Local History Videos

Old Images of Leominster, Hereforshire

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Debbie Death
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Old photo postcard of The Grange Leominster Herefordshire

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Leominster, Herefordshire, England, UK.

Leominster, a market town in the English region of the West Midlands, is home to almost 12,000 people. That makes it the largest community in Herefordshire after the city of Hereford. 

Old photo postcard of Priory Church from Mill Street Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of Priory Church from Mill Street Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of Priory Church from Mill Street Leominster Herefordshire

It is steeped in history, set in beautiful countryside and enjoys close proximity to Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Wales.

Hops for beer were grown locally. Each year entire families arrived in the area to work as hop pickers.

Old photo postcard of hop picking near Leominster Herefordshire 1905
Old photo postcard of hop picking near Leominster Herefordshire 1905
Old photo postcard of hop picking near Leominster Herefordshire 1905

At the other end of the social scale, locals could enjoy imported wines and spirits.

Old photo postcard of a pub in Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of a pub in Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of a pub in Leominster Herefordshire

Old Photos of Leominster

High Street

Closeup of an Old photo postcard of the High Street Leominster Herefordshire England
Closeup of an Old photo postcard of the High Street Leominster Herefordshire England
Closeup of an Old photo postcard of the High Street Leominster Herefordshire England

Broad Street 1924

Old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924
Old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924
Old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924
Closeup of old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924
Closeup of old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924
Closeup of old photo postcard of Broad Street Leominster Herefordshire England August 1924

Auxiliary Hospital

During the Great War, later known as World War I, many auxiliary hospitals were set up across the country to cope with the large scale of casualties inflicted in the European trenches and other conflict zones.

in Herefordshire the auxiliary hospitals were opened at Hampton Grange (Hereford) Hightree House (Leintwardine), Beechwood Red Cross Hospital (Hereford), Sarnesfield Court Red Cross Hospital (Weobley, S.O.), Red Cross Hospital (Kington), Red Cross Hospital (Ross-on-Wye), The Upper Hall (Ledbury), and Hampton Court Hospital, Leominster.

Old photo postcard of a World War I auxiliary hospital Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of a World War I auxiliary hospital Leominster Herefordshire
Old photo postcard of a World War I auxiliary hospital Leominster Herefordshire

Leominster History

  • Christian community established c660CE by St. Edfrid of Northumberland
  • Home to he English Saint Æthelmod of Leominster
  • 8th and 9th Century Dane (or Viking) raids 
  • Burial of Leominster Hoard – Saxon jewellery, silver ingots & coins (discovered 2015)
  • Battle of Llanllieni of 1052 – the Welsh verses Normans & English Saxons
  • Priory of Leominster established 1121
  • Sacking of priory & local manors by Owain Glyndŵr in 1402
  • Ryeland sheep and Lemster wool created great wealth in the Middle Ages
  • 1748 Pinsley Mill had one of the first spinning machines (burned down 1754)
  • 1809 Jenny Pipes was one of the last to ever suffer ordeal by ducking stool

Flooding In The 1950s

On 27th and 28th of November 1954, Leominster and the local district suffered flooding. Arts Alive & Flicks in the Sticks uploaded footage to YouTube about this event.

“Dale Flood Scenes in Leominster and District 10642” – YouTube

Views Of The 1979 General Election

YouTube channel Arts Alive & Flicks in the Sticks uploaded this interview first broadcast on 26 April 1979. 

This was the last time Leominster was a marginal seat, with the Tories struggling to hold on against the liberals. The Labour party received so few votes they lost their deposit.

Note how posh the middle class accents were at the time.

“ATV Today 26 04 1979 Election ’79 Leominster” – YouTube

Leominster Morris Dancing Event

Here we see traditional Morris dancers celebrating the opening of the Leominster Museum 2015 season, and in particular the new exhibition, ‘Here Be Dragons – A History of Morris Dancing and Mumming in Leominster’.

Leominster Museum, Herefordshire – 2015 – YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Say Leominster?

People unfamiliar with Herefordshire’s largest market town are tempted to say ‘Lee-o-min-ster’, but it’s actually pronounced Lemster. In nearby Wales, Welsh speakers call the town Llanllieni.

How Did Leominster Get Its Name?

The district was long ago known as Lene or Leon, derived from the Old Welsh word lei (to flow). A community of clergy – known as a minster – was established there.

More about Herefordshire

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