Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society

Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society rnelhs.org.uk

We aim to promote the conservation of Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote's heritage and to bring the history of this area to life through monthly meetings and talks from local experts, tours and outings and the work of our own research group.

Next time you’re passing the Gravel Pits Open Space at the corner of Rickmansworth Road and Copsewood Way, take a second...
10/05/2026

Next time you’re passing the Gravel Pits Open Space at the corner of Rickmansworth Road and Copsewood Way, take a second to look at the old stone horse trough.

Long before cars took over, this road was just a 40-foot cart track carved out of Ruislip Common in 1814. This trough was a lifeline for horses travelling between Pinner and Rickmansworth, but it also tells a touching personal story.

The worn inscription is a tribute to Victor Albert Louis Morier, the only son of Robert and Alice Morier. A young officer and explorer who had travelled from the "uttermost ends of the earth," Victor died at sea while on a mission to Africa. His mother erected this trough so that even in her grief, others might find refreshment.

A little reminder of how much our transport—and our landscape—has changed!

Check out our 1972 journal for the full story > https://rnelhs.chessck.co.uk/Journals/Articlesbyyearreference

We are very grateful to Adrian Waddingham, Author and Historian, for his fascinating talk at this week's lecture on Nich...
24/04/2026

We are very grateful to Adrian Waddingham, Author and Historian, for his fascinating talk at this week's lecture on Nicholas Breakspear, England's only pope. Adrian walked us through the incredible journey of a poor Hertfordshire boy (family from Harefield) which started in St Albans and ended in Rome, with some insight into why Pope Adrian IV is more fondly remembered by Norwegians then fellow countrymen.

Further information on Adrian's research on Adrian IV can be found in the Times Literary Supplement, and his book can be purchased on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakspear-English-R-J-Waddingham/dp/0750999543

This was the last lecture of our spring series. Our summer outings are sold out, but please take advantage of our self-guided walks on our website here: https://rnelhs.chessck.co.uk/Walksoutings

Our lecture programme resumes on 15 September, with Brian Greenan, local historian, toastmaster and speaker sharing new insight on The Founders of Northwood!

On 4th December 1154 Nicholas Breakspear was elected as Pope Adrian IV, the only Englishman to have served on the papal ...
13/04/2026

On 4th December 1154 Nicholas Breakspear was elected as Pope Adrian IV, the only Englishman to have served on the papal throne.

He was born around 1100 in Bedmond, in the parish of Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire. He came from humble beginnings; his father Robert was an educated man but poor, making the decision to enter the monastery, probably after the death of his wife. This left Nicholas in a perilous position; having to fend for himself and lacking in education, he was subsequently rejected from joining the monastery. His destiny would take him elsewhere,
travelling to France where he would successfully pursue his vocation.

Join speaker Adrian Waddingham, author and historian, to learn more about the fascinating history of Nicholas Breakspear.

8pm on Tuesday 21st April at St Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip.
Visitors are welcome, £3pp.

Thank you so much to Melanie Winterbotham, our very own Research Group Leader and Journal Editor, for an absorbing talk ...
21/03/2026

Thank you so much to Melanie Winterbotham, our very own Research Group Leader and Journal Editor, for an absorbing talk about connections between Ruislip and the Boer War, including the context around the conflict. Very interesting to hear the personal stories of local men who served in the British Forces as well as local artists, including Joseph Finnemore, who recorded dramatic illustrations of events.

Please mark your calendars for our final lecture of the season on the 21st of April, when Adrian Waddinghamon, Author and Historian will be enlightening us on Breakspear: The English Pope. 🍺

Ps. To check out more of Melanie's work, keep an eye out for her upcoming article on an ancestor in Rag Fair in the April issue of Family Tree Magazine!

What role did Ruislip play during the Boer War? How were the people affected? Join us next Tuesday for an exciting talk ...
13/03/2026

What role did Ruislip play during the Boer War? How were the people affected?

Join us next Tuesday for an exciting talk from our very own Melanie Winterbotham, RNELHS Research Group co-ordinator and Journal Editor, who will lead us through the findings of her research on Ruislip during the Boer War. Come along to hear this new research and find out more about this exciting topic!

Be there at 8pm on Tuesday 17th March at St Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip to learn all about Ruislip during the Boer War.

Visitors are welcome, £3pp.

Thank you to Claudia Merck, Guide at Grim's D**e House and Gardens, for a very interesting stroll through the history an...
18/02/2026

Thank you to Claudia Merck, Guide at Grim's D**e House and Gardens, for a very interesting stroll through the history and occupants of this classic Grade II listed house. It was a fascinating journey, from its Gothic Revival beginnings to the menagerie of exotic pets and dramatic formal gardens - including serving as the home of W. S. Gilbert, of the legendary opera partnership Gilbert and Sullivan, for the last two decades of his life.

Please mark your diary for our 17 March lecture, when Melanie Winterbotham,
RNELHS Research Group Leader and Journal Editor will take us through her latest research on Ruislip and its connections to the Boer War.

Join us for our next meeting with speaker Claudia Mernick, a guide at Grim’s D**e House and Gardens. Grim's D**e (someti...
11/02/2026

Join us for our next meeting with speaker Claudia Mernick, a guide at Grim’s D**e House and Gardens. Grim's D**e (sometimes called Graeme's D**e until late 1891) is a house and estate in Harrow Weald, in northwest London, England. The house was built from 1870 to 1872 by Richard Norman Shaw for painter Frederick Goodall and named after the nearby prehistoric earthwork known as Grim's Ditch. It was converted into a hotel, Grim's D**e Hotel, in 1970.

Come along at 8pm on Tuesday 17th February at St Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip to learn all about Grim's D**e House.

Visitors are welcome, £3pp.

Thank you Hillingdon Heritage for showing us around the new archive in the Civic Center in Uxbridge. Recommend as a grea...
10/02/2026

Thank you Hillingdon Heritage for showing us around the new archive in the Civic Center in Uxbridge. Recommend as a great resource for those of us researching local history. Loved this display with the paeleolithic axe head discovered in the borough. 🥰

Thank you so much Stephen Fielding, Heritage Programme Manager, from Habitats & Heritage for a fascinating talk on Sir J...
24/01/2026

Thank you so much Stephen Fielding, Heritage Programme Manager, from Habitats & Heritage for a fascinating talk on Sir Joseph Bazalgette. The talk focused on how he skillfully engineered two critical requirements for London: clean drinking water and sewage. We had a great evening learning all about this fascinating topic and much appreciate Stephen's expertise.

Mark your calendars for our next lecture on 17th February when Claudia Merck, Guide at Grim's D**e House and Gardens will enlighten us on Grim's D**e: the story of a house and its inhabitants. We'll see you there!

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St Martin's Church Hall
Ruislip
HA48DG

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