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:
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. West Yorkshire History Centre, 7pm
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: ‘The Life and Work of Charles Alfred Stothard (1786-1821)’ by Richard Knowles, President of Wakefield Historical Society
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: Please note the change of day and venue. Wakefield Town Hall 7.30pm. Joint Meeting with Wakefield Civic Society
‘435 Years in the life of Wakefield’s Old Grammar School’ by Dr Joanne Harrison, RIBA IHBC
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.
Wednesday 7th April: (please note this meeting will take place on the first Wednesday of the month) ‘Conservation of the Wakefield Court Rolls ‘ talk by Sylvia Thomas, Honorary Collections Liaison Officer at YAHS on the project to conserve 18th century land transfer deeds from the Manor of Wakefield.
Wednesday 12th May: Talks from the Wakefield Historical Society Research Group