History Group talks and other events at the William Layne Reading Room, Aughton Lane, Aston, S26 2AN.

When do we meet?

The History Group meets in the William Layne Reading Room, Aughton Lane, Aston on the first and third Mondays of the month 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm.  (When the Monday is a bank holiday, the meeting moves to the following Monday.)

On the first Monday we have a general meeting of members and on the third Monday we often have a speaker.  The History Group takes a break during August.   New members are always welcome, just come along to a meeting and try us out.

Visitors are welcome at the talks, with a charge of £4.00, including refreshments.

History Group Talks in the William Layne Reading Room, Aughton Lane, Aston.   Visitors welcome at our talks:  £4 including refreshments.

Monday 19th February 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Nick Duggan, Volunteer Curator for the Ken Hawley Collection in the Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.:  “The Hawley Collection”.   The wonders of the world’s  largest tool and metalwork collection.

Monday 18th March 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Peter Machan:  “The Fantastic Career of Charlie Peace, the Banner Cross Murderer”.

Monday 15th April 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Pat McLaughlin:   “Rotherham’s Ancient Sites”.

Monday 20th May 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Stephen Gay:  “Picture Postcard Rotherham”.   Scenes and landmarks across the Borough.

Saturday 3rd August 2024.
Aston Carnival.  Parade begins 11 a.m. and arrives at the Lodge Lane Playing Fields at 12 noon.

Heritage Open Days run from Friday 6th September 2024 to Wednesday 25th September .
We will be opening the Reading Room, Aughton Lane, Aston on the following dates:
Friday 6th September, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 7th September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Discover our local history through documents, maps and photographs.

Monday 21st October 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Susan Deal:   “the House is Open – the Workhouse System and the Poor Law”.   This talk looks generally at the experience of being a workhouse inmate, how they changed over the period and why the  word was one of such horror to many elderly people.   Included is a short section on our l0cal workhouse.

Monday 19th November 2024, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Illustrated talk by Kathryn Brookes:   “War Graves Commission research and records using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Archives”.  Explore some of the gems of our collection and discover more about our war records.