Lecture Programme for 2026
Wakefield Historical Society meetings are usually held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at West Yorkshire History Centre, Kirkgate Wakefield, WF1 1JG. starting at 7pm. Non-members are welcome in person for a fee of £2, or can request a Zoom link when available for £5. Please contact us for more information and the Zoom link: info@WakefieldHistoricalSociety.org.uk
Information about our next meeting:
9 September 2026 at West Yorkshire History Centre Kirkgate, 7pm.’
The Yorkshireman who mapped Elizabeth’s realm’, talk by Dr. David Fletcher
Dr. David Fletcher, author of The Queen’s Atlas: Saxton’s Elizabethan Masterpiece, will tell what is known of the story of the locally-born Christopher Saxton who, in just four years, mapped the whole of England and Wales, county by county. Dr. Fletcher found the 1979 Wakefield Historical Publications volume – Christopher Saxton: Elizabethan Map Maker by Heather Lawrence and Ifor M. Evans very useful in preparing his volume.
Programme for 2026 – 2027
Wednesday 9th September: The Yorkshireman who mapped Elizabeth’s realm. Talk by Dr. David Fletcher about Christopher Saxton, the locally-born mapmaker during the reign of Elizabeth 1.
Wednesday 14th October :The Later Listers of Shibden Hall – 1854-1933, Talk by David Glover (President of Halifax Antiquarian Society) about the Listers who occupied Shibden Hall from 1854-1933.
Wednesday 11th November: to be confirmed
Wednesday 9th December: Reverend John Sharp of Horbury, talk by Fr. Christopher Johnson, about a former vicar of Horbury, John Sharp, whose father, Samuel Sharp, was vicar of Wakefield for 40 years.
Thursday 14th January: Joint Meeting with Wakefield Civic Society, details to be confirmed. Town Hall 7.30pm. Please note the change of day and venue.
Wednesday 10th February: The History of the Thoresby Society, talk by Steven Burt, author and historian, about Ralph Thoresby and the Thoresby Society which is based in Leeds
Wednesday 10th March: Society AGM and talks by members.