Royston and District Local History Society
Programme
The Society organises a number of talks by experts in their field to which members and the public are invited. Every summer it also organises coach trips to places which may be of interest to members.
Covid-19
The AGM and talk on 13th May has been postponed until
9th September to enable the meeting to be held in Royston Town Hall.
Covid 19 - Restriction on numbers attending meetings
If you wish to attend the any of the meetings please book a place.
Call 01763 242677 or use the link below to do so via email.
Also, please wear a face covering to all meetings you attend.
The Royston Institute built in 1855 and now Royston’s Town Hall where the Society meets.
2022-23 Season
2023
January 5th
Cambridge Students through History
Honor Ridout
February 2nd
The Stort Story
The 13¾ winding miles of the Stort Navigation is generally acknowledged to be among the prettiest in England. We look at the history of the river from 1766 and travel the waterway from Bishop’s Stortford to Hoddesdon.
Richard Thomas
March 2nd
Love and Marriage
Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews
April 6th
The History of Sainsbury’s Depot, Buntingford
Alan Charles
May 11th
7.30 pm Annual General Meeting
followed at 8.00 pm
Alexander Litvinenko – The Spy who solved his Own Murder
In 2006 two Russian Intelligence agents flew into London from Moscow. Their mission had one objective, to kill Ex KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. We look at his life and death and the attempts to assassinate him. We examine the deadly poison
Polonium 210 and the reasons why a vengeful President finally said enough. We draw attention to the conclusions of the public enquiry set up after his death and we ask if his family will ever find proper justice.
Paul Barwick
The evening concludes with light refreshments.
Saturday, 3rd June
Coach outing to Windsor
2023-24 Season
2023
October 5th
Making a Stand for Chelsea – Medicinal Plants
Dr Tim Wreghitt
November 2nd
Taste of Xmas
Cas Sanders
December 7th
Letchworth Settlement
Kate Thompson
2024
January 4th
‘Something old…something new…’
Francesca Weal
February 1st
Folk football across East Anglia
Whilst Cambridge University students are acknowledged with the creation of the modern-day laws of Association Football in the mid 19th century, the significant impact of the game across East Anglia over many centuries has gone unheralded.
Nigel Fenner
March 7th
The Picture Postcard; as Eyewitness to History (looking at social history via the medium of old postcards).
Mark Pardoe
April 4th
The poor fellow soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon
Looking at both the mystery of the Knights Templar and of their holdings in North Hertfordshire including Baldock and Temple Dinsley.
Keith Fitzpatrick--Matthews
May 9th
7.30 pm Annual General Meeting
followed at 8.00 pm
Royston Museum
Nicky Paton
The evening concludes with light refreshments.
Saturday, 1st June
Coach Outing to Sutton Hoo (NT), Suffolk
Awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site.
Further details and how to book will be advised nearer the date.
The venue
The Heritage Hall
Town Hall
Melbourn Street
Royston
Herts
SG8 7DA
Meetings start at 8.00 pm