What is today known as The Loft Theatre Company began as the Warwick and Leamington Dramatic Club which was founded in 1922. The first performance was The Silver Box which was staged at the Spencer Street schoolroom in 1923. It became the only theatre in town when the Theatre Royal (see article) was converted to a cinema … Read more
It was unthinkable at one time to buy shoes from anywhere other than shops just selling shoes. Every need was catered for from a selection of styles, sizes and colours for ladies, gentlemen and children. Service was a priority and assistants frequently climbed ladders to find the customer’s choice. From Smiths in Clemens Street, along … Read more
In the late 1950s, I used to visit the railway station (Leamington General) just for something to do. There were always other lads there, taking engine numbers and noting them in a book. (Ian Allan’s “ABC” which listed all the engine numbers) So, I went to WH Smith, purchased a combined volume, and joined all … Read more
In 1896 Leamington Borough Council purchased two parcels of land in the town: the former Parr & Wisden cricket ground which eventually became Victoria Park, and Ladder Bridge Field which became Eagle Recreation Ground. An advertisement placed in the Leamington Courier by the Estate Agent, Anthony Locke, announced the sale of the field, belonging to … Read more
To mark the many successes of the Leamington Boys Club (LBC) Boxing Section (ran by Inspector Gibbs of Leamington Police for many years), a supper by Alderman Moore, in April 1944 was held with Randolph Turpin as the most prominent guest. The Mayor, Alderman Ashton, Cllr Mrs Moore, Mr E R Thomas (Chairman of the … Read more
Many sports have taken place in the town over the years from Bowls, both Local, National and International, to Cricket, to Real Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Football and Darts. Forgive me anyone who thinks their sport should have had a mention! I was intrigued when I found a number of images in the Archives showing Archery … Read more
My grandmother, Mary Ann Walton, lived at No 1 Clinton Street, Leamington Spa. She is pictured standing by the lamppost in the attached photograph. The cobbled terrace had a small fore-garden to each house and every house had a well under the front room (possibly a rainwater/roof collection well). Number 1 was the end house … Read more
As the village of Leamington Priors rapidly developed into a fashionable spa, the increasing number of visitors and residents required distractions other than simply taking the waters. Bath Street was at the hub of the initial development since most of the springs and the bath houses built around them were in that vicinity. By 1813 … Read more
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
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
In post-war Britain there was a push to build more Council Housing. Leamington Borough Council targeted an area of land outside the Leamington Parish that was part of Whitnash in the area of Warwick Rural District Council but the Council was not happy about this and refused to negotiate with Leamington. In January 1950 Leamington … Read more
Warneford Hospital was one of the best-loved landmarks in the parish of St Mary’s, Leamington Spa, and was so very familiar to many of us. Perhaps we, or our children, were born in Cay Block, or maybe we had our tonsils out in the Children’s Ward. It is invariably locally called “The Warneford”. The origins of … Read more
Contact the Secretary, Margaret Rushton: secretary@leamingtonhistory.co.uk
November 6, 2026
October 31, 2026
October 31, 2026