Events and Activities

Our programme of local history talks runs from September to May each year, at St Luke’s Hall. Where possible we make recordings of the meetings available to members on Youtube for a limited period.

Our Local History Afternoon is held in alternate years, and in the Summer months we arrange visits to places of interest in Gloucestershire and further afield, and local history walks led by knowledgeable guides.

Date/Time Event Location
Wednesday, 17 September 2025, 7:30 PM The Thomas Phillipps Collection in Thirlestaine House, with Margaret Jones St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 7:30 PM Roger Fenton, mid-19th century photographer & his visit to Cheltenham, with John White St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 7:30 PM The Genesis of Cheltenham South Town, with Stuart Manton St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 7:30 PM Blood, Magic & Power: The Murder by Witchcraft of William Bayntun, with Louise Ryland-Epton St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 18 February 2026, 7:30 PM The Elusive Digger Settlement at Slimbridge, with Stuart Butler St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 7:30 PM George Rowe’s ‘Illustrated Cheltenham Guide’ of 1845: then, now and in the intervening years, with Dr Steven Blake St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 7:30 PM Gloucestershire & the Atlantic Slave Trade, with Tony Condor St Luke’s Hall
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 7:00 PM AGM followed by Arle Court: A House Through Time, with Sue Rowbotham St Luke’s Hall

Evening meetings are held at St Luke’s Hall, St Luke’s Place, Cheltenham GL53 7HP. Directions to the Hall can be found here.

There are 20-25 parking spaces available on a first come first served basis, but if you have health or mobility problems then you are very welcome to a reserved place. Please email or phone Alison on 01242 519413 to reserve a place.

Doors open at 7pm for browsing our donated books shop and library and for socialising.

Talks start at 7:30pm and last for about 1 hour followed by Q&A.
Non-members are welcome, and we charge £2 for both members and non-members.

Date/Time Event Location
Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 10:30 AM Funeral Trains – the Cheltenham & Gloucestershire connections, with Nicolas Wheatley St Luke’s Hall
Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 10:30 AM Origins & Development of the University of Gloucestershire, with Dr Matthew Andrews St Luke’s Hall
Tuesday, 3 February 2026, 10:30 AM Down Winterbotham Road: the enduring legacy of a Cheltenham family, with Adrian Barlow St Luke’s Hall
Tuesday, 7 April 2026, 10:00 AM Members’ Research & Display event St Luke’s Hall

Morning meetings are held at St Luke’s Hall, St Luke’s Place, Cheltenham GL53 7HP. Directions to the Hall can be found here.

There are few parking spaces available for our morning meetings, but those with health or mobility problems are very welcome to a space. Please email or phone Alison on 01242 519413 to reserve a place.

Doors open at 10am for refreshments, and for browsing our donated books shop and library and for socialising.

Talks start at 10:30am and last for about 1 hour followed by Q&A.

Non-members are welcome, and we charge £3 for both members and non-members.

Date/Time Event Location
Monday, 30 June 2025, 6:30 PM Walk: Around Leckhampton with Anne Bateman
Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 6:30 PM Walk: Old Charlton Kings with Mary Moxham
Saturday, 12 July 2025, 1:30 PM Local History Afternoon: Hospitality St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier
Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 9:00 AM Visit to Chipping Campden