Mick Jeffs

Bath Assembly Hall

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. Bath Assembly Hall is a large three-storied red brick and stone building which clearly displays its name in a curved … Read more

Barracks, Clapham Terrace

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. Nos 41 – 47 and 51 – 53 Clapham Terrace, Leamington Spa [The Barracks, Outline drawing of Barracks: Wm Kendall, County … Read more

Abbotts’ Baths

Abbotts’ Baths (or Well) were a key factor in the step-change in the fortunes and growth of Leamington Priors. The man they were named for was William Abbotts who ran The Dog Inn (sometimes the Black Dog) on the south side of High Street from 1776 to 1793. This inn was to the east of … Read more

Admiral Sir George Cockburn

The Rear-Admiral who came to town. Contribution by David G.P. Morse Vice Chair and Archivist Leamington History Group Being involved with the Group’s website means that you get asked interesting questions and in some cases very interesting ones. One question that caused me to rush to the National Newspaper Archives was regarding one Rear-Admiral Sir … Read more

Art Box, Clarendon Avenue

The Art Box in Clarendon Avenue, near the ‘top’ of the Parade, is an historic Model K6 telephone kiosk which has been repurposed by the Friends of Christchurch Gardens to display images. We are grateful that the Friends have invited us to mount a show. Our members Allan Jennings and Mick Jeffs have prepared a … Read more

University Town

On 6th November we were pleased to launch our new video, ‘Leamington Spa, University Town’. It tells of the impact of the University of Warwick and its students and staff on the town over sixty years. It addresses the positive and negative consequences of the influx of staff and students, their residences and their behaviour … Read more

Anyone for Tennis?

Now Royal Leamington Spa is well known for where Tennis was started and developed on the lawns of the Manor House Hotel, but how about this for a bit of history that few people appreciate took place. If you were to enter the Jephson Gardens through the main side gates on Newbold Terrace, and turn … Read more

Camouflage Directorate in Leamington Spa, 1939 to 1945

At the beginning of the Second World War the government had a great deal to think about. One important decision to be made was about the need to prevent damage and destruction by the enemy of vital factories producing materials for defending the country and waging war and other civilian assets such as power stations. … Read more

Jephson Gardens, 1991

This article is based upon an interview with Mr Harold Wragg, Nursery Manager, by Nicola Brooks in 1991. Nicola Brooks interviewed Harold Wragg, nursery manager, in 1991 as part of her studies for a Teaching Diploma in Museum and Gallery Education at Warwick University. This article reviews the issues raised during the conversation. Harold said … Read more