The Hundred Parishes Society
Selection of local books – Photo courtesy of The Hundred Parishes Society
The Society has now sold all 800 copies of its first hardback book The Hundred Parishes: An Introduction. There will be no reprint. Although we have open minds on the possibility of a second book. Preparation of our first book took several years. And was only possible because of the vast resource of what had already been written. In far more detail, about individual places, people and events. The Society holds more than 300 local books and pamphlets.
Hundred Parishes Website Updated
The Society’s website www.hundredparishes.org.uk has recently been updated to ensure. Amongst other things, that individual parish introductions include references to their share of available literature. A good number of local books are available. Either in person or online, from the four excellent outlets that each sold many copies of the Hundred Parishes book. Including Harts and the Tourist Information Centre in Saffron Walden. Also the TIC in Bishop’s Stortford. And Between The Lines bookshop in Great Bardfield.
Parishes in Stansted Mountfitchet
A few parishes, as yet, have no book of their own, or perhaps just a pamphlet available in the church. And whilst other places have extensive coverage. One of the Society’s trustees, Peter Sanders. Who conducted research for 30 years. Before compiling a definitive history of Stansted Mountfitchet.
Another easy-to-read classic, Littlebury: a Parish History, was produced by a team of authors. I have recently been absorbed by a largely pictorial history of Sewards End. And by the 4th edition of Around Cold Christmas. Also not least because the latter has frequent references to my wife’s distant relatives. Clavering’s Jacqueline Cooper always seems to be working on yet another book about Clavering. Or Saffron Walden. Several local history societies have generated books or booklets. Or have work in progress. So rich is our local history that there is no shortage of reading material. Or potential subject matter.
Ken McDonald, Secretary