Local History News
From our blog
The Scottish Rates Revaluation of 1985: The Spark that Lit the Poll Tax Fire!
Published: 6th March 2025
Margaret Thatcher's ‘flagship policy’ the Community Charge, infamously known as the poll tax, remains etched in British history as one of the most contentious policies of her premiership. Introduced in Scotland in 1989 before being rolled-out to both England and Wales in 1990, this flat-rate tax applied Community Charges to almost every adult regardless of income or ability to pay.
From our blog
Finding Historic Perth
Published: 7th February 2025
In the first talk in our 2025 series delivered in partnership with the Historic Towns Trust, David Bowler spoke about Medieval and Early Modern Perth, and how the development of the burgh was tied to the natural topography of the area. David is Director of Alder Archaeology Ltd, and Past President of The Perthshire Society of Natural Science. He has lived and worked in Perth since 1983 and was an adviser to the Perth Historic Map project.
From our blog
Camp 21 'Cultybraggan'
Published: 13th January 2025
Located near the village of Comrie in Perthshire, Scotland, is one of the most historically preserved sites from the Second World War – Camp 21, also known as Cultybraggan.
From our blog
Lager Sylt, Alderney
Published: 5th December 2024
The story of Lager Sylt, a Nazi concentration camp situated on the southern tip of Alderney in the Channel Islands.
From our blog
BALH Regional Conference: Maps and Buildings
Published: 11th November 2024
Following a successful 2022 regional conference ‘Unexpected Sources for Local History,’ BALH returned to Taunton on 12th October 2024 - this time for a look at how maps and building can provide a tangible and accessible route into the study of local history. Concepts, references and sources were woven across the five presentations linking the day into a well-crafted whole.
From our blog
A newcomer’s experience of archives – four projects, and counting…
Published: 6th November 2024
The joy of local history research was confirmed for me when I joined Midhurst u3a’s Local History Group in January 2022. Each member researches a topic of their own choosing and then presents it to the group, with much discussion and exchange of information ensuing.
From our blog
The origins of the Yorkshire Museum – a Regency story
Published: 23rd October 2024
Have you ever wondered why the Grecian style building in York’s Museum Gardens is called the Yorkshire Museum and not the York Museum? This is the story….
From our blog
Marking out Bathgate’s heritage
Published: 28th July 2024
Although my home town of Bathgate – located in the central belt of Scotland, almost midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow – has a recorded history dating back to the mid-12th century and was fought over several times during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 13th, I suspect that its history is little known, even to the majority of inhabitants, aka ‘Bathgate bairns”.
From our blog
Local histories of a lost town: researching the island of Ravenser Odd
Published: 25th April 2024
In this third of four talks delivered in partnership with the Historic Towns Trust, Dr Emily Robinson spoke on the fascinating history of Ravenser Odd, a thriving medieval community in East Yorkshire that appears to have completely vanished around 130 years after its foundation.
From our blog
The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre Company
Published: 12th February 2024
Cheryl Butler from The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre Company shares how this group uses theatre to explore Southampton’s rich local history.
From our blog
Manorial Court Rolls
Published: 31st January 2024
Sharon O’Connor and Patrick Darby, from the Dulwich Society local history group share how they have been approaching their manor court rolls.
From our blog
Must Tell/Should Tell/Could Tell - leading guided walks
Published: 8th January 2024
Cheryl Butler, of the Southampton Tourist Guides Association shares how the Association operate with some advice on leading guided walks.
From our blog
Are battles local history?
Published: 6th October 2023
Geoffrey Carter, from the Battlefields Trust and BALH shares his thoughts on battlefields as local history.
From our blog
Dulwich Local History Walks
Published: 6th October 2023
Sharon O’Connor, from the Dulwich Society local history group shares some things to consider when organising local history walks, based on the group’s experience.
From our blog
Tudor and Stuart handwriting and Lionel Munby's legacy
Published: 20th August 2023
Heather Falvey's review in the Summer 2023 Local History News of 'Datchworth and Tewin in Tudor and Stuart Times' triggered an unexpected and happy memory of attending one of Lionel Munby's Hertfordshire classes.
