Wakefield Historical Society

11/10/2026

New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journal blog:

The Death of Matthew Bryan of Netherton Hall, a large Comet and Tinkering with the Threshing Machine, 1811.

Three different subjects for Tomlinson to write about! The 'Great Comet' could be seen for 260 days.

09/10/2026

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14 October 2026: 'The Later Listers of Shibden Hall – 1854-1933'', talk by David Glover (President of Halifax Antiquarian Society)

West Yorkshire History Centre Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1JG, 7pm.
All welcome. Non-members £2

We all know of the famous Anne Lister, but there was far more about the Lister family of Halifax than the TV series portrayed. They had various medical links. West Indian slavery features, along with far-flung international travel. Finally, we hear about the final John Lister, founding president of The Halifax Antiquarian Society, and his financial issues during the 1920s, resulting in the selling off of all his farms in 1925.

Promoting knowledge of the area's past

04/10/2026

New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog:

Pride, Extravagance and Indolence lead to Ruin, 1833

Tomlinson considers the behaviour of his neighbour who was the butler at Lupset Hall, and his son who treats his horse cruelly.

27/09/2026

New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog:

Twenty-seven years apart, in 1811 Tomlinson considers the possible death of his wife, and himself, and in 1838 looks back on the death of his wife thirty-four years before.

1811 29th………. Have frequently felt myself alarm’d this week from what my sober judgment wou’d term a frevilous cause: – My Wife told me early in the week that she had caught…

23/09/2026

Wakefield Historical Society research group out and about today looking at the Market Place area for their present project. It was followed by a discussion to update what we have found out so far. Subjects for research are the medieval market place, the Grand Clothing Hall, the Market Cross, serious crime in the Market Place, Queen Victoria's statue, Butchers' Shambles and the south side of Bread Street.

22/09/2026

📜 Join Castleford Civic Society for a morning of history and reminiscing.

They will talk about Castleford Borough Arms, The Castleford Seal, Charter Day and the 1937 Castleford Anthem.

📅 13 October
⏰ 10:30am
📍 Castleford Library

Booking essential, visit: https://www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-libraries/time-well-spent-castleford-talks/e-qrmqlx



Castleford Museum Wakefield Council Castleford Civic Society Castleford Historical Society Wakefield Historical Society

20/09/2026

New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog:

Problems at the Market, in the pub, and with a Dog Owner, 1808

Tomlinson was not above lying at the market or dealing with a drunk, and was angry when a dog owner would not recompense him when his dog mauled one of his sheep.

Wakefield cattle market, drawing by Henry Clarke, courtesy Wakefield Local Studies Library 1808 September 18th  Ev’ry returning week varies my date, and I am so much the nearer the time,…

17/09/2026

An excellent talk by Peter Brears for Wakefield Civic Society this evening about Bucklers' Yorkshire Buildings and the background to the publication of his and Michael Rochford's book containing many of the drawings.

To buy the book: https://www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/publications/wakefield-historical-publications/

16/09/2026

🪙🗡️ Castleford Library is hosting the amazing David Glover for a local history talk!

He will be talking about the Cragg Vale Coiners!

It is the tale of how an enterprising group of men in the Calder Valley area set up a counterfeiting operation in the 1760s, which would ultimately lead to the murder of local exciseman William Deighton, engaged in tracking them down.

Who sought justice for him and how did the bodies come to be hung in chains on Beacon Hill?

📅 5 October
⏰ 2pm-3:30pm
📍 Castleford Library
📎 Booking essential, visit: https://www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-libraries/t-jxjdmzy



Wakefield Council Castleford Museum Wakefield Historical Society Experience Wakefield

16/09/2026