In general we aim to initiate or support Avon-wide local history activities, to share information and ideas, and to speak for local history interests where necesssary. Some of the regular services we provide are:
New in 20111 but bound to become a feature of the local
history calendar.
The inuagural lecture was given by Professor Mick Aston (of Time Team
fame) on The Shapwick & Winscombe Projects in the Chapel
Lecture Theatre, St Matthias campus UWE, on Wednesday 2nd November.
This was a great start, featuring a blend of
old and new techniques, hightlighting the widespread community involvement,
fully illustrated and delivered in clear and lively fashion.
Fortunately Professor Aston is preparing an
extended version for publication as an ALHA book.
The 2012 Joseph Bettey Lecture in the autumn will be delivered by Professor Ronald Hutton.
In 2009, we embarked on the project of publishing compact books on aspects of Avon's history.
The 10th will appear soon: The Development of Redland by Peter Malpass (author of No 5, The Bristol Dock Company, 1803-1848)
The others are all still in print and may be found at £3.50 at the Bristol City
Museum Shop, M Shed and Bristol Record Office. They can also be ordered
directly at the same price, post free – click for details and order form.
Our scope is Avon-wide not just Bristol - see our Guidelines for Authors. Potential authors should get in touch with the Editor.
Grants may be awarded to members to help them in local
history research, publication or events projects. The Committee has wide
discretion over the kind of work to be assisted and the terms of the
assistance.
Details of the conditions and how to apply can be had from the Treasurer
Each year in the spring we hold a full day's conference on
some local history topic, with presentations from both amateur and professional
historians, and of course displays by local history societies and institutions.
Last year the topic was Avon Underground. Click here for a brief report from our Newsletter 126.
This year, March 10th, it will be
We produce a quarterly Newsletter, covering recent events, current issues, recent publications, ongoing projects and opportunities and forthcoming activities, including the Diary of all the events we know of for the following four months. The circulation is about 200 copies, but many of these reach multiple readership.
An increasing number of members take the e-mail version, which is cheaper for us (and them!) and enables easy redistribution within groups. This is now in a more screen friendly version - see the specimen page
Send notices or other copy to the Editor.
Deadlines are printed in each issue, but anything reaching him by the middle of March, June, September or December should make the issue for the succeeding quarter.
A collection of suggestions for those thinking of starting a new local history group. There are some general ideas on what a local history society might do and how to form one; a draft constitution, a note on legal considerations, and a brief booklist.Secretary.
Each month from May to August there is a guided walk in some part of the region, or a visit to some place of special interest not generally open to the public.
This year's programme is over, but if you have suggestions for 2012, contact the Organiser.
A booklet with the names and contact details of some sixty people who are ready to lead walks or give talks (with a list of the topics they offer). The Programme Secretary's prop! Currently we aim to bring out an updated edition every year.
We only include Speakers who have been recommended to us; and we are prepared to delete speakers who have serially disappointed. Recommendations or reports please to the List Editor
Membership of ALHA is open to groups or institutions for £6 a year and to individuals for £4. However, there is a £1 discount from these rates for members who choose to receive their Newsletter by e-mail. Group members get the Speakers List free and all members receive a copy of the Newsletter (£3 a year for each extra copy ordered or £2 for extra e-mail address) Members also benefit from the concessionary rate for admission to the Local History Day, and are welcome to attend Executive Committee meetings (see Events,Diary Host) To join, contact the Membership Secretary.
There are some eighty societies in ALHA, with a collective membership of about 10,000. Some are region-wide but with special interests like the Bristol & Avon Family History Society; many parish- or district-based. (See Groups for lists and locations).
We also reckon to keep in touch with institutions, such as Record Offices, Libraries, Museums and Universities, many of which are also subscribers. (See Sources)
We are managed by an elected Executive Committee meeting once a quarter, and operate through a small number of voluntary officers.
| President (Official Invitations & Acknowledgements) | Roger Angerson | 141 Overndale Road BS16 2RN 0117 956 9490 |
| Chairman | vacant | |
| Treasurer & Membership Secretary) | William Evans | 5 Parrys Grove. BS9 1TT 0117 968 4979 wm.evans@btopenworld.com |
| Editor: ALHA Books, Newsletter, Website | Jonathan Harlow | Hardings Cottage, Swan Lane, Winterbourne BS36 1RJ 01454 775731 Jonathan.Harlow@uwe.ac.uk |
| Summer Walks Organiser | Mike Hooper | Birchwood Lodge, 59 Birchwood Road BS4 4QL 0117 9775512 michael.hooper@bristol.gov.uk |
| Publicity Officer & Business Manager ALHA Books | Mike Leigh | 43 Long Eaton Drive, BS14 8AW 01275 542389 mikeleigh@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Secretary | Jan Packer | janapacker@aol.com |
| Editor Walks& Talks List | Sandy Tebbutt | 45 Nore Road, Portishead BS20 9JY 01275 843 556 sandytebbutt@hotmail.com |
ALHA was founded in 1976 with the then new County of Avon.
Avon County has long since been abolished, but ALHA still flourishes as an
independent organisation owing nothing to local or national government.
ALHA flourishes because, whether politicians choose to incorporate it or not,
the Avon region is an economic and social and historical entity, not so much
separate from as special within the grand historic counties of Somerset and
Gloucestershire.