Happy Birthday to Royston Town Council – 50 years old this year!Â
The Local Government Act 1972 received the Royal assent in that year and two years later – in 1974 – the old Royston Urban District Council became Royston Town Council.
A lot of the responsibilities of the old Urban District Council were transferred to the newly established North Herts District Council (now known as just North Herts Council). This left the Town Council with responsibility for Allotments, Christmas Lights, Market Hill Rooms, the May Fayre, Stile and Green Walk Plantations, the Market, the Cave and the War Memorial.
Councillor F John Smith, a much-loved and well-respected local councillor, was a chairman of the former Urban District Council and continued his civic work with both the new Town Council and North Herts District Council. He passed away in 2021 leaving a lasting legacy for Royston. Notably, he pushed constantly for the building and opening of Royston Leisure Centre
There have been many changes to Royston over the last 50 years, notably the opening of the A505 Royston By-pass which took a lot of heavy traffic away from the Town Centre. There has also been the opening of the Leisure Centre and the advent of Town Twinning. The Royston Museum is a comparatively new addition having opened only 40 years ago! Both the Royston & District Town Twinning Association and the town’s museum are celebrating anniversaries this year – 50 years and 40 years respectively.
To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, Royston Town Council are holding an exhibition at the Town Hall on Saturday 8th June from 10am to 1pm. There will be a display of photos of Royston in the 1970s and a rolling slide show with an audio background of popular music from the era. The Town Twinning Association will be displaying twinning memorabilia and Royston Museum will be exhibiting artefacts from the 1970s. Entrance is free and tea/coffee and biscuits will be available. Royston Town Council Exhibition, Saturday 8th June 10am-1pm, Royston Town Hall.
To read more about the Town Council’s news visit and for the results of their resident’s survey visit
Royston Town Council, Royston Town Hall, Melbourn St, Royston SG8 7DA – www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk
