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balhnews.bsky.social
British Association for Local History
@balhnews.bsky.social
3.6K followers 2.1K following 170 posts
The British Association for Local History is the national charity which promotes local history and serving local historians throughout the UK #WeAreLocalHistory
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balhnews.bsky.social
Join us next week for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
1920s posed railway staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a carriage, but his head is about to hit a signal post. The caption reads ‘Heads – you lose! Is it safe to lean out of or open the doors of vehicles in motion where there are pillars, ladders, walls or bridges, unless you are satisfied there is sufficient clearance?’
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: In one of our latest blogs, John Bradbeer shares some of the mazing sources you can use for local maritime histories.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-not-los...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
The invocation of the Kathleen and May, which is a wooden plaque with "God Protect the Kathleen and May" painted on it.
December 3, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
yorkfhs.bsky.social
Our talk this month is ‘Christmas at Home’ from the Yorkshire Dialect Society. December 3rd 7:30 at the Quaker Hall New Earswick. Mince pies optional extra! @federationfhs.bsky.social @balhnews.bsky.social @clemhallhistory.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
balhnews.bsky.social
On #ThoughtfulTuesday, remember to talk to people. Speak to local communities to learn more about the local area to find out how the area has changed and what stories have been passed down.

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Blue background with white text promoting Thoughtful Tuesday by the British Association for Local History encouraging people to talk to others.
December 2, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨TWO WEEKS TO GO!🚨

Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!

‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online

#LocalHistory #Railway200

www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Posed staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a guard's van, about to hit his head on a passing signal post. The image caption reads 'Heads - you lose!', with explanatory text above.
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
insidecroydon.bsky.social
Oh yes she is! Victorian dancer who became a pantomime star insidecroydon.com/2025/11/30/o... #Croydon #CroydonChronicles @balhnews.bsky.social
Oh yes she is! Victorian dancer who became a pantomime star
CROYDON CHRONICLES: One of the great British traditions of this time of year is the family visit to the theatre, or to a church hall for the local am-dram performance, during pantomime season. DAVI…
insidecroydon.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
localhistoryhub.bsky.social
We’re pleased to share that Local History Hub is featured in the latest Local History News from @balhnews.bsky.social

Read the piece here:
www.balh.org.uk/publication-...

More updates coming soon as we prepare the next wave of hubs for 2026.
Local History News Number 157 November 2025 | | Local History News | British Association For Local History
www.balh.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:53 PM
balhnews.bsky.social
Look at how festive charity shaped the Christmas experience for Hampshire's poor at a virtual event on 10 December.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-c...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
A black and white image of women putting up a Christmas tree.
November 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
jackiedepelle.bsky.social
Booking open for #GuildOneName February 2026 Waterways to Railways in #Peterborough one-name.org/seminar-even... Good speakers include Mike Esbester @rwldproject.bsky.social #GuildOccupations @balhnews.bsky.social @federationfhs.bsky.social @oneplacestudies.bsky.social
Seminar events
one-name.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: In one of our new episodes of #LocalHistoryMatters, Tim Hamilton talks about his work with the Black Country Living History Museum.

Listen to all episodes: www.balh.org.uk/podcast

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
On a dark blue background in white writing appear the words "local history matters."
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
On #ThoughtfulTuesday, consider going digital. Many archives and records are available online, so make sure to look at some of the digitised documents in your research. Many local libraries have subscriptions for genealogical websites too!

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Blue background with white text promoting Thoughtful Tuesday by the British Association for Local History encouraging digital engagement.
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
joesaunders1.bsky.social
Do come along to listen to Dr Mike Esbester of the Railway Work, Life & Death project giving our BALH annual Dymond Lecture. #LocalHistory 🗃️
balhnews.bsky.social British Association for Local History @balhnews.bsky.social · 14d
#ICYMI: Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
1920s posed railway staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a carriage, but his head is about to hit a signal post. The caption reads ‘Heads – you lose! Is it safe to lean out of or open the doors of vehicles in motion where there are pillars, ladders, walls or bridges, unless you are satisfied there is sufficient clearance?’
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
clemhallhistory.bsky.social
We've got a new free walk leaflet about #York "A historic walk around Micklegate", details on our website at www.clementshallhistorygroup.org.uk/blog/new-mic... @balhnews.bsky.social @yorkfhs.bsky.social
Cover of our Micklegate walk leaflet with view of map
November 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
In one of our latest blogs, Dr Sarah Rose of the Victoria County History reflects on the publication of the first VCH volume to cover Cumbria - it's also the 250th in the "Big Red Book" series!

