The Society was delighted that so many invitees were there in The Old Bull to celebrate this milestone celebration with them on 1st May.
Many of our esteemed members have been part of this journey from the very beginning, and some can trace their involvement to the inaugural meeting in January 1965. Their contributions were instrumental in laying the foundation of the Society. The first Annual Meeting took place on 19th February 1965 at Garden Walk School, where the first committee was elected, marking a significant moment in our history.
A Constitution was drawn up setting the guiding principles and vision for the Society. With this solid framework in place, The History Society began organising lecture evenings and outings to local places of interest, fostering a shared passion for history.
By September 1974, the original aim of the Society was realised, when Royston’s first museum opened in a small room in the back of the Town Hall. Open on Saturdays only and manned by volunteers.
A better solution emerged in April 1984, when the Museum that we know and love, finally opened in what used to be the Congregational Church schoolroom, where it remains today. In November 2021, a charitable trust was formed to take over the management of the Museum. The Royston Museum Trust will always be grateful to the History Society who started the collection and legally transferred it in March 2025 into the safe hands of the Museum Director and Curator.
As we celebrate this 60th anniversary, we honour the legacy of those who came before us and look forward to a bright future, ensuring that our heritage is preserved for generations to come.
Our thanks go to Pam and Mike Wright for putting together the photographic exhibition and to Emma Canterbury our Museum Director and Sophie Riches our Museum Curator for the Slide Show all being displayed in the Ballroom, on the same evening. Our thanks also go to Clive Porter for recording this event in these photographs.
The photographic exhibition will be on display at the first meeting of the new season at the Town Hall on Thursday, 2nd October 2025
To find out more about the group visit: www.frierley.com/roystonlocalhistory
Photo credits: Clive Porter Photography & Michael Frierley
