The Penistone History Group
The Penistone History Group have been holding regular meetings and presentations since 1986.
The talks are interesting, informative and most all, enjoyable. They cover old, local and modern history plus some by sessions by collectors and enthusiasts, many with local connections. Most are supported by a video screen presentation.
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month except August.
We have to make a small charge to cover expenses (hire of room, cost of speakers etc). Our current charges are:
Annual Subscription: £12.00
Single Meeting — Members: £3
Single Meeting — Visitors: £4
Includes refreshments.
Entry / registration: 1.45pm | Meetings start: 2.00pm
If you would like to join or would like more information please use the form on the contact page or call in either on the Wednesday or the regular Thursday Archive session. Unfortunately we are not currently able to provide a contact phone number.
The programme for 2026 and the remainder of 2025 can be seen in the tables below. You can also download PDF copies to your device:
Please note that the Penistone History Group from 3 September 2025 will be permanently based back at the Community Centre.
Location
St John’s Community Centre,
Church Street,
Penistone,
Sheffield,
S36 6AR.
Penistone History Archive
History Group Programme 2025 (Oct - Dec Only)
| Date | Subject | Info | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2025 | Unmentionable Foundations Part 2 | This is a return visit for Janet and this time she is talking about the history of ladies’ undergarments. Bras, stays, bustles and crinolines, all are included. It promises to be a laugh! | Janet Stain |
| 15 October 2025 | Wentworth Woodhouse | An insight of the people who lived and worked there. | David Allot |
| 5 November 2025 | The Gunpowder Plot | Eric will tell us about the events on this famous date in history and its consequences. | Eric Jackson |
| 19 November 2025 | January 1916 The Night the Zeppelins Came | On the 31st January, one of the largest Zeppelin fleets raided Britain. Losing their way, they wandered over the Midlands causing death and destruction. | Stephen Flinders |
| 3 December 2025 | Traditional Christmas | Bob will recount to us the story of how things we do at Christmas came about and why. | Bob Massey |
History Group Programme 2026
| Date | Subject | Info | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 January 2026 | An Exploration of George Orwell’s Time in Barnsley. | In 1936, the writer spent time in Barnsley and this is recounted, using extracts from his diaries and his novel ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’. | Edana Guest |
| 4th February 2026 | Always A Little Further. | This presentation about the Falklands War focuses on the role of the 45 Commando Royal Marines during the conflict. | Chris Tapster |
| 18 February 2026 | Sheffield - City of Sanctuary. | This is a talk about people from all over the world who, over the last 300 years have made Sheffield their home. This includes the reasons for that and how the city has supported migrants and refugees. | Tim Mulroy |
| 4 March 2026 | The Oberammergau Passion Play. | This play is the most famous and longest running event on the calendar. The origins, the turbulent history and modern revisions of it will be explored whilst looking forward to the next production in 2030 and the 400th anniversary in 2034. | David Kershaw. |
| 18 March 2026 | Tellin’ T’ Tale! | Rod recites Yorkshire dialect poems and tales whilst including background information about the Yorkshire Dialect Society. | Rod Dimbleby |
| 1 April 2026 | The Development of Wortley Top Forge site over 400 years. | Wortley Top Forge is the oldest surviving water driven heavy iron forge which has recently been restored by volunteers. The talk follows the history of the site from its earliest days to the present. | Jan Brown |
| 15 April 2026 | The Silk Road. | The Silk Road is one of the oldest trading routes in the world and connects China to Western Asia. This is the story of this road and the beautiful architecture along its route. | Jane Ashby |
| 6 May 2026 | The Mille Miglia Road Race. | This talk encompasses the career of Sir Stirling Moss and his record-breaking win of the Mille Miglia road race in 1955 in Italy. There will also be a mock ‘auction’ where our members will be able to bid for a classic car! | Martin Rigney |
| 20 May 2026 | Herbert Ponting. | Herbert Ponting was a photographer, film maker, war correspondent and explorer who went to the Antarctic with Captain Robert Falcon Scott. | Bob Massey |
| 3 June 2026 | Ernest Wright - Hand-made Scissors in Sheffield. | This talk covers the background and history of Ernest Wright, Sheffield’s renowned scissor maker, the evolution of manufacturing practices and the enduring joy found in the making of scissors today. | Jonathon Reid |
| 17 June 2026 | Ceramic Restoration. | A light hearted and informative talk by a Potter and Ceramic Restorer of all types of ceramics. The speaker explains the history of ceramic restoration which started many centuries ago and the methods used in restoration including examples of her work, the tools, materials and pots used. | Geraldine Hughes. |
| 1 July 2026 | Unknown Nepal. | Jude who has travelled and volunteered in Nepal will talk about her time as a volunteer working in poor communities and schools in a remote area far away from the tourist trail. | Jude Warrender |
| 15 July 2026 | Rogues and Vagabonds. | The Elizabethan Theatre. Lizzie takes us on a visit to the Elizabethan theatre scene, an innovation at the time with some of the greatest playwrights, colourful actors and aristocratic patrons, but not welcome to everybody. | Lizzie Jones |
| 2 Sept 2026 | I’ll Polish Him Off! | The Curious History of Sweeney Todd. Pies and cannibalism, barbering and butchering, stage plays and films, myths and truths. Why is the story of this 1800’s murderer so fascinating? Ann explores. | Ann Featherstone |
| 16 September 2026 | The History and Heritage of Tinsley Sheffield Canal. | Following the speakers’ extensive research their presentation explains the long delay in the canal’s construction, why its heyday was so short lived and the eventual demise of the industry along its length. All supported by photographs of the amazing buildings and infrastructure. | Alan Dulcamara and Kevin Turner |
| 7 Oct 2026 | When the Oaks Fired: Britain’s Worst Mining Disaster 1866. | In December 1866 Barnsley witnessed the worst mining disaster in English history, killing nearly 400 men and boys in a series of underground explosions. Stephen a local historian will present the story of the disaster, its impact and legacy. | Stephen Miller |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Physicians and Pharmacists - A Healthy Alliance? | Dr Stephenson’s talk will examine their history and give an animated overview of the history of the evolution of these two ancient arts, discussing the many ups and downs in their relationship. | Dr Jenny Stephenson |
| 4 Nov 2026 | What’s Up With Ewe? | 2000 yrs of English Sheep’s Milk Cheese. Cheese made with sheep’s milk was once produced in England, now you will pay a premium for an artisan product. The talk charts the rise and fall of English sheep’s milk cheese against farming and the wider economy from Roman Empire to the present day. | Mark Dawson |
| 18 Nov 2026 | The Maybrick Murder - A Jack the Ripper Suspect. | Alan an aficionado of The Whitechapel Murders of 1888, is back to talk to us but this time will concentrate on James Maybrick and the story behind his strange life and death. | Alan Hancock |
| 2 Dec 2026 | How The Tudors Celebrated Christmas. | Tudor Christmases involved heaps of fun and ribaldry, but also had a huge element of friendship and commitment to family. Most of all though was the religious meaning as society at that time was deeply affected by religion and various foreign influences. | Maureen Taylor |