The Cleveland and Teesside Local History Society operates an active and varied programme.
We provide regular talks and day-schools on a wide variety of topics and covering every period of history, from Anglo Saxon and Roman times to Victorian and Twentieth Century developments.
Details of our current programme of talks are provided below.
Winter 2024/25 Programme
Our Winter programme includes a mix of in-person and online lectures on a variety of history subjects. We’d love you to join us for these free talks. Details coming soon!
Saturday 15 February 2025 – 10.30am
Location: The Chapel, 16 Whitehouse Street, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY
Francis Joseph Sloane (1794-1871) – A grateful Alumnus
Lucia Luck
Lucia Luck will talk about her MA research based on the letters of Francis Joseph Sloane – a mine owner and librarian in Italy – which were found at his Alma Mater, Ushaw College, near Durham. Written between 1815 and 1863, they uncover his deep affection for Ushaw and his support for its students, clergy and financial needs, as well as gifts of many precious items. Lucia hopes that, thanks to this research, his name will be now included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
Skelton Castle: the first 1000 years
Peter Appleton
A new research project into the history of Skelton Castle has seen Peter Appleton transcribing wills, probates, inquisitions and “Feet of Fines” (an early form of conveyance). It will ultimately result in a new book about the castle. This talk is mostly about the “journey” rather than the “destination”, with some sneak peaks into the contents of the book, and how the project got started. Expect information newly uncovered and stories of the owning families and people of Skelton.
Saturday 22 March 2025 – 10.30am
Location: Online (Zoom)
From Pit Boy to Bomber Boy
Martin Peagam
The road from Pit Boy to Bomber Boy might otherwise be called From the Frying Pan into the Fire. In a personal family history Martin tells the story of how a young man left a reserved occupation down the pits in Durham to become part of a New Zealand crew in a campaign that saw over 55,000 men lose their lives.
This is, however, more than a family history, because this talk – embracing pit life, wartime production, and a contentious bomber campaign – is also an exploration of a time when, for many, life was very dangerous, and the young had to grow up very quickly, and how one particular man defied convention and seized an opportunity to forge his own path.
SIGN UP TO ATTEND (FREE)
Saturday 5 April 2025 – 9.45am
Location: River Tees Watersports Centre, Stockton
Day School
Stockton-on-Tees 1600-1835 – Urban History in a Regional Context
To mark the publication of Book of Orders and Accounts for the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, edited by John Little for the Surtees Society as volume 228 of its publications, the Surtees Society and the Cleveland & Teesside Local History Society will hold a day school exploring aspects of Urban History in a Regional Context.
Speakers will include established experts in the topic and research students exploring new ideas and themes. There will be an opportunity to view digital copies of the original Book of Orders held by Preston Hall Museum. Admission is free to members, thanks to the generosity of the Surtees Society and the Cleveland and Teesside Local History Society.
Full Details: http://ctlhs.co.uk/ctlhs-surtees-society-day-school/
For booking information, please contact martin@peagam.co.uk.
Saturday 12 April 2025 – 10.15am
Location: Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough
Annual General Meeting
Pubs in Stockton in the 19th Century and Beyond
Alan Betteney
Based on recent research and following his article in Cleveland History, Alan presents this look at the development of pubs in Stockton through the 19th century, including their locations, names, origins and their demise.
Hartlepool Conservation Area
Tim Bailey
Architect Tim Bailey hails from Hartlepool. His lecture explores this particular part of the town’s ‘At Risk’ architectural heritage and its potential role in shaping the vision for the town’s future development, with highlights on the Heugh Gun Battery and St Hilda’s Church.
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