Months with Events
About Events

Events are open to all and prior booking is not necessary except where indicated.

Details of all events are obtainable from SLHA.


Speakers Offered

Names and contact details of speakers are available from the SLHA Office.

Speakers Wanted
Additions to our database of speakers are welcomed - please let us have details of topics, contact information and fees.

 

Events Calendar

January

January 2025
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Town Planning in Lincoln, 1920-39: a tool for social engineering
Presented by Rob Wheeler
 
Town planning between the wars was based on the idea that there should be a formally agreed map, defining precisely what uses were permitted and what uses forbidden. That was the idea; but in practice agreeing a map proved exceedingly difficult.

Underlying it all was the idea of the Garden Suburb. This was treated - in Lincoln, at least - as the only acceptable form of housing. The transformation of Lincoln's urban population into suburban respectability was assisted at all stages by town planning, even if that goal had never been formally articulated.

Admission £4.00. SLHA Members £3.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/town-planning-in-lincoln-1920-39-tickets-1042206817647

 
Wednesday 08 January, 2025
7.30pm
St Hugh's Hall, Monks Rd, Lincoln
Medieval Brick Buildings
By Zoom
 
Presented by Dr James Wright FSA, Triskele Heritage
 

During the late mediaeval period England witnessed the innovative introduction of brick as a high-status building material. Used almost exclusively by elite patrons, much inspiration was gathered from brick buildings in mainland Europe. These architectural ideas were driven by widespread networks connected to itinerant brickmakers, the Teutonic Order and, especially, the Hanseatic League. On encountering these radical new ideas in building from the German, Dutch and Baltic states, English architecture was never quite the same again …… This talk will include some examples of brick buildings in Lincolnshire.


Admission by Donation

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/medieval-brick-buildings-by-dr-james-wright-tickets-1041861414537
Monday 13 January, 2025
7.30pm
By Zoom
Sunday Special
  • Discovery of New Hall at Lincoln Castle, Chris Casswell
  • Lincolnshire Watermills, Jon Sass
  • Flora Murray Presentation
Admission £4.00. SLHA and LRS Members £3.00 – Pay on the door with cash
Sunday 19 January, 2025
2.30pm - 4.30pm
The Old School, Mill Hill, Nettleham LN2 2PE
Craft: Victorian Valentines *** CANCELLED***
*** CANCELLED***
 
A papercraft workshop inspired by the Victorian period. Discover how Valentines Day was celebrated in the 19th century. Using imagery and examples from the Victorian period as inspiration, and using a variety of resources, enjoy creating greeting cards, a decoupaged ornament and decorate your own unique decorative container for a small gift.

Led by Kathy Holland

Please note: the room where this event will take place is on the 1st floor accessible only by stairs.

Admission £8.50 SLHA & LRS members £7.50. Admission includes materials, and tea and coffee.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/craft-victorian-valentines-tickets-1076031943509

 
Wednesday 29 January, 2025
10.00am - 1.00pm
Jews' Court, 2-3 Steep Hill, Lincoln LN2 1LS
The Sieges of Crowland during the English Civil War: Myths and Realities
Evening Talk by Zoom

Presented by Dr Jon Fitzgibbons

The fenland town of Crowland and its medieval abbey saw several sieges during the

English Civil Wars of the 1640s. This talk will explain why Crowland assumed such an important role during the conflict, the ways in which the wars deepened local rivalries in South Lincolnshire, and how a rising cavalry officer by the name of Oliver Cromwell made his name during one of the sieges of the town. The talk will also explore the impact of the wars on Crowland, not least through the rich myths and folklore that persist into the present day. 

