2025 Programme

Feb 19th - Judith Rout, Chair of Welland Valley Cycling Club.

Judith will be speaking about the history of the Eleanor Crosses, and how they are celebrated now through the annual Queen Eleanor charity cycle ride, which is organised by the Friends of the Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
The 200-mile route from Lincoln to London passes through Geddington & Hardingstone, and links the locations of the 12 Queen Eleanor Crosses, which Edward 1 built in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile, after she died in Harby in 1290.

Mar 19th - Roger Cooper - Leicester; Space Capital of Britain?

 Leicester can claim to be the UK’s Space City and Roger will be speaking about how Leicester has been one of the most active centres for space research for more than 60 years.
Thanks to physicists and space researchers at the University of Leicester, a Leicester-built instrument has been operating in space every year since 1967.

Apr 16th - Roy Palmer – Chelsea Pensioner & Poet

Roy will be sharing his unique story, shaped by his military service and life experiences, and his life now at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Roy is also the Hospital’s first Herald. Roy has been writing verse for much of his life and was chosen to pen the official poem for D-DAY 80, last year.

May 21st - Michael Milsom – Rockets over Harborough

Michael will be talking about the When, Why, How and the later uses of
the Thor Rocket.
Thor missiles were the first operational Intermediate-range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) system deployed by the West during the Cold War. The Harrington WW11 site became operational with 3 Thor launch pads at the end of 1959, and was mothballed in ‘63.

Jun 18th - Peter James - Motorsport

Peter will be sharing some more of his stories from his involvement with Motor Racing in the UK and abroad.
Northamptonshire is the UK's Motorsport Heartland and is host to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the British MotoGP, Touring Car Racing and Top Fuel Drag Racing.
Brixworth is home to the Mercedes AMG team, where the design and development of all of their Formula One engines has been carried out since 1995.

July 16th - Martin James – Our Rights of Way

Martin is Area Footpaths Secretary with Leic & Rutland Ramblers and will be giving us a brief history of rights of way and looking at national and local footpaths. We have 3 National long distance paths on our doorstep plus the 500 mile National cycle route Number 6, which runs right through the town.

August - break

Monthly events are advertised online on Harborough Mail and HFM. They are also announced verbally on HFM Radio. Further details can also be found on the Society Website & Facebook page, plus the monthly membership notifications.
Please feel free to invite friends & neighbours to any of the meetings, admission for guests is just £3 including tea/coffee.