Recent goings-on at the society
Take a look at some of the great pictures from recent events and activities of the Leek and District Historical Society. We pride ourselves on educating and engaging the community on local history through events, lectures, and exhibits.
Pauline Smith Clowes talked to the members and guests about the Nicholson Institute
On February 12th, Pauline Smith Clowes talked to the members and guests about the Nicholson Institute. The opening, in 1884, was possibly the biggest event the town has ever seen with renowned guests, a parade through the town, lavish banquet and fireworks.
Preserving the roots of Leek and District historical society
Cath Walton (the society’s secretary) is at the centre of the mammoth task of cataloguing the society’s archive materials and storing them in acid-free sleeves and boxes to ensure they remain in good condition for the coming generations.
Preserving our community's history
Pauline Smith Clowes has worked for many hours, alongside Cath Walton, cataloguing the society’s archives. The items are stored in specially built cupboards in the William Morris Room at the Foxlowe.
Storage at Foxlowe
One of the two cupboards built especially to hold the society’s archives in the William Morris room at the Foxlowe. All the large cardboard boxes are being replaced by the slim, black, acid-free boxes which are more practical and flexible to use.
Christmas 2023
Over 20 members attended a really delicious Christmas dinner at the Foxlowe on December 11th. Gill White devised a two part quiz - the second part was general knowledge and the first, which proved very difficult for everyone, was based on ancient, local place names.
Discovery: June 8th archive event
For the first time, our archive has been opened to everyone. Almost 200 people came to the Foxlowe to view a wide variety of documents, photographs and maps of Leek and the surrounding villages covering hundreds of years of their history.
Discovery: June 8th archive event
For the first time, our archive has been opened to everyone. Almost 200 people came to the Foxlowe to view a wide variety of documents, photographs and maps of Leek and the surrounding villages covering hundreds of years of their history.
Discovery: June 8th archive event
For the first time, our archive has been opened to everyone. Almost 200 people came to the Foxlowe to view a wide variety of documents, photographs and maps of Leek and the surrounding villages covering hundreds of years of their history.
Discovery: June 8th archive event
For the first time, our archive has been opened to everyone. Almost 200 people came to the Foxlowe to view a wide variety of documents, photographs and maps of Leek and the surrounding villages covering hundreds of years of their history.
Discovery: June 8th archive event
For the first time, our archive has been opened to everyone. Almost 200 people came to the Foxlowe to view a wide variety of documents, photographs and maps of Leek and the surrounding villages covering hundreds of years of their history.
John White, chair of the society welcoming guests to the 2024 Christmas dinner
Over 25 guests attended and, as in previous years, the Foxlowe team provided an excellent meal. There was a raffle and what proved to be rather a difficult quiz.
Outside Arts stall at Butter Market August 2025
Using the Outside Arts stall, Leek Historical Society had a day in the Butter Market to promote our 2025/26 programme of talks and sell a selection of our "Chronicle" publications including the reprinted and updated William Morris's association with Leek - the subject of our October meeting.