In general we aim to share information and ideas, and to speak for local history interests where necesssary. Some of the regular services we provide are:
ALHA Bursaries may be awarded to members to help them in local history research 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 March 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. This year the topic was City, Village: Suburb?
Click here for a brief report from our Newsletter 114.
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. Send notices or other copy to the Editor.
A booklet with the names and contact details of some sixty available speakers with a list of the topics they offer. The Programme Secretary's prop! Currently we aim to bring out an updated edition every year, which also includes organised walks and visits.
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.
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.
Click here To see the Programme for 2007
, For further information, contact the Organiser.
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 seventy societies in ALHA: and the members of these come to over 3,500. Some are region-wide but with special interests like the Bristol & Avon Family History Society; many parish- or district-based. (See Groups) 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 and acknowledgements) | Roger Angerson 141 Overndale Rd, Downend, Bristol BS16 2RN Tel 0117 956 9490 |
| Chairman (Issues and concerns for attention) | Elizabeth White Tel 0117 986 3918 e-mail elizabethwhite@beeb.net |
| Vice Chairman | Vacant |
| Secretary (Executive Committee meetings) | the post is currently vacant. Applicants should call 0117 967 1362 or 0117 968 4979 |
| Treasurer & Membership Secretary (Subscriptions and Tickets for Local History Day) | Bill Evans 5 Parrys Grove, Bristol BS9 1TT 01179 684979 |
| Speakers List Editor (recommendations & reports) | Sandy Tebbutt 45 Nore Road, Portishead, BS20 9JY |
| Newsletter Editor & Web-site | Jonathan Harlow (ALHA) Hardings Cottage, Swan Lane, Winterbourne, South Glos BS36 1RJ Tel 01454 775731 e-mail harlowfamily@blueyonder.co.uk |
| Walks Organiser | Mike Hooper Birchwood Lodge, 59 Birchwood Rd, St Annes, Bristol BS4 4QL Tel 0117 977 5512 |
ALHA was founded in 1976 as an offshoot of a committee of the 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.