Admiral Rodney and St Leonard's
The Walled Garden
The Dovecote

Wollaton Historical & Conservation Society

Unlocking the past, securing the future

Events

Monthly Summary

Select a date with an entry for upcoming events:

« April 2026 »
S M T W T F S
Wednesday 1 April 2026
Thursday 2 April 2026
Friday 3 April 2026
Saturday 4 April 2026
Sunday 5 April 2026
Monday 6 April 2026
Tuesday 7 April 2026
Wednesday 8 April 2026
Thursday 9 April 2026
Friday 10 April 2026
Saturday 11 April 2026
Sunday 12 April 2026
Monday 13 April 2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Wednesday 15 April 2026
Thursday 16 April 2026
Friday 17 April 2026
Saturday 18 April 2026
Sunday 19 April 2026
Monday 20 April 2026 18:45 Wollaton Park Book Launch
Tuesday 21 April 2026
Thursday 23 April 2026
Friday 24 April 2026
27 April 2026
28 April 2026
29 April 2026
30 April 2026

WHaCS Meetings

  • Dates and times: Latest programme shown below. From 7.15pm there is opportunity for a tea/coffee/social, then our guest speaker starts at 7.45pm.
  • Venue: St Leonard's Community Centre, 4 Bramcote Lane, Nottingham, NG8 2ND. See our Map.
  • Entry: Entry is free for Society members and non-members are welcome, paying £3 at the door.
  • Parking: Car park to the rear of the Community Centre.
  • Nearest bus stops: NCT no. 30 to the Admiral Rodney, or trentbarton the two to Birdsall Avenue.
2026-2027 Programme
Wed 25 March 2026
"Who Lived at the Admiral Rodney in the 18th century?"

Fascinating insights into the lives of the people who lived in Wollaton's public house between 1680-1790.

Julia King is our speaker.
(WHaCS member and family history researcher.)

Wed 22 April 2026
AGM followed by:
"The Canary Girls of Chilwell."

A short history of the Chilwell Munitions Factory – the “VC Factory” - and the women who turned yellow and even lost their lives in their contribution to making it the most productive shell producing unit in the First World War.

Liz Adamson is our speaker.
(WHaCS member.)

This is a change to our planned talk and speaker due to ill health.

Wed 23 September 2026
"The Good, The Bad and the (B)ugly."

Strange insect stories from throughout history.

We'll visit 14th century France on the search for beetle justice; 1920s Australia to meet an heroic moth; find out how bees were heating up the Cold War in SE Asia; and generally check in on old friends, ancient foes, and strange neighbours.

Linda Birkin is our speaker.

Speaker website
Wed 28 October 2026
"East Coast Main Line Disasters."

The East Coast Main Line runs through our region from Peterborough to Doncaster on its way between London and Edinburgh. As the author of a definitive book on the topic, Adrian Gray can explain how accidents and disasters influenced the gradual improvement of safety down the years with some graphic illustrations of what went wrong, including famous accidents at Doncaster and Grantham.

Adrian Gray is our speaker.

Wed 25 November 2026
"Stanton on Film."

A compilation of black and white and colour film footage, both professional and amateur, taken at the iron works between the 1930s and the 1980s showing the production of iron, spun and iron pipes and concrete pipes.

Stephen Flinders is our speaker.

Wed 27 January 2027
"Nottingham's Caves - Exploring Hidden Histories."

An insight into the fascinating history of Nottingham's caves and their many uses over 800 years, from medieval workshops to dwellings and air raid shelters.

Chris King is our speaker.

Wed 24 February 2027
"Anthony Woodville - Sophisticate or Schemer."

Based on her biography of Anthony Woodville, published in spring 2024, Danielle will explore whether Anthony Woodville, brother of Queen Elizabeth Woodville and thus brother-in-law to Edward IV, was really as bad as some have portrayed him, or was he really a man of many talents?

Danielle Burton is our speaker.

Wed 24 March 2027
"The Empress and the Washerwoman - St Peter's through Women's History."

From the Empress Matilda and Margery Doubleday, the "Tudor Laundress", to Annie Freeman, "Canary Girl", and enslaved "Congo Mary", women have left their mark on this remarkable, yet often overlooked, building. The ancient church of St Peter's has stood on its rocky outcrop in the centre of Nottingham, in some shape or form, since 1108 and is a document of nine centuries of women's history: local, national, and international.

Dorothy Mountford is our speaker.

Wed 28 April 2027
AGM followed by:
"The Nottinghamshire Coroner - Medieval to Modern Times."

Dr Didcock is an Assistant Coroner and will delve into the long history of, and fascinating stories from, the coronial service, both national and local.

Dr Elizabeth Didcock is our speaker.

See your copy of Wollaton Historical for more details on this year's talks.


Wollaton Village Dovecote Museum

2026 Season

Please do come and visit the Wollaton Village Dovecote Museum, learn more about its history, explore this year's exhibition and delve into the various research projects.

The main theme of displays this year will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wollaton Natural History Society.

Details of our opening dates and times for this season are as shown below.

Free admission with all donations welcomed.

For more information on this historic building, see our Dovecote page.

  • Sun 10 May 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Season Opening
    New displays in place
  • Sun 14 June 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Displays continue
  • Sat 4 July 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Wollaton Community Festival
    Displays continue
    Traditional games outside
  • Sun 5 July 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Wollaton Community Festival
    Displays continue
    Traditional games outside
  • Sun 12 July 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Displays continue
  • Sun 9 August 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Displays continue
  • Sun 13 September 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Heritage Open Day
    Displays continue
  • Sun 20 September 2026
    Open 2.00pm to 4.30pm
    Heritage Open Day
    Displays continue

Free guided walk around the village at 3.15pm on open days.

Dovecote Museum location:


Wollaton Walled Garden

Special Events 2026

Please do come and visit the Wollaton Walled Garden, learn more about its history and witness the incredible restoration.

Details of the special events for this year are as shown below.

For more information on this historic garden, see our Walled Garden page.

  • Sat 25 & Sun 26 April 2026
    Spring Festival - more information
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    £2 entrance fee, children free
  • Sat 4 & Sun 5 July 2026
    Summer Festival - more information
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    £2 entrance fee, children free
  • Sun 16 August 2026
    National Garden Scheme - more information
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    £5 entrance fee, children free
  • Tue 15 & Thu 17 September 2026
    Heritage Open Days
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    Entry free - donations welcomed
  • Sat 19 & Sun 20 September 2026
    Autumn Festival - more information
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    £2 entrance fee, children free
  • Thu 8 October 2026
    Mental Health Awareness Day
    Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
    Entry free - donations welcomed

Walled Garden location and other guided tours:

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