The Society was formed in 1973. Its specific aim was to foster an interest in Lenton Priory but this soon developed into a general 
interest in the history of the locality. Old and New Lenton, Lenton Sands and Dunkirk, the Lenton and Dunkirk Industrial Estates, plus the Lenton Abbey and Wollaton Park housing estates are all considered now to fall within the Society's area of interest.
Over the years we have built up a substantial archive of material relating to Lenton. This includes books and articles, newspaper reports, and a wide range other printed material. Photographs loaned to the Society have been copied and we now have a collection of several thousand historic photographs plus a number of taped recollections made by former residents most of which focus on life in Lenton during the first half of the twentieth century. Those wishing to gain access to this archive should email the Society at society@lentontimes.co.uk.
The Society mounts a regular programme of talks. The talks are now held in the Dunkirk and Old Lenton Community Centre on Montpelier Road, Dunkirk (see below on the best way to get there) and take place on the second Wednesday in the month.
The forthcoming programme is as follows:-
Wednesday 10 April
'The History of Bestwood Park'' by Andy McKinnon
Wednesday 8 May
'A Day in the Life of the English Language'' by William Ruff
Wednesday 13 June
'Gin Lane to the Band of Hope'' by Richard Bridgford
Wednesday 10 July
'Women in Policing' by Tom Andrews
Wednesday 14 August
'A History of Mining in Nottinghamshire' by Andy McKinnon
Wednesday 11 September
'The Robins - A History of the Post Office and the Postal Service' by Bob Massey
Wednesday 9 October
'Shakespeare Street - Muddy Track to Seat of Learning' by Kevin Powell
Wednesday 13 November
'Shops of Nottingham' by Chris Weir
There is no evening meeting in December.
After the main speakers have finished there is a break for refreshments (which are free) after which there is usually a short talk about some aspect of Lenton's past or else a short film of local interest.
How to get to our Current Venue
Each of these talks will get underway at 7.30 p.m. The cost of entry is £4 per person and anyone is welcome to attend. Our current venue is the Dunkirk & Old Lenton Community Centre, housed in the old Dunkirk School building on Montpelier Road. Those coming by bus are advised to travel on Trent Barton's Indigo Service and get off at the Lace Street bus stop. For anyone coming by car there is plenty of free parking at the Community Centre itself and motorists are advised that on accessing Beeston Road from the Dunkirk Flyover end they should turn left into Lace Street and then left again into Brailsford Road which brings them on to Montpelier Road. The entrance to the car park is next to the Community Centre.
Each year members receive two editions of the Lenton Times, the Society's magazine.
Individual membership of the Society is currently £5.00 and anyone living in the British Isles who would like to become a member is asked to send a cheque made out to 'Lenton Local History Society' to our Membership Secretary.
Any general enquiries about the Society for the time being should be directed to Our Acting Secretary (see below)
Contacts
Sylvia Taylor, Membership Secretary and Acting Secretary: 18 Hawton Crescent Wollaton Park, Nottingham NG8 1BZ Tel. 0115 9700380 email: society@lentontimes.co.uk