SAHAAS wins Newsletter Award

John Humphreys receiving the award from Prof. Caroline Barron, June 2019

The Society has been awarded the annual ‘Award for a Society Newsletter’ by the British Association for Local History (BALH).

In his report to members at the association’s AGM in London on 1 June 2019, Dr Alan Crosby, editor of the association’s journal, said:

‘For many … worthy reasons the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society newsletter has been deemed to be the best that has passed through the reviews editor’s hands this year. Firstly, it records a local history society in robust good health. There are reports here on what a local history society should be doing – not just lectures and outings but, for example, maintaining its own library. Secondly the newsletter pays particular attention to the physical reminders of St Albans’ past – there are short features on the state of the Roman walls and on the clock tower and also one on an almost forgotten Second World War water tank which has survived in woodland. Thirdly, the newsletter is punctuated with photographs taken by members. There is a lot to be said for the short article: it is an encouragement for it to be read. I read this newsletter from beginning to end and, although I have only ever spent one evening in St Albans in my life, found its 35 [sic] pages thoroughly absorbing.’

Sandy Walkington, President of SAHAAS, said, ‘This is a remarkable accolade, to be singled out from among all the local history societies across the nation. Our Society celebrates its 175th anniversary next year. It has seldom been in better health.

The Newsletter is sent out to members on a quarterly basis and digital copies of past editions are published here.