BHI Branches
UK and Overseas
The first BHI branch was established in Manchester shortly after the Second World War. It was an initiative that was quickly replicated up and down the country. More recently we have even begun to see BHI branches established overseas.
BHI branches are entirely autonomous. They are set up ‘by the members for the members’, invariably rely for their existence on the energy and commitment of a few committed volunteers. If you are lucky enough to live within travelling distance of a vibrant BHI branch you should try sampling one of their events. You will always find a warm welcome.
For specific branch activity as well as other horological events, see the
bristol
Branch Secretary: David Spicer
Tel: 01278 691264
Website: www.bhibristol.co.uk
Meeting Details: We meet monthly on a Monday at the ‘Globe Inn’ near Bath where we have our own dedicated and comfortable room with video cameras, multi-media projectors etc. and an excellent selection of food and drink is available.
You are warmly invited to attend any of our Branch meetings where you will find a friendly group of keen amateur and professional horologists from all walks of life. You do not need to be a BHI member to come to our Branch meetings.
Visit the BHI Bristol Branch Website
cheltenham
Branch Secretary: Denise Hargreaves
Email: dkah26@gmail.com
Tel: 01594 825662
Mob: 07503 212449
Website: www.bhicheltenham.uk
Meeting Details: Our meetings are held usually at 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of Feb-May and Sept-Nov (inclusive) at: Cotswold Area Civil Service Sports Association (CACSSA), Tewkesbury Road, Uckington, Cheltenham. Gloucs. GL51 9SL
Our membership includes both professional and amateur horologists: clockmakers, watchmakers, restorers and collectors. We meet eight times a year: six evening meetings at which speakers from all branches of horology (and associated areas of interest) provide both education and entertainment for our members; a summer outing with either a horological or associated historical or engineering theme; and the Autumn AGM which is followed by a wine and cheese party for the attendees.
Visit the Cheltenham Branch Website
Ipswich
Branch Secretary: Rev. Richard Stretch
Email: secretary@ipswichbhi.org.uk
Website: http://www.ipswichbhi.org.uk
Meeting Details: The Branch holds INDOOR MEETINGS on the fourth Tuesday of each month from February to June and from September to November in the well-appointed premises of St. Mary’s Church Room, Bramford, Ipswich, IP8 4AT.
Formed in 1954, the Ipswich and District branch has an active membership covering the whole of East Anglia.
Indoor meetings include lectures, demonstrations, sales and open evenings where members can show their latest projects; buy and sell items; discuss problems and share ideas. Books from our extensive BRANCH LIBRARY are available for members to borrow free of charge. There are usually VISITS AND TOURS in July and August and an ANNUAL DINNER in January.
Professional and experienced members are always on hand to give advice and support to those with less expertise. Members receive a branch NEWSLETTER in advance of each meeting.
The Branch supports cultural events in the area and has taken on the management of the twice yearly ESSEX CLOCK FAIR.
kent
Branch Secretary: Alan Gibbons
Tel: 07856 719096
Email: ticgroup1@outlook.com
Meeting Details: We meet most months at 7:30pm at the Brents Tavern in Faversham on the third Thursday.
The room above the bar is equipped with projector screen for any display purposes by guest speakers. All are welcome to our meetings BHI member or not.
Email the Kent Branch
leicester
Branch Secretary: Colin Reynolds
Tel: 0116 2888747
Email: colin.reynolds747@gmail.com
Meeting Details: The Leicester Branch meet on the second Monday in most months. We meet at the BRITE Centre Braunstone Avenue Leicester LE3 1LE, with meetings starting at 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. A small donation to meeting is requested and refreshments are provided.
We have a broad spectrum of members with a wide range of interests. Talks and visits are arranged for our programme which can be sent on request. The venue has excellent meeting facilities adequate parking and is only a mile from the M1 junction 21 and M69.
Email the Leicester Branch
merseyside, north wales and west cheshire
Branch Secretary: John Griffiths
Email: johngriffiths.horologist@gmail.com
Meeting Details: Meets at 7.30pm, the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Ruskin Centre, St Helens, except during July and August. For meeting topics, see the current Horological Journal and the Horological Events Calendar.
Email the Merseyside, North Wales and West Cheshire Branch
milton keynes
Branch Chairman: David Eyton-Williams
Email: david.eytonwilliams@gmail.com or info@MKCWC.org.uk
Branch Representative: Alistair Pollard
Tel: 01462 686190
Email: ajpollard@hotmail.com
north east
Branch Secretary: Richard Humble
Tel: 01642 289102
Mob: 07740 461287
Email: richard.humble@ntlworld.com
Meeting Details: We meet at Bullion Hall, South Approach, Chester-Le-Street, DH2 2DW at 7:30pm on the third Wednesday of January and alternate months thereafter.
