Halstead Heritage Museum

02/07/2026

Our H&DLHS Secretary, Eileen Penn, has suggested that we bring to your attention this opportunity to help the Halstead & District Local History Society.

This is from the Benefact Group website, and a link is copied below:

"The Benefact Group Movement for Good is your chance to help us give away our profits to good causes.

The Benefact Group is a diverse family of specialist financial services businesses, driven by our shared ambition to do right by our customers and clients, and united by a common purpose to give all available profits to charity and good causes.

Being owned by a charity – Benefact Trust – places good intentions at the foundations of our Group. Whether in specialist insurance, investment management, broking or advisory, every business that makes up the Benefact Group is a specialist in their respective field. Together we provide responsible and sustainable investment, protection of iconic buildings and world heritage sites, and trusted advice to people and businesses.

In just one minute, you can nominate the charities, CICs or non-profits of your choice for our draws.
Every entry gives them the chance to receive a donation that could make a real difference.
We give all our available profits to charity and through this programme, one simple nomination can transform profit into impact."

https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000

The Halstead 21st Century Group has received the £1000 grant in the past, and so as a Committee we felt that we should bring this to all members and friends so that if you wish, you might nominate the Halstead & District Local History Society.

I have just made my nomination and it took less than a minute.

Please help if you have a moment.

Many thanks
Trevor Beal

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

17/05/2026

Halstead & District Local History Society have their May monthly meeting this coming Thursday (21st May) entitled “Here Comes the Bride!” – when Fran Saltmarsh makes a welcome return to present a talk looking at wedding garments and traditions through the ages, finishing with authentic dresses from the 1930s to the present day.
All visitors welcome. For more details, see below.

12/04/2026

Halstead & District Local History Society have their April monthly meeting this coming Thursday (16th April) entitled “Borley Rectory, the most haunted house in England” - In 1929 National newspaper headlines declared Borley Rectory was the most haunted house in England. Bryan Thurlow will bring this account of the ghostly goings on at the Essex rectory vividly to life, covering the period between the 1840s and 1940s. It features the Reverend Smith and his wife Mabel and ghost investigator, Harry Price who was sent to the rectory to find answers to the Smith's paranormal problems - but was this so-called expert all he professed to be?
All visitors welcome. For more details, see below.

15/03/2026

Halstead & District Local History Society have their March monthly meeting this coming Thursday (19th March) entitled “The Goose and the Common, a People’s History in Song” when we welcome back Phil Lyons from Colchester, with an examination of how contemporary folk songs can be a window into British Social History of the 18th and 19th Century. Topics include highwaymen, enclosure, the seafaring life and industrial change. Phil will also be singing some examples.
All visitors welcome. For more details, see below.

15/02/2026

Halstead & District Local History Society have their February monthly meeting this coming Thursday (19th February) entitled “Roman Life/ Dining” when Richard Bale will tell us about what the Romans typically ate in their three daily meals, with dinner being considered the most important. It also allowed an important social occasion - the dinner party. This exercised the social institution of patronage; allowed the host to show off the best tableware and mosaics; and to surprise the guests with the selection of food and wine on offer.
All visitors welcome. For more details, see below.

11/01/2026

Halstead & District Local History Society have their AGM and monthly meeting this coming Thursday (15th January) when Ray Clark makes a return visit to bring the story of The Weeley Pop Festival. Clacton-on-Sea Round table had been fundraising for many years for local charities and decided to hold a pop festival to attract a younger audience. They rented a local farmer’s field, built a makeshift stage and had permission for 5,000 festival goers to attend, but stopped counting when 150,000 turned up!
All visitors welcome. For more details, see below