Welcome to the Ilkeston and District Local History Society (IDLHS)
Meetings and events
Ilkeston at War
Ilkeston at War
Life on ‘The Home Front’ in the Second World War, with reference to the new revised edition of our book.
Dame Laura Knight RA
Dame Laura Knight RA
The life of the internationally famous local-born artist, by Julia Powell
Tales of a Pit Man
Tales of a Pit Man
The life of a local collier, by David Coleman
The life of Violet Jessop – Titanic survivor
The life of Violet Jessop – Titanic survivor
With Bob Massey – the story of one remarkable woman who survived the sinking of both RMS Titanic in 1912 and her sister ship Britannic in the First World War.
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way
With Robert Mee – Journey from Ladybower to Shardlow.
Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright of Derby
The life and work of the world famous Derby born artist, by Julia Powell
Almshouses – Past, Present and Local
Almshouses – Past, Present and Local
With Robert Mee
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
A Potted Biography of Father Christmas and his Wonderful Pet Goat
A Potted Biography of Father Christmas and his Wonderful Pet Goat
Christmas folk tales with Dave Mooney
Ilkeston at War
Ilkeston at War
Life on ‘The Home Front’ in the Second World War, with reference to the new revised edition of our book.
Dame Laura Knight RA
Dame Laura Knight RA
The life of the internationally famous local-born artist, by Julia Powell
Tales of a Pit Man
Tales of a Pit Man
The life of a local collier, by David Coleman
The life of Violet Jessop – Titanic survivor
The life of Violet Jessop – Titanic survivor
With Bob Massey – the story of one remarkable woman who survived the sinking of both RMS Titanic in 1912 and her sister ship Britannic in the First World War.
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way
With Robert Mee – Journey from Ladybower to Shardlow.
Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright of Derby
The life and work of the world famous Derby born artist, by Julia Powell
Almshouses – Past, Present and Local
Almshouses – Past, Present and Local
With Robert Mee
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
A Potted Biography of Father Christmas and his Wonderful Pet Goat
A Potted Biography of Father Christmas and his Wonderful Pet Goat
Christmas folk tales with Dave Mooney
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 £20 yearly each or £30 for a couple at the same address (2026).
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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Lords of the Manor
The people of Ilkeston have seen a succession of Lords of the Manor stretching back to the Conquest. In the four...
Ilkeston
Ilkeston is situated approximately 10 miles east of the City of Derby and 8 miles west of the City of Nottingham in...
Dale and its Abbey
Introduction The remains of the Abbey can be found in the village of Dale Abbey and can be reached by a short walk...
Portrait Gallery 1
Most of the persons featured on this page were prominent members of the local community during the late 19th and early...
Ilkeston Remembered
(A longer read) Memories of Ilkeston past... your stories can add to this page. Remember to tell it like it is (or...
Remembering the Co-Op
Ilkeston's Co-operative Department store, 2006 (Eddie King) While the grand days of the Cooperative store have gone,...
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