Admission by Donation

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sieges-of-crowland-during-the-english-civil-war-myths-realities-tickets-1052733753997
Wednesday 29 January, 2025
7.30pm
Digging Lincoln *** SOLD OUT ***
Presented by Dr Michael J Jones

*** SOLD OUT ***
 
Mick Jones will discuss why he decided to write this memoir, how he went about it and which sources he relied on. Digging Lincoln is his own personal account of how a record of the City of Lincoln's rich archaeology was recovered from the time of the early antiquaries through to the commercially funded professional teams of today. Drawing on his new publication, Digging Lincoln the author will recount his background and initiation into archaeology and describe how the archaeological team for the city of Lincoln operated over the next few decades. He will describe this exhilarating time, full of important archaeological discoveries, and demonstrate how appreciation of the importance of Lincoln’s archaeological story and its public presentation have grown remarkably, such that it has now become a major heritage destination.


Admission £4.00 (SLHA Members £3.00)
 
Thursday 30 January, 2025
2.00pm
Lincoln Central Library, Free School Lane, Lincoln LN1 1EZ
Download booking form: 2025DiggingLincolnBkgForm.pdf

February

February 2025
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Exploring Lincolnshire's Gilbert Country',
c.1910-1927: The Writings of Bernard Samuel Gilbert

Presented by Prof. Andrew Jackson

Bernard Samuel Gilbert was an outstanding author whose name is all but forgotten today. Gilbert was born in Billinghay in Lincolnshire in 1882 and was returned there for burial following his death in 1927. He wrote prolifically from around the age of thirty up until his death in 1945. Gilbert’s literature spans poetry, novels, plays, agriculture, political pamphlets and newspaper columns. He wrote of contemporary Lincolnshire and rural England, life and work on the land and country customs and beliefs.

The History of Lincolnshire Committee (part of the Society of Lincolnshire History and Archaeology) has recently published a book, ‘Rural England Through War and Peace: The Literary Work of Lincolnshire’s Bernard Samuel Gilbert, 1882-1927’ by Andrew J. H. Jackson, Professor of Local, Regional and Landscape History at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Copies of the book will be on sale after the talk.

Admission £4.00 (SLHA members £3.00)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-lincolnshires-gilbert-country-c1910-1927-tickets-1053232640179
Saturday 08 February, 2025
2.00pm
The Hub, Navigation Wharf, Carre St, Sleaford NG34 7TW
Louth Museum: Past, Present & Future
By Zoom
 
The story of Louth’s local independent museum, from late Victorian origins to a modern attraction with, ‘always something new to notice’, and a sneak preview of the museum’s major new offerings as we drop in on the volunteers’ busy preparations for the 2025 season. When visiting our ‘history Tardis’, you will discover many Lincolnshire gems and stories; a unique panoramic view of Victorian Louth, rocks and fossils of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Anglo-Saxon cremation urns, an abbot’s stone coffin from the Cistercian Louth Park Abbey, Thomas Wilkinson Wallis’ intricate carvings, the story of Louth’s tragic 1920 Flood and much more.

Presented by Dr Julie E Bounford

Admission by Donation https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/louth-museum-past-present-and-future-presented-by-dr-julie-e-bounford-tickets-1120188757729
Wednesday 12 February, 2025
7.30pm
By Zoom
Dunham Bridge – Then and Now
Presented by Stephen Betteridge, Chairman of the SLHA Industrial Archaeology Team

Lincolnshire is in effect a peninsula, attached to the mainland on the south but separated from it on the west by the Trent. This separation is, in part, reduced by the bridge which carries the A57 over the River Trent between the villages of Newton and Dunham on Trent. This important and historic crossing, which is a toll bridge, is owned and operated by the Dunham Bridge Company. Why was the bridge built at this location? When was it built and why? Who built it? An instant success…… or not? The modern term "Value Engineering” is often used when referring to the scrutiny of designs when seeking economies. Did this apply to Dunham Bridge?

This talk will explore the history of the bridge and include elements of its current operation including what do the words "The A57 is closed because Dunham Bridge is flooded” really mean?

Admission £4.00 (LRS and SLHA members £3.00)

Book in advance through Eventbrite or by cash on the door

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunham-bridge-then-and-now-tickets-1097641618629
Wednesday 19 February, 2025
7.30pm
St Hugh's Hall, Monks Road, Lincoln LN2 5AQ
Craft: Roman Designs

Craft activities inspired by imagery and artefacts from the Roman period including examples from Lincolnshire. Activities will include painting a mini fresco, modelling a brooch design and papercraft activities inspired by Roman designs.

