History Group
Status: New members are always welcome
Group Leader(s): Keith and Lorraine Shelton
Meeting Times: 1st Wednesday each month at 14:00
Meeting Venue: Red Gables, Ipswich Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1BE
Click here to send an email to the Group Leader.
The History Group is a friendly and welcoming group for any members with an interest in local history, social history, family history, and wider historical themes.
We enjoy a mix of:
• Illustrated talks
• Visits to museums, archives, and historic places
If you enjoy history, conversation, and learning together in a friendly group, we’d love to see you. No specialist knowledge is needed - just an interest in the past and a willingness to explore it together. Members are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, suggest future topics and give talks.
2026 meetings:
Wednesday 7th January
Life & Times of Thomas Spence. Talk – led by Keith Shelton
A fascinating look at Thomas Spence, a radical thinker of the late 18th and early 19th centuries who argued for common ownership of land and equality between the sexes.
Wednesday 4th February
Visit to The Hold, Ipswich. Visit – led by Lorraine Shelton
A guided visit to Suffolk Archives, exploring how records are collected, stored, and made available, and how anyone can use archives for research.
Wednesday 4th March
History Mystery. Talk – led by Jackie Durrant
A session exploring a historical topic — with discussion and opportunity to think like a historian.
Thursday 2nd April
Visit to Woolpit Museum. Visit – led by Barbara Cutting
A visit to this popular local museum, offering insight into village life, traditions, and Suffolk history.
Wednesday 6th May
The Workhouse & Paupers’ Grave, Stowmarket. Talk – led by Glenda Taylor
A powerful and thought-provoking talk looking at the workhouse system and the lives and deaths of the poorest, with a local focus.
Wednesday 3rd June
Harwich Guided Tour. Visit – led by Lorraine Shelton
A guided walk exploring Harwich’s rich maritime and social history.
Wednesday 1st July
The Garratt Family of Leiston. Talk – led by Fraser Hale
An exploration of the Garratt family and their role in Leiston’s industrial and social history.
Wednesday 5th August
Visit to the Long Shop Museum, Leiston. Visit – led by Lorraine Shelton
A visit to this nationally important museum, telling the story of Victorian engineering and innovation in Leiston.
Wednesday 2nd September
The Great Exhibition of 1851. Talk – led by Gerald Brooks
A richly illustrated talk about the Great Exhibition and what it reveals about Victorian Britain, industry, and ambition.
Wednesday 7th October
Spicy Norwich. Talk – led by Anna Bradshaw
A lively look at how a little spice — in enterprise, ideas, and influence — helped shape Norwich in unexpected ways.
Wednesday 4th November
A Christmas Carol. Talk – led by Trisha Cole
An atmospheric session exploring Dickens’ classic story and its historical context.
Wednesday 2nd December
Review, Quiz & Christmas Social. Led by Keith & Lorraine
A relaxed end-of-year meeting with a quiz, reflections on the year, and a chance to socialise.
To learn more about us:
• See our latest News
• Dive into our Interest Groups
• See some of our recent activities in the Gallery
• Read our previous monthly Newsletters
• Get answers to some of your questions in our FAQs