History group

Monday 6 th October 2025 – My Family and Other Irises – by Lucy Skellorn

Lucy will talk about her Great, great grandfather, Sir Michael Foster, an eminent physiologist and binomial author of many iris species. She will then fast forward to her own involvement with the project to restore the gardens at Benton End, the home of Cedric Morris.

Monday 3 rd November 2025 – A History of Bildeston in 13 Objects by Sue Andrews

Sue Andrews is a renowned local historian writing and publishing ‘The Hadleigh Historian’ and ‘Tales from Suffolk’s Brett Valley’. Sue moved to Bildeston in 1968, so she is uniquely positioned to talk about its history using a number of local items including an old village sign, a seal, a map, a memorial and many more.

Monday 1 st December 2025 – The mystery of Gestingthorpe Villa and Roman East Anglia by Ashley Cooper

Discovered in the 1940’s, Gesthingthorpe Roman Villa still has a number of unsolved mysteries. Basing his talk on the villa and the craftmen’s settlement around it, Ashley also places it in the wider context of Roman East Anglia. Ashley is the author of six local history books including ‘The Long Furrow’ and ‘Our Mother Earth’ whilst also being involved with numerous other local history and archaeological societies and projects.

Monday 5 th January 2026 – ‘From Bondage to Freedom’ The Decline of Serfdom in Medieval England by Professor Mark Bailey

The ever-popular Mark Bailey returns to our group to give a talk on his book of the same name. Mark applies a new methodology for establishing the chronology and causes to thousands of court rolls from 38 manors from the Midlands and East Anglia. It presents a ground-breaking reassessment, challenging many of the traditional interpretations of the economy and society of late-medieval England.

Monday 2 nd February 2026 – Cardinal Wolsey – by Dr Phil Roberts

Thomas Wolsey, Ipswich’s Greatest Son was England’s leading Statesman, Churchman and Patron of the Arts in the service of King Henry VIII for over fourteen years. Wolsey had extraordinary diplomatic and administration skills helping him to fulfil governmental roles. Phil, a lecturer for the Mary Rose Trust since 2002 has written a book titled ‘Cardinal Wolsey – For King and Country’ and brings his own insight into this extraordinary man.

Monday 2 nd March 2026 – Royal Connections – by Jennifer Antill

Many people know that the British and Russian Royal families were closely connected by marriage, but the relationship goes back much further. Stretching back to Ivan the Terrible and Elizabeth I and to Nicholas II and George V, Jenny will give a lively and beautifully illustrated talk. Jenny has a degree in Russian Studies and is a published author.

All meetings start at 7.30pm, at Monks Eleigh Village Hall. Annual membership is £10.00, £3.00 for admission to a single meeting. For more information contact Jan Kelsall (07855 035896) or David Mills (01449 744918)