Welcome to the Ilkeston and District Local History Society (IDLHS)
Meetings and events
Inn signs and Local History
Inn signs and Local History
with Robert Mee. How your favourite pub got its name and how that changed over time. Free to members, guests welcome at £3.
The BBC and the Bomb
The BBC and the Bomb
with Ian Betson. Cold War Broadcasting from the Bunkers – a look at the Cold War preparations for the Third World War. Free to members, £3 for guests.
Derbyshire Well Dressings
Derbyshire Well Dressings
by Janet and Paul Barrass. The history and practice of this old tradition. Free to members, guests £3.
Bennerley Viaduct – latest developments
Bennerley Viaduct – latest developments
The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct bring us up to date – Free to members and £3 to visitors Preceded by the Society’s AGM, which ought not to take more than
Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
Sarah Moody of the CWGC talks about the records they hold and the stories they can tell us. Free to members, guests welcome at £3.
Trowell through Time
Trowell through Time
A history of our neighbouring parish – with Beverley Kilby
The Sand between your Toes
The Sand between your Toes
A nostalgic look at the holiday, with Ann Featherstone
“My Mum had one of Those!”
“My Mum had one of Those!”
Janet and Paul Barrass explore the world of familiar domestic objects of the past
The Old Curiosity Boxes
The Old Curiosity Boxes
An interactive experience… what’s in the box?
“I’ll Polish Him Off!” The curious history of Sweeney Todd
“I’ll Polish Him Off!” The curious history of Sweeney Todd
By Ann Featherstone
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.
Find out more about IDLHS
Contact Us
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).
Find out more here
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.
Contact Us
News & Stories
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Bits and Bobs… An Ilson Miscellany
If you don’t have access to Facebook you won’t be aware of the large number of posts on various topics which appeared...
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.
Find out more by clicking here