Leicestershire Societies

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Societies

Family and local history societies vary greatly in size and scope. Many are formally constituted bodies, with a constitution and bank account, publishing journals, transcripts, organising projects and running their own websites. Until 2020, most held regular in-person meetings and similar events. In 2020, Covid-related restrictions brought these to a shuddering halt and frequently have spurred traditional organisations to adapt to online meetings and presentations. More recently, many societies have resumed traditional meetings, sometimes also offering online options. The best ways to check the current situation with a society of interest are to visit its website or social media page and, if necessary, seek clarification by email or message.
In recent years, growing numbers of traditional societies have ventured into social media. Such platforms are also increasingly used by less formal groups of local and family historians, as they cost little or nothing to operate and enable ready recruitment of and interaction with likeminded people. This page includes both traditional societies and online groups. It is probably not complete, particularly for the latter.
A few of the societies listed are not based in Leicestershire, but do have a significant involvement with the county.
Addresses, where shown, are those for writing to societies.

Ashby de la Zouch History Society
Methodist Church
Burton Road
Ashby, Leicestershire LE65 1DD UK
Telephone: 01530 415654
Email: christandy@hotmail.co.uk
Website: Ashby de la Zouch History Society

Memories of Old Aylestone Village
Social media: Memories of Old Aylestone Village

This group of 2,600 members shares memories, pictures and history relating to Aylestone, a few miles south of the centre of Leicester.

Bagworth Historical Society
Bagworth Working Men’s Club
9 Station Rd
Bagworth
Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1BJ UK
Telephone: 01530 230863
Email: gregory167@aol.com
Website: Bagworth Historical Society

The Society's idea was to build up an archive of what the village was like in years gone by.

Barkby Local History Group
Barkby Village Hall
19 Beeby Road
Barkby
Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3QB UK
Telephone: 0116 236 3739
Email: nickfathers@sky.com
Website: Barkby Local History Group

Billesdon Local History Group
Email: mel@vlaeminke.plus.com
Email #2: Billesdon.lhg@gmail.com
Website: Billesdon Local History Group

The Local History Society keeps a comprehensive selection of documents and photographs spanning the history of Billesdon.

Birstall & District Local History Society
Birstall Library
Wanlip Lane
Birstall, Leicestershire LE4 4JU UK
Telephone: 0116 267 5154
Telephone #2: 0116 292 8214
Email: adrien.topley@ntlworld.com
Website: Birstall & District Local History Society

Blaby Heritage & Museum Society Group
64 Southway
Blaby, Leicestershire LE8 4BB UK
Email: ptroake@yahoo.co.uk
Website: Blaby Heritage & Museum Society Group

Blaby Area Museum Society is small, and without a building as yet. It is keen to build up its collections of items connected with Blaby, and expand its services in the future. In this way, the Society aims to remind people of the importance of local history, and to support local history groups.

Bottesford Local History Society
Fuller Rooms
The Old School
Grantham Road
Bottesford
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 0DF UK
Telephone: 01949 843320
Email: neilfortey@metronet.co.uk
Website: Bottesford Local History Society

Broughton Astley Heritage Society
Broughton Astley Village Hall
Station Rd
Broughton Astley
Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 6PR UK
Telephone : 01455 285366
Email: baheritagesociety@gmail.com
Website: Broughton Astley Heritage Society

The primary aims and objects of Broughton Astley Heritage Society are to promote interest in and awareness of the historical heritage of Broughton Astley, Primethorpe, and Sutton-in-the-Elms and the surrounding area; to collect and preserve artefacts and documents relating to the area; to provide an educational resource for the use of local people, schools, etc.; to promote the preservation of the natural, built and historical heritage of the area; and to research and answer requests from home and abroad.

Burbage Heritage Group
Congregational Church
10a Church Street
Burbage
Hinckley, Leicestershire LE102DD UK
Email: enquiries@burbageheritage.co.uk
Website: Burbage Heritage Group

Burbage Heritage Group was started to promote an appreciation of the history, architecture, landscape, and wildlife in Burbage village and parish.

Charley Heritage Group
Telephone: 01509 503943
Email: burtonoaks@hotmail.com
Website: Charley Heritage Group
Website #2: Charley Heritage Group

The Aim of the Group is to continue its research into the history and the heritage of Charley and make this knowledge available to as wide an audience as possible.

Coalville Heritage Society
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Ashby Road
Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3LF UK
Email: coalville.heritage@gmail.com
Website: Coalville Heritage Society

On the website we intend to describe the heritage left by these early miners and engineers, we intend to document the town both past and present because we believe that in today lies tomorrows heritage.

Countesthorpe & Foston Heritage Group
Telephone: 0116 277 0584
Email: mtmiket7@gmail.com
Website: Countesthorpe and Foston Heritage Group

The principal aims of the group are to encourage more people to be involved in heritage activities, promote an appreciation of the history, architecture, landscape and wildlife of Countesthorpe, Foston & district, encourage interest in the heritage of the community, through a program of meetings, guest speakers and joint projects with similar minded organizations, and act as a focus for those interested in the heritage of the district.

