Past Events

What was Christmas like in the 1890’s – the inmates at the workhouse were treated to roast beef and plum pudding. What about Christmas in the 1950’s – the first Christmas lights were switched on in Northampton in 1959 and The Salon de Danse held Christmas eve dance with two bands.

One of the most enduring and popular of film comedies is the Carry On films. 32 films were made between 1958 and 1992 and their reputation for bawdy fun has never disappeared. Steve Dimmer takes us through the rise of this beloved series, looking at the lives of some of the main players as well as showing clips from some of the most successful and examine why they lost their popularity.

For two centuries, The Knights Templar were an established order in England, then overnight it all came to an end, leading to legends of secret tunnels, treasure and intrigue.
This journey takes us around some of the buildings they have left behind and tells their story (without the fictitious embellishments.) Jackie has always had a passion for history and art and on retirement from a career in Education, took up researching local and medieval history and botanical painting (an interesting combination). The History Talks she gives raise money for local charities, currently for St. Martin’s Church in Welton.

Join us to hear from Adam Foster, owner of the Water Tower on Ashton Road, who will talk to us about the current and future renovations. Having appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, we can hear from Adam first hand, the progress on turning the Water Tower into a family home.

The Long and Surprising History of Grafton Regis and the Church of St Mary the Virgin

Jean Glanville, Churchwarden, will tell the story of the beautiful Church of St Mary the Virgin from its Anglo-Saxon beginnings through its medieval connections with the Woodville family up until the Victorian age, when major significant changes were carried out, and beyond. She will also point out major artefacts in the Church, including the Woodville tombs, the medieval painting of The Kiss of Judas, original tiles from the site of the Hermitage, and commemorations of the FitzRoy family, Dukes of Grafton.

Dr Keith Harry will present an illustrated account of the history of Grafton through its period of Norman ownership, the coming of the Woodvilles, the arrival of Henry VIII and the building of his palace, and visits by subsequent monarchs. The history of Grafton House prior to its destruction in a Civil War siege is also important both because of the powerful courtiers such as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Ludovic Stuart, Duke of Lennox, who were its tenants in Elizabethan and Jacobean times, and because of its connection with the Grafton Portrait, which may be the earliest likeness of William Shakespeare. After the major events of previous centuries, Grafton reverted to being a quiet rural Northamptonshire village, although the turn of the twenty first century saw another royal visit.

Margaret Bondfield was once one of the best known women in the trade union movement. From a poorly paid, overworked shop assistant she became a champion of women’s rights and a campaigner for world peace. Briefly MP for Northampton in 1924, she became the first woman cabinet minister in 1929. So why is she not better known today? This talk tells the story of her triumphs and her tragedy.

The film, taken by Northampton businessman Bassett-Lowke, shows the Victory Parade in the town in 1945 and V.E. Day street parties in 1946.
We will also see another short film from their collection.

Take a tour around Northamptonshire courts, and a look at the history of the judicial system.

The talk provides an overview of the 384th Bomb Group during its time at Grafton Underwood in World War 2. Followed by an update of the restoration of the Operations Building and creation of a Museum to tell the stories and provide activities of what went on at Grafton Underwood for the Airmen and crew.

The once quiet and peaceful landscape of Northamptonshire was beginning to change as the Iron Age came to a close. The conquest of Britain and the creation of the new Roman province brought with it a new system of administration and governance. In this presentation we will consider the impact of this change on rural Northamptonshire, how it affected the communities that had settled in this part of the country and how that landscape suddenly became a lot more busier.

Annual Get Together at Roade Bowls Club with buffet, entertainment and raffle.

The history of the Young’s family beginning in 1870 when Carolyn’s great grandfather bought the Co-Op shop in the High Street through to the eventual sale of the Nursery following David Young’s death in 2014.

Talk covering 200 years featuring the town’s first know theatre in a barn, the theatre across the road where a young Charlie Chaplin worked to famous faces and mixed fortunes to the four theatres in one at the Derngate.

