Welcome to the Ilkeston and District Local History Society (IDLHS)

Meetings and events

Who we are and what we do

About Us

Welcome to the Ilkeston and District Local History Society (IDLHS) website. If you are a new visitor, please find time to browse through the pages. The site features information on the history of Ilkeston and district and you can find more about the Society on the About the IDLHS page.

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Membership

Why not join? Membership would bring you several benefits. All members receive the Society’s magazine, The Herald several times a year and can attend all our indoor speaker meetings, outside visits and walks free of charge (excluding external entry fees and transport costs). It’s only £12 yearly each or £18 for a couple at the same address (2025).

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Contact Us

Ilkeston and District Local History Society are pleased to help with any general enquiries that visitors to the site may have. We cannot undertake any genealogical or large scale research on your behalf, but we will at least do our best to answer any questions. 

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News & Stories

Kirk Hallam

Kirk Hallam

by Beverley Kilby Widening the Nutbrook Canal Bridge, 1950's - looking towards Spondon, St Norbert Drive / Godfrey...

Cossall

Cossall

Just east of Ilkeston is the village of Cossall which, like Trowell, was once part of Lord Middleton's...

Trowell

Trowell

Just over the border into Nottinghamshire is the village of Trowell, which is probably most famous for being the...

Shipley

Shipley

An area known for its coal, theme park and now a country park, Shipley has a very varied history. Shipley Hall, around...

West Hallam

West Hallam

The Village in the 1920s Although it is not known exactly when the first settlement appeared, West Hallam is mentioned...

Death of a Crimean War veteran

Death of a Crimean War veteran

William Clements (1824-1909), Extracted from the Ilkeston Pioneer, 30 April 1909 "The small remaining band of Crimean...

Wartime childhood memories

Wartime childhood memories

by David Kirk As I was born in December 1937, my memories of this conflict are limited but I have tried to give some...

The first Lord Ilkeston

The first Lord Ilkeston

Sir Balthazar Walter Foster PC FRCP was born to Balthazar Foster and his wife Marian on 17th July 1840. In 1847 the...

The remarkable Short Brothers

The remarkable Short Brothers

(a longer read) by Danny Corns Many years ago, former Society Chairman David Harrison told me of a connection between...

Publications

The Society sells a variety of publications both by the IDLHS and by others. These can be purchased directly from the Society by post. 

Prices shown include postage and packing but only relate to UK postage rates. For overseas orders or other enquiries relating to these publications please contact the Secretary at the address below. Please note that postage rates can change, so the Society reserves the right to amend prices without prior notice. 

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