PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS FOR 2025 - 2026

Our monthly meetings for members are on the first Friday of each month in the Rococo Room at the Molineux Hotel, home of the Archives.  Meetings start at 11.00 am with refreshments available beforehand, and close by 12.45 pm

Visitors are welcome to attend any meeting, and admission is £3.  Lately, capacity has been tight, so those intending to visit must book first by emailing: friendswolvesarchives@gmail.com.

Friday 7th November                  Presenters: Aidan Ridyard and Chris Kennedy

‘Elegant, Well-Mannered and Never Dull  – The Church Architecture of Richard Twentyman’

Richard Twentyman, (1903-1979) the brother of the sculptor Anthony Twentyman, was a successful West Midlands architect based in Wolverhampton, known particularly for the churches he designed.  The talk, based on research into his life and career, explores how his architecture developed in response to changing social, economic and religious circumstances.

Friday 5th December                    Presenter: Max Keen

The History of Dudley Castle 1071 - 1933
A fortress since 1087, Dudley has seen its fair share of sieges, political derring-do and royal visits - not to mention illegal mints, ghosts and great fires. Featuring a quick change from medieval to civil war costume & weapons during the talk! 

NB: Max is a very popular local speaker and to accommodate visitors, this meeting will be held at SS Mary & John, Snow Hill, W’ton. There is a large hall, with a kitchen, and plenty of parking. Visitors fee £5 per person

January 2026 - No Meeting

Friday 6th February 2026              Presenters: Tim Beech and Penny Smith

Tettenhall Towers

Thomas Thorneycroft and his Family & Contacts and an Update on Tettenhall Towers
Following on from the Thorneycroft Book presentation a couple of years ago, Penny has been exploring the wider family and contacts around the UK of Thomas Thorneycroft. Tim will be telling us about some of the works around the recent conservation of Tettenhall Towers, the home of Thomas.

Friday 6th March 2026                  Presenter: Paul Bassett

The Patrons of Wolverhampton Horticultural Society 1850
A look at some of the important key figures (the Movers and Shakers) of Wolverhampton society in the early Victorian period, and how the Horticultural Society was the group to join and the place to be seen

Friday 10th April 2026                  Presenter: Jane James

Bantock House and its Family
When Thomas Bantock moved from Scotland to Wolverhampton in the mid 19th century he soon became a prominent local figure. Why did he come here and what contribution did he and his family make to the life of the town? Learn about the lives of the Bantocks, both public and private, as well as their lasting gift to Wolverhampton - Bantock House and Park.

NOTE: This presentation is the SECOND Friday of April due to Good Friday being the first Friday of the month

Friday 1st May 2026        Presenter: Joanna Terry – Head of Archives Services, Staffordshire

‘Staffordshire’s Designated Archives: Jewels from our collections’
This talk covers the origins of the archive service, key collections it holds including records of local authorities, quarter sessions and prisons, asylums, parish and diocesan, non-conformist and Catholics, family and estates and political papers, with examples relating to Wolverhampton. It will also refer to the William Salt Library and key County Museum collections and websites.

Friday 5th June 2026                 Presenter: Ned Williams

Who Photographed Wolverhampton's Railways?
A look at photographs of Wolverhampton’s railways, the context in which they were taken and the photographers who took them.

Friday 3rd July 2026                  Presenter: Quintin Watt

An Underwhelming Response? Wolverhampton and the Great War
This presentation deals with the town’s experience of the war on both the home and battle fronts. It includes reference to recruitment, munitions production, Zeppelin raids, war heroes and the local campaign to plant avenues of trees as living war memorials. It also tries to explain why Wulfrunians apparently took little pride in their actions during the war.

August 2026 - No Meeting

Dates of meetings later in 2026:

4th September

2nd October (AGM)

6th November

4th December

Note:

There is the possibility that meeting presentations could be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Advance notice will be given whenever possible in newsletters, on the website, and on our Facebook page.