Roade WI formed in 1928 and has a wealth of history in the village. Come along and see how it has progressed throughout the years to present day. It will certainly be a trip down memory land.

Guided tour around the main building with the chance to see the cells. The Great Hall ceiling is richly decorated with the arms of the counties. Refreshments after the tour. Cost is £10 per person. Parking close by at St John’s Car Park – 2 minutes walk away from venue.

“The Bells Go Down” – a film with Tommy Trinder & James Mason to celebrate the D-Day celebrations.

Polly takes us back to the music of 1960’s and her memories of that time.

Virginia Bradford was a silent movie actress who led a very colourful life. Once her film career ended she moved to England where her many adventures and brushes with the law began in London, Cornwall and Tiffield!

Richard Dunkley, a former builder and railway contractor, well known in connection with the earlier phases of the London and North-Western Railway.

From a WWII Wellington Bomber Training Station and post-war becoming “The Birthplace of Formula One” and “Home of British Motor Racing”.

Come along and join us for our annual social “get together” for members and guests.

Join us for our Christmas meeting where Ron Johnson will talk about his notorious relative. We will also be joined by Roade Community Choir for a few Christmas carols to get us into the festive spirit.

We welcome back Graham McKechnie, BBC Radio Northampton’s Sports Editor, to talk to us about Walter Tull who played for Northampton FC and Frank Anderson, who played for Northampton Saints. Graham is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker who brings the characters to life.

Lesley’s role as a volunteer and projects undertaken. Examples of amazing, interesting, enlightening, unusual and peculiar items she has catalogued and seen.

Andrew Tennet gives us a presentation regarding the life and influence of Queen Eleanor of Castile, her links to Northampton and her impact on many of the things that we take for granted in our everyday lives.

Join us for a historic tour of the Weedon Depot. The Old Depot, Weedon Bec, Northampton NN7 4PS

Join us at Roade Village Hall in celebrating the 100 Year anniversary of Pianoforte Supplies Limited.

Derek Blunt will take us on a tour of the quirky and unusual sights of Northamptonshire.

Former Royal Train Manager, Chris Hillyard, takes us on a journey discovering the Royal Train.

Graham McKechnie from BBC’s Radio Northampton will be telling us the story of Blair Swannell who was an international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Northampton.

Phil Hayes gives a talk of his first aid journey to Ukraine

RLHS Annual January Get Together

Come along for tips on researching your local Family History and more.
Roade (or Rode) goes back to the Domesday Book and there are still numerous surnames in Roade which go back centuries.
We might be able to find an ancestor of yours via the varied photographs and documents. You will be able to
view photographs of the rich local history of the village of Roade.

Come along and see living history – the Northamptonshire Home Guard

Fifty Years of Northamptonshire Archaeology – A Personal Journey

This talk will cover the historical links between Roade and Hartwell

A tour round Alderton

As part of a community event celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, RLHS will stage a Reigns & Coronations Exhibition displaying memorabilia from the reigns of monarchs from Queen Victoria to the present day. This will feature commemoratives, ceramics, stamps, ephemera and unique items from the private collections of local residents. It will also highlight residents, past and present, who have been recognised by the award of a UK Honour.

Relive the Diamond Celebration – was it really 10 years ago!
A warm up for the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Edgar Mobbs – the life and death of a Northampton sporting icon. Speaker: Graham McKechnie

Northampton Saints’ Club Historian and BBC Radio Northampton Sports Editor.

Learn the story from the band’s founder Steve Giles, Drummer Clive Thorneycroft, Guitarist Martin Weaver
and Bass Player Ron.

Join us for a talk on Preston Deanery Hall

Including old films of Northampton and Roade

A play by Ron Johnson

The best burglar in the county

One of Northamptonshire’s lost Country Houses

Recollections of Roade Residents past and present