anne Langley

Local historian Anne Langley is secretary of the Stretton History Society; she has published booklets on ‘Victorian Village Life’, ‘Brandon Silk Mill’ and ‘Warwick County Asylum’ and edited a collection of Joseph Ashby’s writing. She offers illustrated talks on the following. No fee, but a modest donation to ‘Cruse Bereavement Support’ is requested.

Contact Anne by email at:
enquiries@stretton-on-dunsmore-history.org.uk
or telephone 02476 542703 for further details.

Current History ‘Talks’

  • Early photographs of Rugby and surrounding villages 

  • My great-grandfather built railways in Japan

  • The Rev. EN Dew’s trip down the River Avon around 1900

  • History is all around us (look at your locality with new eyes)

  • Tithe maps and documents for family and local historians

  • Victorian Village Life

  • The Victorian Village School

  • Joseph Ashby’s Victorian Warwickshire

  • Warwick County Asylum: the first reformatory in Warwickshire

  • Brandon Silk Mill and child labour

  • Local almshouses (within Warwickshire)

  • Early Allotments in Warwickshire

  • Bertie Greatheed’s 18th century grand tour of Europe

  • Researching and/or writing the history of your community