We have been holding history courses in Stanford Bridge, West Worcestershire, for over 20 years. Initially organised by the University of Birmingham as an ‘outreach’ programme; when this came to come to an end many participants were determined to continue, having discovered or rediscovered their love of history.
So the Stanford History Group was born and has been running history courses every autumn since 2013, with increasing support and attendance. We meet for two hours on a Monday evening at 7.30 pm, for 10 meetings running from early October to mid-December. We average 45 to 60 hardy souls who come to our lectures in Upper Sapey Village Hall, WR6 6EU, just up the road from Stanford Bridge where we started. Entrance fees are set at £10 per individual lecture or £60 for the full course and include refreshments.
We also endeavour to run a Spring cultural programme each year, between January and February. Topics are more eclectic than the Autumn programme. The Spring programme is usually five lectures, at a cost of £10 per lecture or £30 for the session.
Each year we discuss what subjects might be of particular interest for the next course and then seek to source good lecturers to deliver them. The ‘past programmes’ page shows some of the recent lecture series. We often have 4-5 different themes, with 2-3 lectures on each. We are grateful for the support we receive from often eminent University lecturers from surrounding Universities- a number coming from The University of Birmingham and the University of Worcester.
All the lectures are presented most professionally, with accompanying slides etc. The lectures are however informal, with questions taken throughout and at the end, usually with a good discussion/debate. The group prides itself in being very friendly, with newcomers and visitors warmly welcomed.
Lecturers recommend ‘readable’ books to accompany their lectures which the group buys at the beginning of the course. These are made available for a week’s loan to anyone, for them to further their interest in the subject and decide whether to buy the book- or bid for it when we auction the books at the end of the term.
In addition to the lecture course, the club also organises a coach field trip each spring related to the previous course, as well as a longer (two night) away trip. Recent trips have included visits to London, Oxford and Liverpool to visit relevant museums and interesting galleries together.
Stanford History Group has an organising committee, which arranges the courses and visits, and always welcomes additional help!
Our committee
- Simon Marriott
- Karon Jamous
- Rosemary Smart
- Alan Stuttart
- Simon Neary
- David Kirrage
Stanford Bridge History Group 