As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, several regular speakers from the past have been invited back to contribute to the society’s 2012 programme. Roy Peacock, who first talked to the group in 1988 and who has made more presentations than anyone, began the series with a talk on ‘The Creation of the Foley Barony of Kidderminster’ at the February meeting.

Making his 15th appearance, and using neither notes nor illustrations, Roy took the audience on a fascinating journey from Richard Foley in 1580 to the creation of the first Lord Foley in 1712. This was a time of a banking crisis, increasing national debt, a coalition government and an on-going war: all this had a familiar ring!

The Foleys made their fortune through the iron trade, by making some good marriages and by supplying cannon in the Civil War and numerous subsequent conflicts. Roy talked about three generations of parliamentary activities, the reasons why Queen Anne created Thomas III a peer and his ultimate fall from grace under George I. This was a fascinating talk that included connections to Witley Court and Old Swinford Hospital School but which ended all too soon.

At the meeting on Tuesday, March 5, Richard Perrin will be talking about ‘Bewdley, a Riverside Town’. Visitors are always welcome.

For more details, see the website at hhfs.org.uk