Ridware History Society

The mission of the RHS

The Ridware History Society was formed in 1990 by a group of enthusiasts who wished to explore the history on their doorstep.
We are now a thriving group whose aim is to raise awareness of our particular history and to engage the interest of the general public in preserving their local heritage.

Members pursue their interests through a year-round programme of events, which is split into two parts.  During late autumn and winter, a series of talks are delivered, generally by visiting speakers, on diverse subjects.  During late spring and summer, the programme consists of six visits to places of historical interest, within easy travelling distance of the Ridwares.

Members who have an interest in research have formed the Ridware Study Group.  Individually and collectively, the members pursue a range of subjects, which explore many aspects of the rich history of the Ridwares.  This involves a wide range of topics from genealogy, education, land enclosure and just about anything into which any individual wishes to inquire.

Ridware History Society is a member of the Staffordshire Heritage Group.

We are delighted that the Society has been awarded an Awards for All lottery grant of £1500.  The grant was specifically to acquire presentation boards and a powerpoint projector.  These will enable us to far more effectively present the results of our research. 

Latest news

3rd July 2010:  Members marked the 20th Anniversary of the Society with a celebration at the Gatehouse, Mavesyn Ridware, by permission of Sunny and Mark Eades.  A champagne buffet was held on a lovely sunny day and many old members travelled some distance to be present. Entertainment was provided by the Early Music Man, Terry Carter.

Meetings
2011
15th September: Members enjoyed a coach trip to Knutsford and Plymouth Grove.  Elizabeth Gaskell based 'Cranford' on Knutsford and she lived at Plymouth Grove for many years

3rd October:  Jim Sutton gave members a talk on the Association for the Prosecution of Felons.
7th November:  Anne Andrews talked about Icehouses, with particular reference to the Icehouse at Tixall.
5th December:  Danny Wells spoke to the Society about the Salvation Army and Catherine Booth

2012
9th January:  Following the A.G.M., Caroline Haycock spoke to the society about her research into Lucy Porter and Catherine Chamers - two Johnsonian ladies.
6th February:  Richard Stone gave a very interesting talk about the River Trent
5th March:  Members welcomed Pat Scaife, who gave a fascinating talk on Lichfield Cathedral Library. 
11th April:  A group visited 2 exhibitions at Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust in Derby.  One was an overview of the Rolls-Royce story and the other a collection of aero engines, ranging from First World War to modern times.
5th May:  Members visited St John's Hospital and Milley's Hospital, in Lichfield.  They had an interesting tour of both of these buildings.
8th June:  A group of 20 visited The Wombourne Wodehouse, a mediaeval timber-framed house dating to 1350.  They had a fascinating tour of the gardens and the house.
1st October:  Robert Maddocks spoke to the Society about the Littleton Family of Teddesley Hall and the family links with Pipe Ridware.
5th November: The society heard a very interesting talk by Catherine Cartwright entitled 'Barnett & Barker - Tinmen of the Trent Valley' concerning a tin plating manufactory at Kings Bromley and Rugeley.
3rd December:  The Society enjoyed the annual Christmas Buffet which was preceded by Bob and Del Neill entertaining us with 'Bits and Bobs' - a host of objects of which we endeavoured to guess the original purpose.

2013
7th January:  Following the AGM, Sarah Elsom gave an interesting talk on the history of the office of High Sheriff.  She is the current High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
4th February:  Gill Sykes of Colton History Society and Dave Thomas of SOTMAS gave an interesting talk on recent archaeological digs at Colton and Rocester.
4th March:  Mike Shaw, Archaeologist with Wolverhampton City Council, gave a fascinating talk on Anglo Saxon Tamworth.

Click on the Programme link for details of these and other meetings.