Cropston
see Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society.

Desford & District Local History Society
Telephone: 01455 823537
Email: colincrane33@aol.com
Website: Desford & District Local History Society

The History Society are custodians of the parish archives. From time to time, we use these records to put on displays & exhibitions.

Diseworth History Society
Diseworth History Centre
Lady Gate
Diseworth, Leicestershire DE74 2QF UK
Telephone: 01332 853647
Email: nikki.hening@gmail.com
Website: Diseworth Heritage Center

Donisthorpe & District Local History Group
Donisthorpe Woodlands Centre (DM's)
Church St
Donisthorpe, Leicestershire DE12 7PY UK
Telephone: 01530 274172
Email: bw.rj@virgin.net
Website: Donisthorpe and District Local History Group

The group formed in 2001 to promote interest and awareness of the history of the Parish of Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe, and Acresford.

Enderby Heritage Group
Enderby Civic Centre
King St
Enderby
Leicester, Leicestershire LE19 4NT UK
Email: enderbyheritage@outlook.com
Website: Enderby Heritage Group

Fleckney History Group
Fleckney Village Hall
Fleckney
Leicester, Leicestershire LE8 8AY UK
Telephone: 0116 ​240 ​4221
Email: nvkdodsworth@​ukonline.​co.​uk
Website: Fleckney History Group

The group organises speakers, outings, special events, projects, and a museum in Fleckney Library.

Foston
see Countesthorpe & Foston Heritage Group.

Great Bowden Historical Society
Great Bowden Village Hall
35 Sutton Rd
Great Bowden
Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7EU UK
Email: paulharrison@greatbowden.freeserve.co.uk
Website: Great Bowden Historical Society

The aims of the Society are clearly stated as to hold monthly meetings to inform and, it was hoped, entertain to carry out research into village history. We have now built up a large collection of village photographs and memorabilia and have published a number of booklets.

Greater Wigston Historical Society
Age UK Oadby & Wigston
Paddock Street
Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2AN UK
Email: secretary@wigstonhistoricalsociety.co.uk
Website: Greater Wigston Historical Society

Halstead
see Tilton & District History Group.

Husbands Bosworth Historical Society
Website: Husbands Bosworth Historical Society
Social media: Husbands Bosworth Historical Society

The society promotes and preserves the heritage of this Leicestershire village which is immediately north of the border with Northamptonshire. It holds a vast archive of photographs, documents and artifacts and shares information and pictures in its social media group and publications.

Ibstock Historical Society
Palace Community Centre
High St
Ibstock, Leicestershire LE67 6LH UK
Email: ibstockhistory@live.com
Website: Ibstock Historical Society

The Society offer a range of services including access to our map and photo archive which numbers in excess of 1200 local images from all the surrounding villages, serving the communities of Battram, Ellistown, Heather, Ibstock, Nailstone, Newton Burgoland, Odstone, and Swepstone.

Kibworth History Society
6 The Tithings
Kibworth, Leicestershire LE8 0PU UK
Telephone: 0116 2796171
Email: history@kibworth.plus.com
Website: Kibworth History Society
Website #2: Kibworth History Society

The Society's aims include raising awareness and fostering an interest in local history, and gathering, study, and publication of local history information. Situated in south Leicestershire, the Society started life first as a family history group, then broadening to all aspects of history pertaining to the villages of Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt, and Smeeton Westerby.

Kirby Muxloe Local History Group
St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall
Main Street
Kirby Muxloe
Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 2AL UK
Telephone: 0116 2394476
Email: info@kirbymuxloelocalhistorygroup.org
Website: Kirby Muxloe Local History Group

The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group is committed to promoting and preserving the heritage of our village.

Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society
Website: Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society
Social media: Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society

Members receive a journal four times a year and are encouraged to cooperate in pursuing their shared interests. Monthly meetings normally take place at Wigston (Leicester), Oakham (Rutland), Hinckley, Loughborough and Market Harborough. There is also a programme of online meetings. The Society’s indexing and transcription projects and publications provide much help for researchers.

Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society
New Walk Museum
53 New Walk
Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7EA UK
Email: HonSecLAHS@gmail.com
Website: Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society

The Society was founded in 1855 and over the years has changed its name slightly, but its aims have virtually remained the same; 'to promote the study of history, archaeology, antiquities and architecture of the county'.

Leicestershire Industrial History Society
St. Mary's Community Hall
St. Mary's Avenue
Braunstone Lane, Leicestershire LE3 3FT UK
Telephone: 0116 291 9706
Email: lihs99@ntlworld.com
Website: Leicestershire Industrial History Society

The Society's aims include encouraging the study and recording of the industrial past of Leicestershire.

Lincoln Record Society
Robert Hardy Building
Bishop Grosseteste University College
Longdales Road
Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 3DY UK
Email: communications@lincoln-record-society.org.uk
Website: Lincoln Record Society

The Society was founded in 1910 to print records and documents relating to the ancient county and diocese of Lincoln. The ancient diocese covered not only Lincolnshire, the second largest county of England, but also the wide area which lay within the medieval diocese: the counties of Lincoln, Leicester, Northampton, Rutland, Oxford, Bedford, Buckingham, Huntingdon and northern Hertford. Since 1910 the Society has published ninety nine volumes many of which are still in print.