Learn more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-bringin...

#WeAreLocalHistory

@vch-home.bsky.social
A map of Westmorland
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
1920s posed railway staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a carriage, but his head is about to hit a signal post. The caption reads ‘Heads – you lose! Is it safe to lean out of or open the doors of vehicles in motion where there are pillars, ladders, walls or bridges, unless you are satisfied there is sufficient clearance?’
November 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
In one of our latest blogs, John Bradbeer shares some amazing resources that you can use to research local maritime histories.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-not-los...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
The invocation in Kathleen and May's cabin, which is a wooden plaque with "God Protect the Kathleen & May" painted on it.
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
Join us tonight to hear from a master stonemason share an illuminating journey through Britain's medieval churches.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-c...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Person in red jacket working on a weathered stone gargoyle mounted on a building ledge.
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
insidecroydon.bsky.social
The heretic bishop who recanted to avoid burning at the stake insidecroydon.com/2025/11/16/t... #Croydon #Heretic #History @balhnews.bsky.social
The heretic bishop who recanted to avoid burning at the stake
SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT: Reginald Peacock was consecrated as a bishop in a service conducted in the Archbishop’s palace in Croydon, but had to survive a show trial and ritual humiliation on the str…
insidecroydon.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
Join us tomorrow to hear from a master stonemason share an illuminating journey through Britain's medieval churches.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-c...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Person in red jacket working on a large stone gargoyle mounted on a building ledge using a ladder.
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: Find out more about Hampshire's Railway workers by joining a virtual event on 19 November 2025! Speakers include this our 2025 Dymond Lecture presenter, Dr Mike Esbester.

Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-f...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Finding Hampshire's Railway Workers | Forthcoming Local History Events | British Association For Local History
Forthcoming Local History Events    Finding Hampshire's Railway Workers
www.balh.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our annual Dymond Lecture. This year, Dr Mike Esbester explores the hidden human stories behind Britain's Reailways.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
1920s posed railway staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a carriage, but his head is about to hit a signal post. The caption reads ‘Heads – you lose! Is it safe to lean out of or open the doors of vehicles in motion where there are pillars, ladders, walls or bridges, unless you are satisfied there is sufficient clearance?’
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨ONE MONTH'S TIME!🚨

Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!

‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online

#LocalHistory #Railway200

www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Posed staff safety image, showing a railwayman leaning out of a guard's van, about to hit his head on a passing signal post. The image caption reads 'Heads - you lose!', with explanatory text above.
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: In one of our latest blogs, Dr Susan Major shares a history of recycling, ingenuity and urban change by considering the history of scoria bricks found in York's back alleys.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-scoria-...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
The double hexagon scoria bricks in back alleys found in South Bank, York
November 12, 2025 at 7:01 AM
balhnews.bsky.social
#ICYMI: In one of our latest blogs, Jacky Cooper shares the ways in which Nazeing History Workshop has shared the wartime history of the village.

Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/blog-nazeing...

#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
In this black and white image, villagers sit around the crater from the first bomb to land in Nazeing on 26 July 1940.
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by British Association for Local History
grahampalmer.bsky.social
In East Anglia Bylines this week I track down Toby, the Victorian ‘watchdog’ whose bark would land its owner in prison... eastangliabylines.co.uk/lifestyle/hi... @balhnews.bsky.social @historyworkshop.org.uk @britishlibrary.bsky.social @thebhp.bsky.social @bho.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM