News

Next Talk – Thurs 15 Jan at 19:30: Thames Mudlarking Treasures, Stephen and Jack Engeham

 

New Book – Harlow Town FC 1879–1900: “The Inhabitants Generally are Invited to Attend”

This new book on the early history of Harlow Town FC, is by Colin Barrett, a member of Bishop’s Stortford History Society , and contains many mentions of Bishop’s Stortford residents, including Francis Young, William Gee, the Hodson brothers and William Scruby.

Why did the founder of the club not play in Harlow’s first match? Why was he instead, playing against the top football club in the country at the famous Kennington Oval? How was another player selected to represent a World XI, and how did yet another go on to captain the England cricket team and become President of the MCC?

This book answers these and other questions.  It is the fascinating story of the first two decades of Harlow Town Football Club and how a small village club attracted players from the aristocracy, the landed gentry and a baker!

A fuller account of the book can be found in this article.

ISBN: 979-8340917447 (Sep 2024)

 

Article in the Independent – Bishop’s Stortford History Society celebrates 70 years of making a difference to the town 23 Sep 2025

Read the extensive coverage of the History Day in this report from the Indie.

Publication of “The Bishops’ Castle: Waytemore and Bishop’s Stortford” – launch event 4 Sep 2025

A special event was held mark the publication of Mike James book “The Bishops’ Castle: Waytemore and Bishop’s Stortford”. Read all about it in this report from the Indie.

Article in the Independent – 1 Jan 2025: “Red Letter Day for history society’e blue plaque plans”

The Independent published a two page article outlining the plan to honour the town’s most illustrious former residents with blue plaques, including a short list of 10 names plus an invitation to the public to nominate others they think may also be worthy of this honour.

Articles in the Independent – 4 September 2024

The Society was featured in two articles forming a double page spread.  The first, entitled “Bishop’s Stortford History Society looks to the future and it’s 70th anniversary” highlighted the recently published “Bishop’s Stortford Yesterday & Today Revisited” and further publications, including a re-issue of the “Local History Chronicles” part I” and books on Waytmore Castle, the opening of the Stort Navigation in 1769 and its impact on the town, and a history of the Corn Exchange.  The second  article provided summary of the 2024-5 season of talks.  Follow the link for the full articles. 

Article in the Independent – 21 August 2024

The Independent published an article on the Society’s forthcoming book on the Corn Exchange, with a call out to share your Corn Exchange memories, so we can extend our oral history archive.  

History Walk – 17 May 2024

Tim Howard-Smith, Mike James and Chris Connell led a town history walk for the Library, as part of their Local History Week.  This was well supported, with a large waiting list.  This was subsequently reported in the Bishops Stortford Independent, in an article by Dr Gareth Oakland, under the title “From St Michael’s to the castle, via Betty’s brothel….”

New Publication – Bishop’s Stortford Yesterday and Today Revisited

We have revised and updated the original edition published in 1971, with new colour photographs, to complement the archive images.  This is now available and will be on sale at our meeting on 16 May, £5 (members) and £6 (non-members). 

 

This provides access to resources relating to archaeological sites, finds and historic monuments within Hertfordshire. Clicking on an icon will give you information about buildings and sites, from finds of prehistoric flint tools, to medieval castles, to pillboxes from the Second World War. You can use the viewer to find out historic information about where you live!