Programme
Magical House Protection – The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft
May 15, 2026 – Brian Hoggard
Brian will be talking about material evidence of witchcraft beliefs that has been discovered in the fabric of buildings throughout the British Isles and far beyond. This is the story of those strange charms that are often found in old houses. This talk will be delivered at Eld Hall, venue information is available at the bottom of the page.
George Marshall Museum
May 29, 2026 (Tour at 10:30 am – Ends between 11:30-12:30 pm)
George Marshall Medical Museum is a small but mighty medical museum in Worcester, exhibiting the original collection of Mr George Marshall, a former GP and later Consultant Surgeon of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary.
Wells
August 26, 2026 (Arrival Departure 9:15 am – Return Departure 4 pm)
Wells, a small cathedral city known for its cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Adjoining the cathedral is Vicars’ Close, the only complete medieval street left in England, and nearby is the Wells Museum, founded in 1893 with a collection of local artefacts and Victorian-era displays. The visit falls on market day, so the historic Market Place will be busy with its regular produce and farmers’ market stalls, alongside shops, cafes and restaurants along the High Street, Broad Street, Queen Street and Market Place.
Little Malvern Priory: Altered Spaces and Surviving Traces
September 25, 2026 – Natalie Merricks
Natalie is an architectural historian based in Worcestershire. She holds an MSt in Building History from the University of Cambridge and is a DPhil researcher in History at the University of Oxford. The talk explores the medieval church of Little Malvern Priory through the evidence preserved in its fabric, looking at how architectural features that have long been overlooked can reveal new insights into the building and the people who used it.
Stourbridge Glassmakers, their History and Legacy
October 16, 2026 – Dr Kate Round
Kate is an outreach presenter and tour guide for Dudley Museum Service. In her previous life, she was a research chemist so understands the chemistry of glass having worked on the synthesis of ‘zeolites’ (silica-based materials) with her work published in International Journals. She has always lived in the Black Country and has a strong industrial family heritage.
The Spire of St Andrew’s Church, Worcester, ‘The Glover’s Needle’: its History, Construction and Repairs
November 13, 2026 – David Simons
When Chief Surveyor for Worcester City Council, David was responsible for the ‘Glover’s Needle’, which is all that remains of the former St. Andrew’s church, the rest of it being demolished in the 1940s. It dates from the mid-18th century, being built to replace a previous spire destroyed in a heavy storm and is named after the city’s famous glove-making industry. David will explain how the future stability of the slender spire was ensured by the installation of a lengthy, tensioned, stainless steel rod within the spire to secure the top directly to the tower below.
The Black Country in the Industrial Revolution
December 11, 2026 – Dr Malcom Dick OBE
Malcolm was born in Lichfield and lives in Rowley Regis. He has been Chairman of the Black Country Society since 2020 and was previously a trustee of the Black Country Living Museum. Malcolm is Honorary Associate Professor in Regional and Local History and formerly Director of the Centre for West Midlands History at the University of Birmingham.
Time
All programme speaker events will start at 7:30 pm unless a different time is listed.
Venue
All in-person programme events will be delivered in the Eld Hall at RGS Worcester (unless specified). The venue is accessible from the gate on Little London. We have use of the car park opposite the entrance. The access code to the entrance gate and car park barrier will be sent via email preceding the event date. If you have any queries or access issues, please email [email protected]
Online events
The society will deliver some events online via Zoom. The meeting link will be emailed to you in advance. This is great way to engage with us if you struggle to join our in-person events.
Charges
All events are free for members. Guests may attend at £2 per person, please pay by cash on the night or bank transfer.