THE LATEST talk in Redditch History Society’s annual programme takes place this Monday, July 13, and focuses on the town’s needle making past.
Speaker Dr Richard Churchley will be discussing the Needle District on which his doctoral thesis was based.
Richard’s knowledge of the history of the locality encompasses the industry’s occupations, buildings, social life and the reality of living in sometimes unregulated and harsh times.
As in the rest of England, the area experienced changes as it shifted from a rural to an increasingly industrialised society.
This illustrated presentation concentrates on rural crime as well as how the consequent unrest brought about by change and by class conflict was evident and how it was dealt with up until the mid-19th century.
Audience members will learn how miscreants were kept in line before there was a police force and how local people made their voices heard when most adults did not have the vote.
Richard will explain the contentious issues which annoyed the likes of Captain Swing, the Luddites and the Chartists.
Using local examples of riots around Redditch, he will tell us of the different attitudes towards law enforcement and protest in the past.
As ever, his talk promises to be enlightening, interesting and historically accurate.
The Redditch History Society meets from 2pm to 4pm on the second Monday of every month at Oasis Christian Centre on Plymouth Road.
Non-members are always welcome for a £4 admission fee and refreshments are available after the talk for just 50p per person.
Further details of the 2026 season can be found at: redditchhistorysociety.org.uk or on the leaflet available from Redditch Library and The Palace Theatre.
