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...

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.

Thanks to everyone who attended our January joint meeting with @wakefieldcivicsoc.bsky.social to hear another entertaining and thorough talk by Peter Brears.

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.

Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, S. Yorks aims to complete 18th chapel restoration in 2026 including the Gerard Seghers paintings which dates back to the 1630's. 👇 BBC News - Wentworth Woodhouse trust aims to complete chapel restoration in 2026 - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Happy Old Years Eve, everyone. May your future be full of History!

The splendid plate of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou drawn 1817 by the inimitable Charles A. Stothard. @churchmonuments.bsky.social @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social

Historic England is seeking memories and stories of listed pubs. Wakefield has a number of listed pubs, for instance the Elephant and Castle on Westgate, or the Black Swan on Silver Street. Can you help? More information: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/historic-eng...

Did medieval people buy each other Christmas gifts? New Year's Day was the main gifting day, but little is known about everyday people's present giving. Our project on London's customs records has uncovered a wealth of affordable items imported around this time: gloves and hats to toys and rattles🧵

Our interactive map showing all buildings recorded by the YVBSG has just been updated! The latest version includes this intriguing little outbuilding at Woodsome Hall. If you're a member, the map also gives you access to the full online reports. Browse at www.yvbsg.org.uk/reports.html.

Wishing a very happy and peaceful Christmas to all our friends and followers. This is all cut with scissors and shows depictions of entertainments in the Regency period - how will your Christmas and New Year entertainments compare?

NEW BLOG Barbara Annie Dixon 5 St. John's Square, Wakefield The latest blog for the St. John's Square #OnePlaceStudy is about Barbara Annie Dixon who worked at Bletchley Park during World War 2. /1 www.ancestralenquiries.co.uk/post/one-pla...

What a wonderful resource. Textile history is central to the history of West Yorkshire

Information about our next meeting:  'New Research about the Battle of Wakefield' talk by Paul Dawson Wed. 10 December, 7pm, West Yorkshire History Centre, Kirkgate WF1 1JG Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/l...

A blue plaque for the former boardroom of the Aire & Calder Navigation at Navigation Yard near to Chantry Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, Wakefield who moved to Leeds in 1850. Built in the early 19th century in stone with a hipped slate roof with an entrance in Tuscan columns /1

A recording of a recent YVBSG talk by Philip Sands on the history of Woodsome Hall near Huddersfield can now be viewed at youtu.be/2PGeqLuA0jg?.... Philip takes us on a virtual tour of the building which has a complicated and fascinating history and has been dendro-dated to 1462.

I've posted these before around remembrance time before but they are well worth a view at any time of year. Part of the IWM's Women's Work in the War (1914-18) collection, these photograph show female workers at Craddocks Wire Rope Factory in Wakefield. The firm

Visited St. Mary the Virgin Chantry Chapel, Wakefield with @deadsleuth.com yesterday. It was full of people inside, so I didn't take any interior photos. I bought a new book written by Wakefield historian, Kate Taylor. It is the surviving chantry of 4 in Wakefield & built /1

So interesting at our meeting last night to learn from Tegwen Roberts the many projects involved in the Heritage Framework across the Wakefield district: Our Heritage, Our Stories.

Looking forward to tonight's update on the Wakefield Heritage Framework by @industrialteg.bsky.social

@wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social @wakefieldcivicsoc.bsky.social @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @handhyorkshire.bsky.social

A significant study that includes new information on the "battle" of Wakefield. A good area for discussion and debate. @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social @richardiiisociety.bsky.social

Next Wednesday 12 November: WHS meeting: ‘Wakefield Heritage Framework – progress report’ by Tegwen Roberts, WMDC Heritage Development Manager. West Yorkshire History Centre, Kirkgate Wakefield, WF1 1JG. starting at 7pm. Visitors are welcome for a fee of £2. www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk

in 1849 when the authorities tried to ban the bonfire that year. The resulting serious and violent riots and were widely reported throughout the country. The report is from the 'Leeds Intelligencer' You will need to enlarge the image 2/2 @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social

Protests and demonstrations are not a new phenomenon and were a common part of Victorian and earlier life. Bonfire night, because of its origins was often a focal point for protest with Guy Fawkes seen as a rebel with right on his side. Such was the case in Wakefield 1/2

A tablet paying tribute to the Kilby family at St. John the Baptist church, St. John's, Wakefield. Thomas Kilby, son of John Kilby of York was the vicar at this church for 43 years & produced a number of topographical paintings of scenes around Wakefield during the early to mid 19th century.

An excellent but sobering talk this morning at Wakefield and district family history society by Andy Tilby-Baxter about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

AgeUK oral history project Earlier this year we were asked to support an oral history project which AgeUK were conducting. They are holding a meeting on Thursday 6th November in Normanton. Find out more:

Who could resist a Whit Sunday in 19th century Wakefield? 🤺

Rather bewildered by this: Baroness Fiona Twycross has taken over the brief for museums and cultural property, as well as heritage, libraries and the National Archives, becoming Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling. Is Gambling now a 'cultural property'?

Wakefield Museum has increased in size by 10%... our new A World of Good gallery is now open! 🌍 In the 1800s Charles Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home near Wakefield. Artist Andy Singleton has brought it back to life with beautiful paper sculptures. Info: bit.ly/NewAWOG

Can anyone help @icysedgwick.bsky.social ?

Members of Wakefield Historical Society are conducting research on the artworks held by Wakefield MDC. Some interesting stories are emerging, and we met to share our research on 20 October. Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/meeting-of-t...

Keep your eyes open on the streets of #Wakefield for the Padfoot 🐾 #Folklore #LocalHistory

Much like the annual #BannersHeldHigh festival here in Wakefield. Also remembering the talk we had from the lovely people at @ncmme.bsky.social who hold a collection of banners #Wakefield #WorkingClassHistory

🏰 Come along to view our amazing model of Sandal Castle and listen to this fascinating talk. You will learn about the use and layout of the Castle from the ruins left behind! - 20 October - starts 5:45pm - Wakefield Library Booking essential, visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk/wakefield-li...

Workers at Burton Menswear, Leeds. The Hudson Road factory became the world's biggest clothing factory, employing 10,000 and producing more than 30,000 suits a week (West Yorkshire Archive).

Anthony Hewitson, proprietor of the Wakefield and West Riding Herald. Talk on 8 October. Dr Andrew Hobbs lecture on Anthony Hewitson (1836-1912) was an eye-opener to the life of a Wakefield newspaper proprietor. Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/p...

A new booklet 'Discovering Wakefield's Early Railways' by Anthony Dawson FSAScot has been published by Wakefield Historical Publications. Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/publications...

Enjoyed 'Celebrating Wakefield's Railway Heritage and Blue Plaque Unveiling' on Thursday 2 October at WX Wakefield, part of Railway200. Find out more: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/celebrating-...

Looks like a useful tool for historical research

Wakefield Historical Society UK (a local historical society in the UK, focused on Wakefield (a city in West Yorkshire, England); promotes local history / heritage in the area) leaves X (554 followers) Bluesky: @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social