Abbots Langley Local History Society
Winter Programme 2025-2026
Talks are free for ALLHS members; visitors are welcome for a suggested donation of £3.
Manor House Sports & Social Centre Gallows Hill Lane,
Abbots Langley WD5 0DD
Bar and Refreshments
Please read the conditions for attending the hall in order to comply with Abbots Langley Parish Council requirements for use of their facility.
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For the time being, we plan to continue simultaneously broadcasting talks by Zoom. This facility is available to ALLHS members who will be invited by email to the Zoom talks.
To become a member, please email membership@allhs.org.uk for an application form. The membership year runs from 1 June and is currently £10 per year for single membership and £15 per year for family membership.
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Talks start at 8pm - Zoom meetings open at 7.45pm (*AGM starts at 7.30pm).
Click on a talk title (or the + sign) for more details of the talk.
| Monday 29th September 2025 |
In conjunction with Scott Hastie, David Spain produced the series of local photographic history books including “Abbots Langley, A Hertfordshire Village”. In this presentation, David will be sharing some of the old photographs of the area from his extensive archive. |
David Spain |
| Monday 27th October 2025 |
Between August 1940 and January 1941, Watford faced 24 air raids, and six V1 rockets fell in 1944. In total 58 people were killed. Local Historian Helen George’s presentation covers the bombings, the shelters and first aid posts, the Air Raid Protection teams, rescue squads, and the Town Hall control centre. |
Helen George |
| Monday 24th November 2025 |
Change of programme In 1869, John James Sainsbury and his wife Mary Ann opened a small dairy shop in Drury Lane, Holborn. Trevor will illustrate the history of the family business through four generations up to its floatation on the London Stock Exchange in 1973. Trevor worked for Sainsbury’s from 1975 to 2002 and during that time he became fascinated by its history. He has drawn upon the Sainsbury archive at the Museum of London Docklands to prepare and illustrate his talk. |
Trevor Baker |
| Monday 15th December 2025 |
Information to be added. |
Lesley Brooks and Delva O’Regan |
| Monday 26th January 2026 |
Information to be added. |
Michael Long |
| Monday 23rd February 2026 |
The story of Samuel Salter, Publican and Brewer, and the rise and decline of Rickmansworth’s most important brewing family |
Chris Hillier |
| Monday 30th March 2026 |
Information to be added. |
Fabian Hiscock |
| Monday 27th April 2026 |
Information to be added. |
Jon Mein |
| Monday 18th May 2026* |
Information to be added. |
Ed Coan |
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