January 2009

Happy New Year!

The society has gone from strength to strength this year, with membership now at an all-time high of 372. So a warm welcome to all our new members, we're very pleased to have you with us, and a thank-you to all pre-existing members for your continuing support and interest. Having such a large membership really does give us more influence when local controversial projects are proposed, enabling us to ensure that 'progress' doesn't include throwing out all that is good, if old, in the town. Throw out the bathwater by all means, but let's keep the baby!

As you know, now is the time to renew your membership, which has been held at the same price as last year, so don't forget either to fill in the form online or use the one which will be attached to the Newsletter later this month, and send it to Val Campion, our membership secretary, as soon as you can.

Girton Book Launch

As reported last month, Val Campion's new book,"Pioneering Women: the History of Girton College in Hitchin" was launched on 8th November, and I'm pleased to say it's selling well at several local outlets.

I now have a few photos taken at the launch at Hitchin Museum, and a photo of the book cover appears on the publications page where you may order a copy of the book from the Publications Officer, Pauline Humphries.

This Year's Programme of Meetings and Events

Stephen Bradford-Best has put together another very interesting programme for us, with talks ranging from detailed information about the Delmé Radcliffe papers, now up for sale, to discoveries following a recent archaeological survey of St Mary's Church.

Outings include visits to several local country houses, a real treat as we usually have the local archivist or landowner as our guide, as well as another trip to the lavender fields, an archaeological walk round Hitchin and a couple of 'behind-the-scenes-at-the-museum' trips which are always eye-opening. Full details are on the Meetings and Outings pages.

Next Society meeting

Our next meeting takes place on Thursday 22nd January at Church House, Churchyard, Hitchin at 8pm, when Val Campion will be talking to us about the background to her new book on Girton College in Hitchin, and especially about the pioneering women who set the example for women's higher education in Britain.

I look forward to seeing you there!

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This page updated 3rd January 2009