Welcome
…to the Betley Local History Society’s website.
In addition to the information here we organise regular monthly meetings, usually on the third Thursday of each month (except December). They’re held at the Methodist Chapel, The Butts, Betley. CW3 9AS.
Take a look at our ‘Programme of Events’ to see what’s coming up. These include:
Talks on topics of local historical interest or on wider issues relating to the village
Visits to various sites, landscapes, properties, buildings, record offices, archives etc.
Local research projects about Betley village and life in and around Betley in bygone times
We would like to involve as many local researchers and speakers as possible in our activities - so please do get in touch, using the contact link, if you’d like to find out more.
For up-to-date news about the Society please visit our frequently updated Facebook page - just click here or on the icon at the bottom of this page.
You might also consider joining our Facebook group - there’s a button on the right hand side of the BLHS Facebook page that will take you straight to it.
We also occasionally post on Instagram & Twitter too - again, just click the icons in the footer and follow us.
Join Us - Become a Member…
Why not consider becoming a BLHS member and help support the Society? The annual subscription is just £6.50 p.a. (includes processing fee).
You’ll receive a discount on the entrance fee for our monthly talks and access to our archive material - including old photographs, recent newsletters, past copies of the Betley Parish News dating back to 1959 and snippets from our sound archive collection featuring reminiscences from long-time Betley residents.
Click the button below to pay securely.
Support the Society through a donation…
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to send a donation to help the Society in its work, or are purchasing a downloadable locked copy of one of our publications, please click the ‘Donate’ button below.
All income goes directly to providing the Society’s services to the community.
David W. Becket
It is with particular sadness that we share news of the death of our recent Chair, David Becket.
One of the founding members of the original University of Keele, Dept. of Adult Education group, which pre-dated and ultimately grew into BLHS, David has made an unprecedented contribution to the vitality and dynamism of the Society.
In addition to articles and publications, he researched and authored the chapter on communications and industry in the 1980 book Betley; A Village of Contrasts, and also made a substantial contribution to the chapter on agriculture. During his time with the Society, his detailed, diligent research work and, more recently, his abilities as our chair to coordinate and lead our proceedings with such professionalism and patience have inspired us, and been greatly valued by all of us.
For over 40 years, David's extraordinary contributions to public life, village life and Local History Society activities have been unparalleled. The loss is irreplaceable.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Roy P. Rushton
We have learned of the death of our close friend Roy Rushton. Roy was an active member of our committee for a very long time, and his profound memory and knowledge of the locale, his patient research work and his exceptional artwork talents were invaluable. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Our late Chair, David Becket, wrote...’Roy made an enormous contribution to Betley and its local history over the years. He worked very hard for the village and was one of the three surviving members of the original Robert Speake group which pre-dated BLHS. He produced many publications, but his most lasting contribution to the village are his pen and ink drawings.’