BAALHS MORE ABOUT THE MERGER

The merger of Bedford Archaeological & Local History Society (BALHS, founded 1888) and the Bedford Society (founded 1966), to form Bedford Architectural, Archaeological & Local History Society, has been approved by the Annual General Meetings of both Societies, in each case by large majorities. The new Society (BAALHS) therefore came into being on 17th September 2008.

The merger had been discussed and approved by both Societies’ Committees, following a recommendation by a Working Party consisting of Richard Wildman (Chairman of both Societies), Margaret Carpenter (Treasurer of both Societies), David Fletcher (Bedford Society Secretary) and Alan Crawley (committee member and website controller of both Societies).

Both Societies are interested in Bedford’s history and architecture. BALHS has a long tradition of concern for local and national archaeology, reflected in its title, and the Bedford Society, which has regular meetings with the Borough Conservation Officer at the Town Hall, comments on planning proposals affecting listed buildings and conservation areas. This work will continue through a Conservation Sub-Committee of the new Society.

BALHS was founded in 1888, originally as a Natural History Society, and is therefore one of the oldest such voluntary societies in the country. The word Archaeological was added to the title c.1914, and the Natural History element disappeared after 1946. The Society celebrated its centenary in 1988, and soon afterwards added Local History to the title, since there was no longer any active participation by most members in local archaeology, but their interest in that subject, and in local history generally, remained strong. The Society’s annual programme includes monthly talks at Putnoe Heights Church Centre during the winter, and a summer season of car trips to, and walks in, places of interest in the Bedford area and beyond.

The Bedford Society was founded in 1966, initially to oppose the building of the Inner Relief Road (opened as Longholme Way in 1974) across the river at Newnham, and fought two public inquiries, in 1967 and 1970. The Society’s views on the design of the new bridge, and the provision of alternative public open space, gained the support of the Inspectors. The Society then campaigned for the preservation of historic buildings, including the Blore Façade in Harpur Street, Priory Terrace in Bromham Road, and the Howard Chapel in Mill Street. The Society’s proposals for Bedford’s first Conservation Areas were adopted by the County Council. More recently, the Society’s representations in 2003 against the demolition of the fine Victorian houses at 41-47 Goldington Road, helped secure their conversion back into family homes, after many years of office use followed by neglect.

The BAALHS Committee confidently expects that the new Society will continue into the 21st Century with renewed vigour, now that two parallel organisations have decided to merge for their mutual benefit.