Meetings of the society 2026/2027
Usually, our meetings take place on the second Monday of the month in the
Bromfield Room of the Foxlowe, starting at 7.30pm (on the ground floor,
with wheelchair access).
Next meeting:
Monday 14 September 2026:
Caverswall Castle
by Sue Rogers
Stories about this grade 1 listed, 13th century castle built on Anglo-Saxon foundations - one of the few remaining English castles with a moat.
7.30pm at Foxlowe in the Bromfield Room.
Doors open at 7pm. All Welcome.
Non-members £5 (cash or card)
Monday, September 14th 2026
CAVERSWALL CASTLE: Sue Rogers
Stories about this grade 1 listed, 13th century castle built on Anglo-Saxon foundations - one of the few remaining English castles with a moat.
Monday, October 12th 2026
RUDYARD LAKE across the years: Ray Perry
Ray will take us through the origins of Rudyard Reservoir to the present day with rare archive film and photographs.
Monday, November 9th 2026
LET’S DANCE; where we danced away the night: Mervyn Edwards
From maypoles to nightclubs, town halls to ballrooms, Mervyn will remind us of exciting and romantic ‘nights out’.
Monday December 14th 2026
CHRISTMAS DINNER at Foxlowe
Monday January 18th 2027
HOMES FOR HEROES: social housing in Leek after WW1: Jill Norman
Jill will tell the fascinating story of the development of council housing in the 1920s, including at Haregate.
Monday, February 8th 2027
FOLK TALES & LEGENDS OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS: Byron Machin
Byron Machin takes you on a journey through the hills and valleys of the Moorlands, to track the hidden legends that scatter the ancient land.
Monday, March 8th 2027
RAGS TO RICHES: the story of Wardle & Davenport: Neil Collingwood
Neil will tell us about these two families who were central to the growth of the textile industry in Leek, including their time in the beloved ‘Big Mill’.
Monday, April 12th 2027
DISCOVERY EVENING and AGM: a look at selected items from our archive and we welcome your own historical items for an evening of shared discoveries and memories. The AGM will also take place this evening.
Monday, May 10th 2027
FOXLOWE: a building through time: Chris Thompson
From family home to arts centre, the Foxlowe has always been at the heart of Leek. Chris will tell its story, including its role as a military hospital and textile Union headquarters/Trades and Labour club.
Monday, June 14th 2027
BLACKSHAW MOOR: Barbara Grzegorzek, chair of the Polish Connection
A guided walk and history talk about the Blackshaw Moor Polish camp.