Towcester and Disctrict Local History Society monthly meetings

The meetings listed below will, until further notice, be hybrid meetings, both live and by Zoom. You can attend either in person face-to-face at the Sawpits Centre, Towcester or remotely via Zoom.

Meetings start at 7.15pm for 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month.

Option 1. Join the face-to-face meeting
This will be at the Sawpits Centre, Towcester, which is where the Towcester Library used to be before it moved to its present position at The Forum. The Sawpits Centre is off Richmond Road on a lane called "Towbury Lane". There is some parking, but please leave that for people with limited mobility. There is more parking at the Richmond Road Car Park a short distance away.

Option 2. Join by Zoom
Members are informed how to join each meeting.

Visitors are welcome to join a meeting, for £3.00 per meeting. Annual membership is £10.00.

Wednesday 14 September 2022
Towcester from the air
Tony Howard
For the past 6 years or so Committee member Tony Howard has been taking aerial photographs of Towcester, including following the development of the southern extension to the town and other changes. These have provided him with an interesting view of the way the town has grown over the past hundred years or so. Tony will examine these changes by way of words and photographs.

Wednesday 12 October 2022
Outlaws and Sheriffs and Wild West Northamptonshire
Jackie Hibbert
Take a pictorial tour of West Northamptonshire discovering some of the crimes that happened in some of the villages and towns, including an interesting case in Towcester and find out about some of the strange medieval laws and punishments.

Wednesday 9 November 2022
Richard III – A misjudged villain
Steve Dimmer
Thanks partly to Shakespeare, Richard III is usually remembered as one of the most vile Kings ever to rule England. He is usually regarded as a treacherous usurper who committed many evil crimes, including the murder of the Princes in the Tower. But, is this image correct or was it constructed afterwards in order to justify the presence of Henry VII on the throne? This talk examines these claims. It is as intriguing and fascinating as any crime novel with a conclusion that may surprise you.

Wednesday 13 December 2022
The history of stained glass
by Mike Caddy of Vitreus Art
Vitreus Art at the Bell Plantation is Jenny Timms & Mike Caddy. They design, make and teach glass, including traditional leaded stained glass windows and stained and fused glass art.
The talk will be followed by Christmas refreshments.

Wednesday 11 January 2023
An American’s View of Northamptonshire
Gary Shaeffer
Gary is a member of the elite Blue Badge Tourist Guides and is well known in the County as a gifted and entertaining presenter.The talk takes the form of a guided tour of Northamptonshire, using slides, and showing many of the beautiful and historic places in the County. Spanning castles, palaces, and village churches.

Wednesday 8 February 2023
The Eleanor Crosses
Jennifer Rose
Twelve "Eleanor Crosses" were erected by a disconsolate Edward I when his wife Queen Eleanor of Castile died in 1290 at Harby, near Lincoln, in November 1290. Her body was then carried in a sombre procession to Westminster Abbey. At each place where the procession stopped for the night, Edward had built a memorial cross in her honour. The talk will give information about Eleanor, how the crosses came about and some specific details about the Hardingstone Cross.