Previous Meetings

Jonathan Lodge MSc of Resurgam Genealogy demonstrates how genealogical research techniques can be used to break through family history ‘brick walls’.

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. The Historical Society are again coordinating a community wide programme as ​​​part of the national event. This meeting is to raise money for the programme.

Hemp was once used for rot-resistant sails, rope and nets. It was so important that in 1533, Henry VIII made hemp cultivation compulsory by law. The Waveney Valley once produced one eighth of the country's output of hemp.

A narrow escape for the residents of Harleston when a 19thC knife wielding villain passed through town. A story spanning the slums of London, the slums of the Sunderland and ending in Pentonville after an interlude of violence and mayhem in Harleston.

The true-life story of Norwich legend the late Joe Stirling, who as a young Jewish boy escaped Nazi Germany on a Kindertransport, his destiny to become Sheriff of Norwich, pioneering travel agent and award-winning charity fundraiser.

Starting from a small works situated behind the churchyard wall at Peasenhall, seed drills were made for 167 years which became famous throughout the world for their quality and the ability to sow practically anything.

Starting from a small works situated behind the churchyard wall at Peasenhall, seed drills were made for 167 years which became famous throughout the world for their quality and the ability to sow practically anything.

Adrian O’dell invites you to view his film about his father’s wartime escape from Poland to Britain, and he and his wife's journey following in his father's footsteps 80 years later. The film tells the story of both odysseys, one separated from the other by eight decades and a changed world.

A brief history of domestic waste disposal in Suffolk.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be followed by a presentation from the Chair of the Historical Society and Blue Badge Guide Chris Green.

The December meeting will be a light hearted fun afternoon with mulled wine and mince pies. More details will follow.

Reminisce with memories and stories of local people from the last 100 years .

The history of elementary education from 1700 to 1900.

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. The Historical Society are again coordinating a community wide programme as ​​​part of the national event. This presentation will launch the town event.

Gazes Auction Rooms will be setting a few challenges for teams to discuss, similar to those on the Antiques Roadshow. Participants will be asked to rank objects whether they are: good, better, best or, old, older, oldest for instance. This will be followed by a mock auction.

Norwich in 1950s and 1960s was a different place. Recovering from the scars of war the city was coming to terms with itself. From post-war austerity where children played in the rubble of bomb sites to the consumer society, Norwich embraced the decades of change.

Step into the shadowy world of Victorian Murders in East Anglia! Discover the dark and twisted tales of a bygone era, where fog-laden streets and rural landscapes were the backdrops to some of the most heinous crimes. Where sinister deeds and chilling crimes cast long shadows over this region.

The true story of a notorious family from Rickinghall and Hinderclay in Suffolk - a tale of poaching, murder, heavy drinking and intrigue.