Please note: the room where this event is held is on the first floor accessible only by stairs.

Admission £8.50 SLHA & LRS members £7.50. Admission includes materials, and tea and coffee.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/craft-roman-designs-led-by-kathy-holland-tickets-1120878721429?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Drawing of a Roman mosaic from Horkstow, Lincolnshire

Courtesy of the British Library. MAPS.K.Top.19.44a

Wednesday 26 February, 2025
10.00am - 1.00pm
Jews' Court, Steep Hill, Lincoln LN2 1LS

March

March 2025
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SLHA Members Store Tour at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life *** SOLD OUT ***

*** SOLD OUT ***

Sara Basquill, Collections Development Officer, will introduce the Museum collections and offer the opportunity to investigate a selection of rarely seen and intriguing objects in the Museum Store . Your visit will include the opportunity to explore the Museum independently and enjoy the variety of local history treasures on display.
Admission £9.00 to include tea and coffee. Pre-booking essential.


https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/slha-members-store-tour-at-the-museum-of-lincolnshire-life-tickets-1073651613879
Tuesday 11 March, 2025
10.30am - 12.30pm
Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LY
Sunday Special
  • Robeys of Lincoln, Adam Cartwright
  • Haw Hill, Dr Martin Huggon
  • Lincoln Timeshifts, John Bennett
Admission £4.00. SLHA and LRS Members £3.00 – Pay on the door with cash
Sunday 16 March, 2025
2.30pm - 4.00pm
The Old School, Nettleham, LN2 2PE
Lincoln's Bargate
Presented by Leigh Brocklehurst

Admission £4.00 (LRS and SLHA members £3.00)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lincoln-bargate-presented-by-leigh-brocklehurst-tickets-1120199981299
Wednesday 19 March, 2025
7.30pm
St Hugh's Hall, Monks Rd, Lincoln LN2 5AQ
Dogdyke Pumping Station:

Preserving a part of Lincolnshire’s Land Drainage History
 
Evening Talk by Zoom - Presented by Chris Page

This presentation explores the story of preserving the engines at the Dogdyke Pumping Station, south of Tattershall Bridge. The speaker will show how the unique 1856 steam engine managed to survive the scrap man and explain the efforts of the landowner, John Porter, to bring together an enthusiastic team of volunteers who brought it back to life. Also, we will look at the Ruston oil engine and how that is maintained. The presentation ends by looking at the current work taking place and the challenges that lie ahead

Admission by Donation

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dogdyke-pumping-station-preserving-a-part-of-lincolnshires-land-drainage-tickets-1110312417329 
Wednesday 26 March, 2025
7.30pm
Evening Talk by Zoom
CRAFT: Diorama and 'pop-up' Lincoln Imp card!
Discover some interesting facts about the history of dioramas and have fun using card and craft materials to create your own unique mini-diorama and/or 3D pop-up card inspired by imagery of historic Lincolnshire.

Led by Kathy Holland

Please note: the room where this event is held is on the first floor accessible only by stairs.

Admission £8.50 SLHA & LRS members £7.50. Admission includes materials, and tea and coffee.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/craft-diorama-and-creative-3d-card-making-tickets-1041865025337

 
Wednesday 26 March, 2025
10.00am - 1.00pm
Jews' Court, Steep Hill, Lincoln LN2 1LS
Music in the Luttrell Psalter

Presented by Kate Witney

The images of the Luttrell Psalter are some of the most lively and best known depictions of mediaeval rural life. In amongst them are pictures of music-making and instruments. Kate will look at these in detail and sing songs of the period. In addition, she will look at the plainchant of the final section of the Psalter, The Office of the Dead. The talk will end with a showing of Crow's Eye Production's short film The Luttrell Psalter.

Admission £4.00 SLHA and LRS members £3.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-in-the-luttrell-psalter-tickets-1120202207959 

 

Image from the Luttrell Psalter. Courtesy of the British Library. 42130.