Long Whatton Local History Society
Email: lwhs@greasley.gotadsl.co.uk
Website: Long Whatton Local History Society

The Long Whatton History Society consists of a small group of people who wish to investigate the history of the village and collect and preserve as many photographs, records and memories as possible.

Loughborough Archaeological & Historical Society
James France Building
Loughborough University Campus
Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TW UK
Email: secretary@loughboroughpastandpresent.org
Website: Loughborough Archaeological & Historical Society

Founded in 1955 to encourage the study of the archaeology of the Loughborough area, the Society has expanded its interests to include all aspects of the area’s history.

Lutterworth Local History Group
39 Mulberry Close
Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4DF UK
Telephone: 01455 556498
Email: lynda@hillfamily39.fsnet.co.uk
Website: Lutterworth Local History Group

Market Harborough Historical Society
Roman Way Community Centre
36, Roman Way
Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7PQ UK
Telephone: 01858 446067
Email: leonard.holden@ntlworld.com
Website: Market Harborough Historical Society

The Market Harborough Historical Society, (originally, The Market Harborough Archaeological & Historical Society), was founded in 1931 and has been active ever since as a forum for those interested in local history and archaeology.

Newbold Verdon Family & Local History Group
Our Library @ Newbold Verdon
Sparkenhoe
Main St
Newbold Verdon
Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 9NP UK
Email: n.v.f.h.l.h.g@gmail.com
Website: Newbold Verdon Family and Local History Group

The Group meets on a weekly basis to research their family history, learn about new topics, and discuss “brick walls” they may have reached in the research of their personal history. They also run projects and organise events, trips and talks for their members and the wider community.

Ratby Local History Group
Ratby Village Hall
35 Main Street
Ratby
Leicester, Leicestershire LE6 0LN UK
Telephone: 0116 2394168
Email: doug.harwood@virgin.net
Website: Ratby Local History Group

Rothley History Society
The Rothley Centre
12 Mountsorrel Ln
Rothley
Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7PR UK
Telephone: 0116 2303387
Website: Rothley History Society

Shepshed History Society
The Glenmore Community Centre
Thorpe Road
Shepshed, Leicestershire LE12 9LU UK
Telephone: 01509 507815
Email: marjorieschulz@talktalk.net
Website: Shepshed History Society

Smeeton Westerby
see Kibworth History Society.

Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society
The Harrison Room
All Saints' Church
52-64 Anstey Lane
Thurcaston
Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7JB UK
Telephone: 0116 236 7365
Email: ourmaillist-lhistory@yahoo.co.uk
Website: Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society

The Local History Society is for the parish of Thurcaston and Cropston, in the Charnwood area of Leicestershire. Over the next few months the website will be adding content about our society - our programme of events and publications, the history of our two villages, and transcriptions of parish records and census data for family historians.

Tilton & District History Group
Randaberg
Leicester Road
Tilton On The Hill
Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 9DB UK
Email: contact@tiltononthehill.org.uk
Website: Tilton & District History Group

Members pursue research into the history and development of Tilton and Halstead and the surrounding district, either individually or in small groups. Also, visits are made to historic sites and buildings, for example, a recent visit to a deserted medieval village and an evening recently spent viewing stained glass windows in Tilton and Lowesby churches and at Withcote Chapel.

Vaughan Archaeological & Historical Society
Vaughan College
128 Regent Rd
Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7PA UK
Telephone: 01455 636686
Email: gerry.stacey@ntlworld.com
Website: Vaughan Archaeological & Historical Society

The Society was formed in 1947 and membership is open to people interested in Archaeology and History, particularly of Leicestershire and Rutland.

Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands
Website: Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands

The aims of the Society laid down in 1893 were to promote the study of the history and literature of early Methodism, research into the Wesley's, and investigation into the beginnings and development of Methodism. Area: Leicestershire, Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham.

Whitwick Historical Group
Old Station Building
North Street
Whitwick, Leicestershire LE67 5HA UK
Telephone (home): 01530 ​813138
Telephone (work): 01509 ​282035
Email: daphne.​hewitt@​advantica.​biz
Website: Whitwick Historical Group

The group houses a large collection of resources which are available to members and non-members of the group. Resources include photographs, maps, documents and artefacts and our media room provides access to microfiche, census returns, CDs etc. All these resources can be used by family history researchers as well as people that are interested in the history and heritage of the area, and experienced friendly experts are always on hand to help you.

The Wolds Historical Organisation
Windmill Inn
Brook Street
Wymeswold, Leicestershire LE12 6T UK
Telephone: 01509 881342
Website: The Wolds Historical Organisation

The WHO was founded in 1987 to promote interest in the local history of the villages on the western side of the Leicestershire Wolds, specifically Wymeswold, Burton on the Wolds, Hoton, Prestwold, and Cotes.