An informal group which was first established in 2011 held its third annual conference on Saturday 26th October at Verulamium Museum. The St Albans and District Local History Network is now firmly established on the local scene and already the format is spreading around the county, with an inaugural conference already held in Hitchin.
Around seventy delegates heard presentations from nine different speakers throughout the day, with sufficient time left for Soapbox speakers to 'pop up' and provide a five minute update on a particular project.
Among the presentations was an update on the future of the old Town Hall for conversion to a museum which would replace that MoSTA site in Hatfield Road. Kris Goodyear explained the geophysical survey now taking place in Verulamium Park, and the machinery being used to provide the data. Other subjects ranged from historic gardens, the first fixed-site cinemas, a WW1 Home Front project, and the current High Street, Wheathampstead, funded project. Then there was an update on the Smallford Station project, the research being undertaken to prepare a map of the Second Battle (of St Albans) landscape, preparations being made for the Sandridge 900 commemoration, and further information about Highfield Park Trust.
The fact that places at the venue, limited to 70, were all booked within a period of eight days, suggests that it was an event eagerly anticipated. Not surprising really, as one delegate told me it was such a friendly conference; another that she had met so many interesting people during the day; a third that all the visiting speakers for the next twelve months at a local group had now been secured!
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