Thursday 27 March, 2025
2.00pm
Lincoln Central Library, Free School Lane, Lincoln LN1 1EZ
Kate Witney was born in Louth and studied at Homerton College, Cambridge and The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. She has appeared as soloist in venues such as The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, The Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham and Lincoln, Southwark and Versailles Cathedrals. 

April

April 2025
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Visit to Churches at Wellingore, Welbourn and Temple Bruer *** SOLD OUT ***
*** SOLD OUT ***
 
Led by Nick and Eva Moore

This event will include guided visits to All Saints Church at Wellingore, St Chad’s Church at Welbourn and St John’s Church and the Preceptory at Temple Bruer. Further details about the event are on the website.

Admission £14.00. SLHA and LRS members £12.50.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/churches-visit-to-wellingore-welbourn-and-temple-bruer-tickets-1117788007019
Tuesday 08 April, 2025
10.30am
Meet at All Saints Church, Wellingore LN5 0HU
Download booking form: 2025WellingoreChurches.pdf
Aspects of Louth and Locality

Welcome 

Louth Navigation,
by Stephen Betteridge, Louth Navigation Trust

William Brown’s Louth Panorama
By Richard Lance Keeble, Louth Museum

Guided Visit to St James’ Church
 
The History of the Railway in Louth and new developments By members of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

Streets of Louth Details TBC
 

Tennyson and Louth by Kate Witney

 

Admission £32.00 including lunch. £25.00 for SLHA members

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aspects-of-louth-and-locality-organised-by-the-slha-tickets-1128160030019
Saturday 12 April, 2025
9.45am - 4.30pm
Louth Methodist Church, 12 Nichol Hill, Louth LN11 9NQ
Download booking form: AspectsofLouth.pdf

May

May 2025
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Explorers and Innovators
Talks will include:

Welcome by Mark Acton, Chair of the Local History Team
 
George Bass: Eighteenth century Explorer by Penny Herdman                                                                                                        
Sir Joseph Banks: Agrarian to Industrialist by Paul Scott
 
Arthur Storer - America's First Colonial Astronomer by Ruth Crook
 
Anne Hutchinson and Her Lincolnshire Friends: by Adrian Gray
 
Richard Hill - Abolitionist & Naturalist by Professor Heather Hughes
 
Lincolnshire Explorers and Innovators in Stories, Music by Tom Lane, Nigel Creasey and Terri Clarke
 
Admission £32.00 including lunch. £25.00 for SLHA members

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lincolnshire-explorers-and-innovators-tickets-1123015612929
Saturday 31 May, 2025
10.00am - 4.30pm
Walton Academy, Harlaxton Rd, Grantham NG31 7JR

June

June 2025
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Prehistoric Lincolnshire: Archaeology and Landscape

Presented by Dr Peter Chowne, MBA FSA 


Lincolnshire barely features in accounts of the prehistory of the British Isles or, if it does, only well-known sites excavated and published many years ago are mentioned. A variety of factors might explain this omission. There is, perhaps, less of a legacy of intensive antiquarian and earlier 20th-century activity, and the perception that any prehistoric remains in the fenland are inaccessible beneath metres of sediments. 

Lincolnshire has seen less development than many other parts of England, and thus the opportunity for archaeological research has been more limited. Nonetheless, in the 50 years since Jeffrey May completed his book Prehistoric Lincolnshire, several important prehistoric sites have been excavated, and extensive field surveys have been carried out.

However, no overview of Lincolnshire prehistory has been published. In my book which is nearing completion, I have reviewed the evidence from excavations and surveys, much of it unpublished, to form an overview of the landscape and environment in which prehistoric communities lived. For this presentation I have selected the most significant developments in our understanding of Lincolnshire prehistory which demonstrate that the landscape between the Humber and the Welland was not a cultural backwater and is full of research opportunities for future generations of archaeologists.

Admission £4.00 SLHA members £3.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prehistoric-lincolnshire-archaeology-and-landscape-tickets-1238150735179

Wednesday 18 June, 2025
7.30pm
St Hugh's Hall, Monks Rd, Lincoln LN2 5AQ