Members of the BHI in the North East region are welcome to attend the BHI North East branch meetings and join us on group visits. Our meetings are an opportunity to meet with friends and maybe discuss that problem which is currently on your workbench! Attendees are from a variety of backgrounds: both professional and non-professional horologists, who range from makers and restorers, through collectors and researchers, to those who just like to discuss their horological interests. Why not pop along to a meeting and introduce yourself!
Email the North East Branch
north london
Branch Secretary: Felix Starega FBHI
Tel: 07785 186 061
Email: fstarega@gmail.com
Meeting Details: We meet at the Calthorpe Arms, 252 Grays Inn Road, WC1X 8JR. Nearest underground stations Russell Square or Kings Cross St Pancras.
oxfordshire
Branch Secretary: John Love
Email: johnlove500@btinternet.com
Website: www.bhioxbranch.co.uk
Meeting Details: We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month (closed in July, Aug, Dec) at ‘The Minstrals gallery at The Crown & Thistle Hotel’, 18 Bridge Street, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3JD at 7.30 for a 7.50 start.
There is normally a presentation and we welcome all to come and chat and help each other. Entry is £5. Those doing the DLC or studying horology are free. Interested parties should email me and I can add them to my circulation list. I send a meeting reminder out the week before each meeting.
Visit the Oxfordshire Branch Website
scotland
Branch Secretary: Richard Thomson
Tel: 07967 727836
Email: secretary.bhi.scotland@gmail.com
Website: https://bhiscotland.com/events/
Meeting Details: Unless otherwise specified meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month, at 2.00 pm, either virtually or in the Museum of Edinburgh, 142 Canongate, Royal Mile, EH8 8DD.
The Scotland Branch was formed in July 2016 with the amalgamation of the East and West of Scotland Branches. Our membership is around 130 of whom about 15% are Members or Fellows, the great majority being Associates. Regular meetings are held from September till May each year at which invited speakers talk on a range of horological topics. We also arrange occasional visits to places with interesting horological collections. Visitors and guests are welcome to attend Branch meetings.
Visit the Scotland Branch Website
South London
Branch Secretary: Barnaby Smith
Tel: 01322 273264
Email: barnaby.smi3th@gmail.com
Website: www.slbbhi.co.uk
Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram (@southlondonbranchbhi)
Meeting Details: Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at The White Hart Barn (Godstone Village Hall), Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8DU
The South London Branch has around 140 members. We hold monthly meetings, publish a monthly newsletter and hold an annual auction. In addition, we have workshop facilities in Caterham and run a number of courses for our members. The Branch has a library consisting of over 300 horological books. We are always happy to welcome new members.
Visit the BHI South London Branch Website
south west
Branch Secretary: Martin Dickinson MBHI
Email: tindi4@icloud.com
Website: www.bhiswbranch.co.uk
Meeting Details: From April 2023 onwards we will meet on the first Wednesday of the month at the Countess Wear Village Hall, 28 School Lane, EX2 6LB at 7.45pm (unless otherwise stated).
The South West Branch was inaugurated 27 years ago. We are a very friendly and welcoming branch and have a core membership that has supported it over those years. We have been able to get speakers from around the country. We are well known for the outstanding quality of reception we give our speakers. We have also set up a charity “The South West Horological Trust” and from these funds we hope to help horologists in the South West of England.
Visit the BHI South West Branch Website
sussex
Branch Secretary: Clive Steer
Tel: 01424 844427
wessex
Branch Secretary: Richard Steedman
Tel: 01962 676114
Email: richard.steedman@btinternet.com
Website: www.wessexbhi.co.uk
Meeting Details: We meet on the first Wednesday of the month (except Jan, Jul, Aug) at Lyndhurst Community Centre, High street, Lyndhurst SO43 7NY. Gather from 7pm for meeting start at 7:30pm.
The Wessex BHI branch brings together the local community of enthusiasts, collectors and clock and watch makers. We hold bi-annual auctions with a variety of lots, as well as skills evenings and talks on various horological subjects.
Visit the Wessex Branch Website
yorkshire
Branch Secretary: Martin Wigglesworth
Tel: 01858 707123
Email: secretary@yorkshirebhi.uk
Website: https://www.yorkshirebhi.uk/
News for the Yorkshire Branch of the BHI is available on the above website.
Email the Yorkshire Branch
ireland
Branch Secretary: Raymond Farrelly
Tel: +353 28 6632 8776 (04866 328776 from Eire)
Australia
Branch Secretary: Martin Foster
Email: martin-foster@bigpond.com
norway
Branch Secretary: Eric Odegaard
Tel: +47 691 52407