Wells Local History Group

‘Researching the history of your house’ – Sheree Leeds
2025-12-03 14:30 (Europe/London)
Sheree Leeds is a retired archivist and member of the Bracondale Residents’ Association. Bracondale embraces one of the oldest entrances into the city of Norwich and has a wealth of historic houses. It abuts County Hall and the Norfolk Record Office where many records of these properties are held.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Jem Mace – ‘Norfolk’s Champion of the World 1870’ – Dale Wiseman
2026-02-04 14:30 - 17:00
February 4th @ 2.30pmJem Mace – ‘Norfolk’s Champion of the World 1870’ – Dale WisemanAuthor and social historian, Dale Wiseman BA, returns to the Maltings to present the life story of Jem Mace, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and his links not just to Norfolk but Wells’ Green Dragon public house, which stood on the High Street, before it was demolished c.1865.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Felbrigg Hall – Margaret Younger
2026-03-04 14:30
Margaret Younger is a member of the National Trust House Team at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk, and has kindly agreed to bring the stories of the Hall to us at Wells. Margaret’s talk will cover the history of house and its parkland, which is located south of the Cromer to Holt road, and includes stories about the more interesting people who lived there.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Medieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt Champion
2026-04-01 14:30
April 1st @ 2.30pmMedieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt ChampionOf all the types of early graffiti to be found in medieval churches, the one that has probably received the most attention is that known as ship graffiti. Across the walls and pillars of churches, cathedrals and chapels images of medieval and later ships sail in a never ending journey across the stonework.Why are they there? What do they signify? Do they commemorate a hazardous sea voyage or represent a real ship; a long since lost vessel that carried simple souls to view the wonders of far off lands?This talk examines the possible reasons behind the creation of these ship graffiti images, using hundreds of examples recorded across the UK – many of which have never previously been seen before. It will showcase some of the finest ship graffiti sites, and some of the best preserved examples of ship graffiti so far discovered in the country.Matthew J. Champion is an award winning freelance archaeologist and historian, and is widely recognised as one of England’s leading experts on historical graffiti inscriptions and applied markings. He has worked extensively with organisations such as English Heritage, the Churches Conservation Trust and the National Trust, and is currently Project Director of the award winning Norfolk and Suffolk Medieval Graffiti Survey, and National Advisor on early inscriptions to a number of heritage organisations. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and his latest full-length work, Medieval Graffiti: the Lost Voices of England’s Churches, was published by Penguin in 2015.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN

Gordon Parker and the company Favor Parker Ltd. – Jim McNeill
2026-05-06 14:30
Favor Parker is a historic company, not just with deep ties to Stoke Ferry but also to Wells’ iconic granary building, which had been constructed by F. & G. Smith Ltd at the beginning of the 20th century. It is not that long since the granary was a hive of activity as bulk meal and raw materials were discharged by its new residentsWe welcome back, Jim McNeill, chair of the Stoke Ferry & District History Group, to talk about the Favor Parker operations, profiling Gordon Parker, the company’s principle driving force.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.

Venue – Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AN
