Check this page for changes or additions to our programme throughout the year

About the Group

East Keswick Local History Group was formed in 2001.  In addition to our regular meetings we hope to publish the results of further research and we are building up an archive of local source material.

Who can join?

You don’t have to be actively involved in researching local history. If you have an interest in the history of East Keswick and the surrounding area you should find our programme interesting. For an annual subscription (currently £10) members will receive a newsletter, and entrance to most meetings will be free.  Non members pay a small fee at each meeting.

Contact Liz Parr, secretary, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Members - want to join the Committee or become more involved in the Group?

If you are interested in joining the Committee or becoming more involved in the Group, please contact Liz Parr.

2012 Meetings

Meetings are at 8pm in the Verity Room in East Keswick Village Hall, unless otherwise stated.

Thursday 2nd February: A talk by Malcolm Barnes on "A decade of unusual discoveries by Boston Spa Archaeology and Heritage Group".

Thursday 29th March: "1000 years of East Keswick History: a talk by Liz Parr

Thursday 24th May: A history of Kilnsey: a talk by Sonia Wilkinson

Thursday 27th September: Annual General Meeting - more details to follow

Thursday 8th November: details to follow

Thursday 13th December: Christmas Meeting - more details to follow

Check this webpage for future plans and dates and details of 2012 summer visits.

If you want to do some research

Several of our members are interested in the historic landscape and a small group have been involved in field walking. There are also untapped sources relating to the 19th century social history of the village.  If you are interested in these or any other topics contact the secretary.

East Keswick Local History Archive

We are obtaining copies of documents from local and national record offices including parish registers, census material, rentals and surveys. (For full details of the records we hold contact the email address below). We also have maps, aerial photographs and accounts of days gone by from older residents. Some of our material, including books on the history of the surrounding area, can be borrowed by local members. We are always interested to hear from anyone who might be able to add to our collection or anyone who can send us information, (e.g. old photographs, or deeds of houses and land).

Ongoing activities

The discovery of a 19th C manuscript in the vestry has proved a very interesting resource. It includes a local census dated 1816 as well as boundary surveys and other records relating to the years before and after the enclosure awards of 1801.  A preliminary survey of the landscape of Ox Close has revealed a pattern of terraces which warrant further investigation and as part of our interest in the development of our rural landscape we are considering a survey of some of our older buildings.

Lady Elizabeth Hastings Book

A very informative study of the life of Lady Elizabeth Hastings, the well known 18th century local benefactor, has been written by Dr Sylvia Pinkney, based on a talk to she gave in 2010 to the East Keswick Local History Group.  The book runs to 49 pages and is available from Liz Parr, Secretary of the Group, price £2.50.

East Keswick Millennium Book

Our group was set up as a result of work done to produce The East Keswick Millennium Book  (ed. A Batty) in 2000.  All copies have now been sold but are available in local libraries and might be found second hand.

Heritage Trail

A colour brochure describing two routes around the village was published in September 2004. This project, designed to increase enjoyment and awareness of our rural heritage, was supported by the Countryside Agency and includes two information boards within the village.  Copies of the brochure can be obtained from Andy Batty, 6 Keswick Grange, East Keswick LS17 9BX and the village shop.

Contact details

Liz Parr, secretary, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it