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 2025 

January 21 – ‘Hatton County Lunatic Asylum’– by Anne Langley. 
February 18 – ‘Treasures from the village archives’
March 18 – ‘The Tragic Baron – Genius or Madman?’ – by Sheila Woolfe.
April 15 –  ‘Stretton in WWII – by Paul Waddoups.
May (tbc) – ‘Outing’– Details to be confirmed.
June 17 – AGM – and short talk on the Chamberlayne tombs in the churchyard.
July 13 – ‘Outing’ – to Marton and the Bygones Museum.
September 16 – ‘The Life of a Wife & Family of a Working Canal Boatman’– by Barry Watson.
October 21 – ‘Stretton Village Oral History Memories‘ – by Alec Ross.
November 18 – ‘Bygones’ – an interactive evening by David Sweeney.
December 16 – Quiz and Social Event – Details to be confirmed.

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