20th Century

Lillington, Board Offices, later The Old Library

This building stands on the corner of Pound Lane and Cubbington Road. It was designed by John Cundall in 1882 as the Local Board of Health Offices for Lillington, before Lillington was incorporated into the Borough of Royal Leamington Spa. An early postcard describes it as Corporation House. The Local Board represented an early form … Read more

Camouflage Directorate Plaque

An article about the Camouflage Directorate which operated in Leamington in the Second Word War can be viewed HERE. This article shows the unveiling a commemorative plaque on the Regent Hotel on 24th September 2025 by the Mayor, Councillor Ruggy Singh. The hotel was the headquarters of the Directorate. The hotel was requisitioned by the … Read more

Our Lady’s Catholic Church

Welcome from Rose Herbert. This webpage is a summary and expansion of one of my 2019 MA History of Art essays from the University of York about the stained glass in Our Lady’s Roman Catholic Church, Valley Road, Lllington. After considering options for publication, I want to share my essay in small sections with relevant … Read more

AP, Automotive Products or Lockheed Brakes

Automotive Products was the major employer in Leamington for around 40 years in the 20th century. It was generally referred to locally as AP or Lockheed although the company used many other brand names. Origins The Automotive Products company was established in London in 1920 with the initial purpose of importing components from the USA … Read more

Alan George Griffin, 1941-2025

Sadly, we have to announce that Alan Griffin, long-term member and founder of the Leamington History Group, has died. Margaret Rushton has kindly written this summary of his life. Alan grew up in Southam, one of three sons of a baker who lived at Southam Windmill. He passed the 11+ and attended Leamington College until … Read more

Samuel Shepheard Stanley of Sydenham Farm, 1848 – 1921

Samuel Shepheard Stanley was one of four sons and four daughters of John and Sarah Stanley of Sydenham Farm. He was born in 1848 and with his siblings was taught at home by a governess.  His older brother Joseph later became the farm manager, and eventually took over from their father. Another brother ran The … Read more

Comber House

“Binsbrook and the quaint little Alpine Bridge by which it was crossed in Portland Place have both passed away, but the sylvan loveliness of this silver streak may be easily imagined by the observer who will glance at its deep delved bed still extant at the east end of old Comber House, Milverton, facing the … Read more

Balraj Singh Dhesi M.B.E

It was a fine day in Royal Leamington Spa as Balraj Singh Dhesi and his wife, Palweet, rose from bed and made special preparations for the day. It was 24th March 1988 and this was the day that they would meet Queen Elizabeth II as representatives of the residents of the town. We explore how … Read more

Lillington Old School, Cubbington Road

In early Victorian England very few children from ordinary families attended school. For lots of parents, with many mouths to feed, it was not a priority. In village communities such as Lillington, where the majority of the men were employed as agricultural labourers, many parents themselves could not read or write. A Gloucester philanthropist, Robert … Read more

Lansdowne Circus

Lansdowne Circus has access from Upper Holly Walk, Willes Road and Thomas Street but still retains the atmosphere of a quiet, sedate cul-de-sac to this day. This Circus was built between 1836 and 1840; the first mention of the street in the Leamington Courier was in 1835 and two newly-built houses were for sale in … Read more

Lillington Library

This is a branch library designed by Henry Fedeski, F.R.I.B.A., Dip.T.P.,A.M.T.P.I of the Fedeski and Rayner Architectural practice, in the style of the Festival of Britain. It was built in 1959-60 by George Wimpey and Co. There was a proposal to build in 1953 as the adjacent local residential estate was expanding; however, Government loan … Read more