Herefordshire Histories Festival

03/06/2026

Mortimer History Society

No religious purpose whatever?: Another look at the smaller religious houses of the Welsh March. John Grove Memorial Lecture presented by Professor Janet Burton. Medieval monasteries varied considerably in size and wealth, but small communities have generally received bad press. This lecture analyses such attitudes and traces their origins and argues for a different approach to this historical problem.

Wednesday 17 June, 7pm at Grange Court, Leominster HR6 8NW.

Cost: £10 non members (with option for cream tea from 6pm). Please book online at Events - Mortimer History Society.

19/05/2026

LEOMINSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Sir John Oldcastle of Herefordshire: Traitor, Martyr or the Real Falstaff? Sir John Oldcastle, a prominent figure in the 15th century, is often remembered as the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Falstaff, but his true story is far more complex. Was he a traitor to the crown, a martyr for his beliefs, or something else entirely? Andy Johnson will delve into the life of Oldcastle, exploring his connections to Herefordshire and the conflicting narratives that surround him.

Wednesday, 21 May at 7:30 PM, John Abel Room, Grange Court, Leominster (HR6 8NL).

Cost: email [email protected]

WELLINGTON PARISH HISTORY SOCIETY

Timber-Framed Buildings - What's Not to Like? David Clayton looks at the importance of listing buildings, how the principles of building conservation should be applied and how timber-framed buildings were built. This is followed by a review of some of the more common issues which afflict these venerable structures.

Thursday 28 May, 7.30pm at Wellington Community Centre, Wellington, Hereford HR4 8AZ

Cost: £3

Don’t forget to have a look at the Herefordshire Histories Festival website, which now features listings for events all year round: HEREFORDSHIRE HISTORIES FESTIVAL MAY 2026

19/05/2026

As part of The Herefordshire Histories Festival, 2026, The Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club is delighted to host a day of lectures.

Fresh Insights into Herefordshire’s History

These talks, from cutting edge authors of recent or forthcoming publications offer fresh insights into key aspects of Herefordshire’s past .

Friday 22 May 2026

Venue: Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre, Fir Tree Lane, Hereford HR2 6LA.

Morning session: 10.30 -12.45

Talk 1: A five-thousand-year tradition of creating buildings in timber: Duncan James FSA, Insight Historic Buildings Consultancy

Coffee break

Talk 2: The 1990s Excavation of the site for the New Library (‘Mappa Mundi’) Building, Hereford Cathedral: Derek Hurst, Worcestershire Archaeology

Afternoon session: 14.00 – 16.15

Talk 3: The Hereford Gospels and a discovered ‘Palimpsest document: Dr David Thomson, Hereford Cathedral

Coffee break

Talk 4: Offa’s D**e: A Window on Early Medieval Britain: Prof. Keith Ray, Cardiff University and Offa’s D**e Association

There is no charge, but please book online for the morning session, the afternoon session, or both, at

Buy tickets for Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club's upcoming events. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

14/05/2026

Have you ever wondered how cider played a role in the American Revolution? Because we have! 🍏 Through objects like this 1765 engraving by American Patriot Paul Revere, find out about the influence that cider had on the American Revolution and the key role it played in ideas of liberty both in Britain and America, in a talk led by the Museum's curators on Thursday 14th May.
🏰 This even is part of the Herefordshire Histories Festival.
🎟 Tickets available from our website: www.cidermuseum.co.uk

14/05/2026

Have you ever wondered how cider played a role in American politics? Because we have! 🍏 Through objects like these novelty campaign cards, find out how cider played a part in the 1840 American election of President William Henry Harrison, in a talk led by the Museum's curators on Tomorrow, Thursday 14th May.
🏰 This event is part of the Herefordshire Histories Festival.
🎟 Tickets available from our website: www.cidermuseum.co.uk

14/05/2026

We're very pleased to be supporting the Herefordshire Histories Festival this month.

Volunteers from the Waterworks Museum will be at the Hereford History Day on Saturday 16th May. It will take place in Hereford at St Peter’s Church, in St Peter’s Square near the the Town Hall and Shire Hall. Open from 10am to 4pm.

Come along to the event and meet fascinating family and local history societies from around Herefordshire.

For details visit https://herefordshirehistories.org/

Herefordshire Histories Festival

12/05/2026

12/05/2026

Locally made and specially commissioned art work forms the prize for the Museum Without Walls treasure hunt 23rd May Ross-on-Wye.

We have a whole clutch of food and drink prizes for the first people to complete our Treasure Hunt on May 23rd. But, for those who complete the much harder, second stage, there's a particularly wonderful top prize - a specially commissioned fused-glass work of art from Rana Dekki (www.dekkiart.co.uk) - pictured here.

Rana says of her work, “I have always been creative in all sorts of media. My work is very colourful hence I took up glass fusing a few years ago. Light brings the glass to life, making it a very uplifting media to work with. My pieces are unique one-offs, I never repeat a design unless they are part of a set. It's been a great pleasure & honour to be commissioned by Museum Without Walls!”

Just come along to St Mary's church from 10am on May 23rd to collect your form, have fun, and have a chance to win one of the prizes!