City of Doncaster Archives

09/10/2026

in 1936, well-known actor, advocate and adventurer Brian Blessed was born in Mexborough. His father, William, was a miner at Hickleton Colliery. Brian attended Bolton on Dearne Secondary Modern where he excelled at sports. Unfortunately he had to leave education at the age of 14 to become the main breadwinner after his father had an accident and his mother suffered a mental health episode. He went on to do his National Service in the RAF before winning a scholarship to study drama at the Old Vic in Bristol. One of his earliest television roles was in Z Cars in the 1960s and, since then, he has notched up an impressive career on stage and screen. In 2014 Brian appeared on an episode of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? and these photos from our collection show some scenes from filming at Doncaster Archives

06/10/2026

Today kicks off this year's National Libraries Week in the UK. Some people might remember the old library on St George Gate which opened in 1889 and closed in 1969

03/10/2026

We're at the Corn Exchange today for the Local History Fair. Come down and say hello

01/10/2026

A teacher's passion for the game led to the establishment of a rugby team at Doncaster Grammar School. In autumn 1976 the team went on a jubilee trip to Canada. This brochure for the trip was given to us by a former pupil at the school

23/09/2026

Which theatre do you remember most in Doncaster? The town's first purpose built theatre was the Theatre Royal in the market place which opened in 1776. It was leased to various managers over the years, including Tate Wilkinson who was well known on the northern circuit. It hosted, among others, Madame Tussaud in 1826 who was touring with her waxworks

19/09/2026

Aargh me 'earties! Today be International Talk Like A Pirate Day and we be bringing you this most fascinating photo from our collections we do. These 'ere rum folk be those that grafted in Doncaster Central Library in the 1990s and took part in yon fun run. Now, where's me rum?

14/09/2026

It was a real pleasure to open up City of Doncaster Archives today for a Rail Open Day, as part of the 2026 Heritage Open Days campaign. Nearly 50 people visited us to take advantage of a unique opportunity to see artefacts from the extensive Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection in a behind the scenes tour of the Rail Heritage Store. Until 2020 the collection was hidden away in the clock tower of the old Grammar School (now Hall Cross Academy). Many items are now on public display at DGLAM but the majority of the collection remains in store and not normally open to the public. We look forward to arranging a re-run soon.

14/09/2026

🎉🤩 Heritage Open Days 2026: Celebrating Doncaster's Horse Racing Heritage Talk! 🤩🎉

📅 Friday 18 September, 2pm – 3pm
📍 Doncaster Archives, Chequer Rd. DN1 2AE

Find out more about the National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the upcoming talk: St Leger 250 - Celebrating Doncaster’s Horse Racing Heritage!

Explore and celebrate the St. Leger, the world’s oldest Classic horse race, during the 250th anniversary year. The race remains an integral part of Doncaster’s identity to this day. This illustrated short talk will highlight what has been found in Doncaster’s archive and local studies collections relating to the race.

Booking required.

Book your FREE place here 👉 https://www.heritagedoncaster.org.uk/product/st-leger-250-celebrating-doncasters-horse-racing-heritage/

12/09/2026

So lovely to meet staff and volunteers from different heritage places and groups

The Heritage Open Days exhibition is now open at RSPB Old Moor!

Thank you to everyone involved this morning with Hemingfield Colliery - FoHC, City of Doncaster Archives, RSPB Old Moor, Alan Wood and John Snook from Remember the Coal, Sue Riley from Wombwell Heritage Group.

Explore a fascinating collection of displays celebrating the working lives, heritage and communities that have shaped our region.

Displays include:

🌿 RSPB Old Moor
Discover 50 years of conservation in the Dearne Valley and learn how a working farm, once described as "the most polluted site in Europe", became a thriving wildlife haven and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Follow the journey from organic farming in the 1970s to the nature oasis enjoyed by visitors today.

🏛️ Elsecar Heritage Centre
Uncover the working lives of local people and the industries that powered the area, from coal mining and gas production to the communities that grew around them.

⛏️ Friends of Hemingfield Colliery - FoHC
Discover the stories of local people from Elsecar and the surrounding area, spotlighting everyday lives from the eighteenth to the twentieth century.

🏛️ Wentworth Woodhouse
Learn about the heritage and working lives connected to one of Britain's grandest country houses and the people who lived and worked on the estate.

📜 City of Doncaster Archives
Explore the everyday histories of Doncaster and district through stories of women at work, shopworkers, farmers and public transport employees.

Wombwell Heritage Group
Follow Wombwell's transformation from a rural farming village to a thriving coal mining town.

📅 Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September
⏰ 10am to 4pm (open every-day)
📍 RSPB Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF
🎟️ Free Entry

12/09/2026

We're at RSPB Old Moor for Heritage Open Days. You can come talk to us today but our exhibition will be here until 20 September