Mayor's Community History Fortnight, November 2019

Mayor's Office

1. Commencing Saturday 9th November, 2019, the Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Simon Speller has declared the Mayor’s Community History Fortnight under the slogan “Share your memories and stories of the new town in the 1950s and 1960s!“, with a variety of events taking place across the town, including walks and talks and a look at community New Town history sources available from Stevenage Museum and Hertfordshire Libraries for those  who are interested in researching the history of Stevenage New Town.

The full schedule of events is as follows:

Saturday 9^th NOVEMBER 2019

11am – 12.30pm

Walk and Talk the Line of Road 9    Code: A/1

Fairlands Valley South. Perhaps the most famous community protest campaign, 1961 -1978. And the iconic Canyon adventure playground. Meet 11am South Car Park opposite Stevenage F.C. football ground.

1pm – 3pm

Pioneers Celebration Tea: memories of Betty Pickersgill, Pat Palmer, Ted Ansell & others  Code: A/2

At the Canyon

Sunday 10^th NOVEMBER 2019

1pm – 3pm

The First Homes: Stony Hall and Sish Lane Walk and Talk   Code: B

A circular walk where the first New Town houses and flats were built, and stories of the strong-minded women who helped shape Stevenage. Meet 1pm at Popple Way shops.

Thursday 14^th NOVEMBER 2019

10am – 12 noon

Community New Town History Resources: Stevenage Museum Code: C/1

With Simon and Alan Ford. This is for those interested in researching New Town history

2pm – 4pm

Community New Town History Resources: Stevenage Central Library Code: C/2

With Simon and Janice Brooker. This is for those interested in researching New Town history

Saturday 16^th NOVEMBER 2019

11am – 12 noon

Rockingham Way Walk and Talk Code: D/1

This area has strong associations with construction workers and the pioneer Mayor Mick Cotter in particular. Meet 11am at Rockingham Way shops.

12.30pm -3pm

Celebrating the Pioneer Mayors: Alf Luhman, Mick Cotter, Bill and Hilda Lawrence Code: D/2

By Mayoral Invitation only. Civic Suite, Daneshill House.

Wednesday 20^th NOVEMBER 2019

11.30am – 1pm

Bedwell Walk and Talk Code: E/1

As with Rockingham Way, many of the New Town pioneers lived here. Meet 11.30am at Bedwell Community Centre.

1pm – 3pm

Strong-Minded Women: Pioneers Grace Drackford and Betty Raine Code: E/2

Bedwell Community Centre. Share memories and stories over a light buffet. Enjoy the music!

Friday 22nd NOVEMBER 2019

12 noon – 2pm

Strong-minded Women: Monica Felton, Evelyn Denington and the First Pedestrian Town Centre Code: F

An interactive talk at the Museum with Simon. Light buffet.

The events, which are fully listed in a poster downloadable below, are all open to the public except the celebration of pioneer mayors of Stevenage taking place at Daneshill House on Saturday 16th November, which is by mayoral invitation only. To book a place at any of the events, groups or individuals should contact the Mayor’s office by email at the.mayor@stevenage.gov.uk or by telephone on 01438 242227, quoting the reference code shown.

This post was updated on 14th November 2019 to correct the date ‘ Fri 21st’ to ‘Fri 22nd’. Please note that the downloadable poster still wrongly refers to Fri 21st instead of the correct Fri 22nd. Ed.