Mick Jeffs Nelly (later known as Eleanor Velasco) Thornton was born in Stockwell, London, on 15th April 1880 to Frederick and Sarah Ann Thornton, who was also known as ‘Nellie’. They had a son, Frederick William, four years later. By September 1887 when their daughter Rose was born, the family were living in Leamington. Frederick Thornton, father … Read more
This is Mark’s own brief personal and professional story about how he became interested in the history of Leamington Spa and producing films about the town’s full, varied and fascinating past and present. I first moved to Leamington from Ealing in early 2000, with my wife Kathryn and our two-week-old son Patrick. Having decided that … Read more
Acknowledgements to Contributors Writers of Articles Stella BolithoNigel BriggsPeter CoullsBarry FranklinMichael JeffsAllan JenningsMichael PearsonDr Sylvia PinchesMargaret RushtonSidney SysonRichard TaulbutDr John Wilmot Substantial Contributors to Articles. Kay Bugg; Alan Griffin; Dr Christine Hodgetts; Dearne Jackson. Other Supporters. Including additional advice, information and images from Mary Aldred, Derek Billings; Dean Bryson; Peter Chater; Jo Clark; Lily Crowther … Read more
Leamington History Group published a new local history book on 21st May 2026. This tells the fascinating story of how the arts developed in Royal Leamington Spa. We celebrate creative activity in the town over 200 years, from the heyday of the Spa to the present day. The price is £20, or £17.50 to members … Read more
Many Leamington people, and people from further afield, look back with fond memories of the floral clock that was in the Jephson Gardens from 1951 until, as far as I know, the mid 1990s. Below is the Leamington Spa Courier report of the handover and a number of images of the clock itself.The handing over … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. Most references to a Workhouse or Poor-house in Leamington relate to premises in Court Street. However, before trying to establish … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. In post-war Britain there was a push to build more Council Housing. Leamington Borough Council targeted an area of land … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. According to company records, No 42 Warwick Street was designed and built by local architect William Thomas as both the office and … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. Warneford Hospital was one of the best-loved landmarks in the parish of St Mary’s, Leamington Spa, and was so very familiar … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. The demise of public houses in the local area has prompted a phase of demolition with replacement by housing; not … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. In 1810 a group of people in the town realised that, despite the growing population, there was not a suitable … Read more
This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print. By 1881 the population of the town, now named Royal Leamington Spa, had risen to about 23,000. It was four … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
June 9, 2026
Nelly (later known as Eleanor Velasco) Thornton was born in Stockwell, London, on 15th April 1880 to Frederick and Sarah Ann Thornton, who was also known as ‘Nellie’. They had...
May 26, 2026
This is Mark’s own brief personal and professional story about how he became interested in the history of Leamington Spa and producing films about the town’s full, varied and fascinating...
May 6, 2026
Acknowledgements to Contributors Writers of Articles Stella BolithoNigel BriggsPeter CoullsBarry FranklinMichael JeffsAllan JenningsMichael PearsonDr Sylvia PinchesMargaret RushtonSidney SysonRichard TaulbutDr John Wilmot Substantial Contributors to Articles. Kay Bugg; Alan Griffin; Dr...