Welcome to the website of the Bedfordshire Local History Association (BLHA)
The BLHA has been the successful umbrella organisation for local history in the county for over thirty years.
Members include: almost all of Bedfordshire’s local history societies, institutions such as the Bedfordshire Archives, and an increasing number of individuals.
BLHA 2024 AGM & Conference Hosted by the Leighton Buzzard & District Archaeological & Historical Society
The 2024 AGM and Conference will be held on Saturday 22ndJune year at Linslade Middle School, Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard.
Preparations are now well underway, the full booking details will be released in February/March 2024.
There will be plenty of space for societies to put up displays and stalls to showcase their work. The organisers have asked us to share the following message with all societies and members.
Conference 2024 Likely Society Display Requirements
Please see the message below from Paul Brown at the Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeology and Historical Society. There will be the opportunity to formally book table space when full details of the Conference are issued in early 2024, but an indication now of interest from societies would be much appreciated.
‘Next year’s Bedfordshire Local History Conference on June 22, 2024 at the Middle School in Mentmore Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard will take place in the school’s well equipped large hall with a dining room attached. There is ample car parking and plenty of room for stalls and displays.
The organisers are arranging a full panel of speakers covering such topics as the archaeology and history involved in finding Linslade’s Holy Well, the story of the recently refurbished Leighton Buzzard Market Cross, and the remarkable life of its patron, Alice Chaucer, the daughter of the poet Geoffrey, and the story of Leighton’s Saxon Mill which survived 900 years.
There is also much more about this forgotten corner of the county and its importance in local and national affairs. Currently, as well as displays and stalls organised by the hosts Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeology and Historical Society, two other groups have booked space in the hall. The organisers ask if any other local societies would like to have a stall, display or both to please contact Paul Brown at mailto:paulbrown5@mac.com There is no charge’.
With the 2024 event now in hand, the BLHA is looking for a Society to host the 2025 AGM and Conference. If your group would be interested then please get in touch with the Secretary to discuss informally.