Mick Jeffs We have heard of this project to add green planting to sections of the disused railway viaduct in the south of the town. This is part of Leamington High Line CIC. We are pleased to provide a link to the project which may be of interest – Leamington High Line CIC
We are pleased to announce that our new video is now available online This is the fourth in a series of videos created by Leamington History Group and local filmmaker Mark Ellis chronicling the history of the town. It shows how Leamington recovered after 1945 to become a thriving industrial and tourist town. We also hear the … Read more
A Pigman, Policeman and Publican, the story of Gilbert Hopkins Forest The author, Martin Harrison, is an Ordecomedologist (collector and researcher of Orders, Decorations and Medals). As most British medals are named to the recipient it makes specific research possible, often with interesting results. One such story is that of Gilbert Hopkins Forest whose 1914-18 British War … Read more
Delivering Newspapers for W H Smith My friend Chris advised me that he was leaving WHS and asked if I wanted a job. I certainly did! The hours were 7-8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and the Education Committee issued a card stating when I was allowed work and for how long. Chris was with me … Read more
Archive Antics No 2 (An article from our Newsletter in June 2023 by our Archivist) It’s like a reoccurring nightmare. Deadline day for the Newsletter has arrived, but fortunately I have something for you. Not entirely about Royal Leamington Spa but there are connections. I was aimlessly wandering through the Archive. Sorry, that is … Read more
“BLOODY LEAMINGTON SPA WALKING TOUR” in partnership with the wonderful @Adam’s Crime Through Time. Here are details of this walk led by Adam Wood – Dates: Sunday 11 June @ 7.30 p.m. Friday 16 June @ 7.30 p.m. and Sunday 18 June 2023 @ 7.30 p.m. (an ideal Father’s Day Present). Hear of the wife … Read more
I was wondering, lonely as a cloud, through the Archive the other day and was thinking about the Blue Plaque that was put up in September 2023 to William Munger Heynes. William Munger Heynes was a man who was instrumental in the design, performance and production of so much of Jaguar’s successful days after WW2. … Read more
Adrian Shooter CBE 1948-2022 – A life of entrepreneurial public service: Join former Chiltern Railways Director Ian Baxter (now Strategy Director, SLC Rail and President of Friends of Leamington Station) who pays tribute to Adrian’s life, vision and achievements. 13 April 2023 7.30 p.m. at the Pump Rooms. Organised by the Leamington Society and Friends … Read more
An article written by Virginia Ironside, daughter of the two recipients of a Blue Plaque. I am delighted that Leamington had chosen to commemorate my parents with a Blue Plaque, because I lived in Lansdowne Circus until I was 2 1/2 and it was here that my parents were happiest. (Their marriage didn’t last long … Read more
On 24th March 2023 the Sunday Times chose Royahttps://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/people/leamington-named-best-placed-to-live-in-midlands-by-the-sunday-times-4077609?itm_source=parsely-apil Leamington Spa as the Best Place to Live in the Midlands. The citation recognises the history of the town from Regency times onwards and praises the way that many buildings, gardens, parks and tree-lined streets from the past have been retained and cared for. The award … Read more
Our new Free Town Trail is based on a Commonwealth Theme to echo the Games this summer. It will be a free guided walk around Central Leamington to learn more about the town’s past connections with the Commonwealth. The walk will visit around ten locations including the Royal Pump Room, the Town Hall, Imperial House … Read more
It is very important to start this article by saying that we understand that many people these days find the idea of taxidermy, the stuffing of animals, birds and fish, totally abhorrent. However, we also recognise that in earlier times the possession and collection of these specimens was very popular and allowed people to ‘enjoy’ … 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...