'Archaeological Evidence of the Battle of Towton' presentation at the Wakefield Exchange on 21 Mar 2026 Tim Sutherland presents some of his archaeological work from over the last 30 years 1996 - 2026 The camera is hand-held, but the sound is clear and audible. www.youtube.com/watch?v=daS5...

A new post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog A lot was on Matthew Tomlinson's mind on 29th March 1812, worries about lambing and his farm, attacks on farm machinery by the Luddites and the sudden death of a Huddersfield butcher: matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/03/28/f...

Yorkshire Heritage Summit at Barnsley, 25 March Our Society was pleased to exhibit at the Yorkshire Heritage Summit on Wed. 25 March. It was a good opportunity to raise awareness of our Society and to learn of other Yorkshire organisations. www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/about-us/blo

🧵The print Christ Church and Coal Staith, Leeds (1829) captures the city at full industrial pace. At its centre is one of John Blenkinsop’s rack-and-pinion locomotives pioneered by Salamanca (1812), the first of its kind hauling coal toward the River Aire. This was the Middleton

Did Matthew Tomlinson care about cruelty to animals? Did he scorn foolishness in other men? Find out more in the new post from Matthew Tomlinson's journals: The Cruelty and Foolishness of Men, March 1838 MATTHEWTOMLINSONJOURNALS.WORDPRESS.COM The Cruelty and Foolishness of Men, March 1838

Tom Licence was able to research this topic because the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was available for study rather than being sold to a private, anonymous individual. IYKYK. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...

This whole🧵 and the one embedded underneath are such a lovely example of what local history societies stand for. What one person can do with a curious mind and a stubborn and methodical nature to investigate their local surroundings

A new post has been added to the Matthew Tomlinson Journal blog: 'The Dangers of Drink, March 1807' matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/03/14/t...

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...

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