08 - We were all part of Harpenden's History on 20 April

We were all part of Harpenden’s History on 20 April 

Link to: Report on the Day

Link to: Photographs

Report on the Day

Over 1,200 were at the Local History Day at the Eric Morecambe Centre; the contributors, exhibitors, marshals, etc. were joined by over 1,100 members of the public, making the event a great day for Harpenden and district.  The venue was rocking!

Annie Brewster at the close of the Day, for which this was her first public event as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, said “When you asked me last summer about the idea for this event, I would not have believed what a success it could be, thanks to the legion of volunteers. We have learned so much about our past. We have also witnessed our future with the young children on stage.  Hopefully, this is the first of many such spectacles the Society will create for us.”

Cllr Fiona Gaskell, Mayor of Harpenden, says, “The Day was a memorable event. There was a real buzz throughout, with enthusiastic residents enjoying the museum, talks and exhibitions. Many people appeared to stay throughout the day as there was so much to see and do.  Warmest congratulations to the team who worked so hard on the event, and I look forward to seeing and hearing a lot more of the History Society in future.”

I heartily thank the High Sheriff, the Mayor and all contributors, including those from other organisations, and the children who entered our competition, plus all marshals and other volunteers, together with the staff of EMC, who shared in the excitement, all of whom made a vital contribution to the overwhelming success of the day.  Not only was the total number, 1,200, pleasingly surprising, but the vitality of those attending throughout the four hours was tremendous.  And thank you to all those who came; your interest and excitement was itself a tremendous for the team.

Owing to limited space the High Sheriff cut the ribbon at the Museum doorway at a private gathering some time prior to the public being in the building.

Laura Bull, our 500^th visitor on the day, was awarded free membership and was photographed with the Mayor and our Chairman.  The Herbert family including our 1000^th visitor, also receiving free membership, and were photographed with our chairman, Dr Alexander Thomas, one of the speakers, and Kate Barton, EMC manager.

Numerous people visited the new Museum for the first time. From 27 April the museum will open 11am-3pm every Saturday and as many Tuesdays and Thursdays for which we have volunteers.

Comments received included: “The talks, which were excellent, attracted queues, so the room could have been filed 3 times over!”  “The quality presentation of the maps and old photos was impressive; people lingered so long to take them all in!”  “Children were really getting stuck into being creative at the art table.”  “Wasn’t the Roman soldier wonderful.”  “So good to see the villages represented here, as well as Rothamsted and St Albans.”  “Surprisingly, more people had heard of Frank Salisbury than expected and were showing a real interest.”  “Good to see the children involved and on stage as their reward.”

We put on this event to relaunch the Society, now we have our museum, to educate the public on our local history and to make a contribution to the cultural life of Harpenden. We also aimed to significantly increase membership, which was fulfilled – on Saturday alone our membership increased by 50%.

If you enjoyed the event, or have simply heard about it in the magnificent press coverage, why not join the Society.  The special offer of membership up to end 2025 (20 months) at same rate as 12 months’ membership will be honoured to 30 April.   Details of joining on our website.

Also, why not participate in our activities and volunteer for the museum rota or other vacant roles in running the Society.

Attached are photos taken by members of the Society’s volunteer photographic team comprising Peter Wilson, Torben Cox and David Thomas. 

Roger Butterworth

Chairman

Photographs