Updated Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy
A Tribute to Chris Catling – one of the Society’s founder members
Cambridge Road bomb – 10th October 1940 – wreath laying
Today marks the anniversary of the bomb which killed the inhabitants of a house in Cambridge Road in 1940. Hazel Mead and David Royle laid a wreath at the war memorial in the churchyard this morning in memory of the victims.
David Mead – a tribute
David Mead was a long-serving member of the Society. His widow, Hazel, our Chairperson, has written a lovely tribute telling us about his life. This was published in the Bishops’ Stortford Independent.
John Sapsford – local historian
Our next talk – The Boat that Rocked – a history of Radio Caroline
Our current programme
Our next talk – Pre-eminent but not remembered: the Malting Families of Sawbridgeworth
On Thursday 25th May at the Hailey Centre at 7.30pm Tim Howard-Smith will give a talk entitled “Pre-eminent but not remembered: the Malting Families of Sawbridgeworth. In 1769, Thomas Adderley’s brainchild, the River Stort Navigation was completed after just three short years of construction. The immediate impact was an upturn in trade for those… Read More »
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Statement
Our current programme 2023
Our programme for 2023
Sawbridgeworth Local History Society is looking for additional committee members to help us manage and further develop our programme. Please contact David Royle [email protected] if interested. You can join the Society via www.sbwhistory.com or by contacting Hazel Mead hazelmead404@ btinternet.com.
RAF Sawbridgeworth
This is a collection of articles about the Mathams Wood site that look at its history from the fourteenth century manor to twentieth century airfield. Please contribute if you know more! Copyright remains with the writer.
A town with military connections – Sawbridgeworth
John Sly has kindly given us access to an article he has written about Sawbridgeworth. It was published in Medal News, August 2010
A 1950s Childhood in Sawbridgeworth
Our next talk on Thursday 29th September is entitled A 1950s Childhood in Sawbridgeworth and is given by Bob Reed who has some interesting tales of how it was living in Sawbridgeworth when he was a boy.
Updated 2022 Programme
In order to see the programme it is necessary to click on the title of this post.
The Millennium Trail QR Codes
QR codes launch
The Unwin Family and their connection to The River Stort Navigation, Brewing, Malting and Non-Conformism
An article by Tim Howard-Smith. The Unwin Family of Sawbridgeworth
In Memoriam – Wally Wright
The Changing Face of Sawbridgeworth – a new book added to our shop
We have just added a new book to our shop. It is called The Changing Face of Sawbridgeworth by Harry Speller. It features life in the town in the 1920s and we have had it rewritten with the kind permission of Harry Speller’s daughter, Diana Jones.
1949 Town Guide
It is now possible to see pages from the 1949 Town Guide in our Archive section. One thing that is included, which would not be allowed today, is a list of Residents’ Addresses. You can adverts for several local businesses that are still open.
The origins of Nostalgia Day
Dave Mead has written an article about the origins of Nostalgia Day.
History Group for Pishiobury Park
There is a new History Group for Pishiobury Park and they have already started investigating the area.
Sawbridgeworth Allotment book – new publication to be launched on September 4th
Susi Smith and Elisabeth Waugh have written about the allotments in Sawbridgeworth and High Wych – the history and experiences of current allotmenteers. The book will be launched at the Sawbridgeworth Allotment Show on Saturday 4th September to be held at the Memorial Hall from 1.30pm.
Stan Kempthorne – prisoner of war
Stan Kempthorne was an inhabitant of High Wych who spent some time in a prisoner of war camp during World War Two.