Sandy Historical Research Group - preserving our roots!
Sandy Historical Research Group was formed in 2002, in order to capture the history of this Bedfordshire town during the last 150 years or so (and further back if possible).
A number of projects have been undertaken - some completed, others in progress
This website was set up to promote the group's activities and also invite contributions from interested parties.
The group also produces a Newsletter twice a year (Spring & Autumn and FREE to members) - "SHRUB". This is full of articles written by members and supporters, about the history of Sandy and its residents over the last 150 years or so. Back copies are available @ 50p, the Spring & Autumn editions are 60p. All can be posted for an additional 50p per copy. For back copies, please email us.
Sandy Historical Research Group published the first volume of 'Pictorial Memories of Sandy'. The book contains 40 views and images depicting the life of Sandy, dating back in some cases to the turn of the 20th century and up to the 1950's/ early 1960's. There are still some copies available.
The second volume of 'Pictorial Memories of Sandy' was published on November 2nd 2009 and is now available online, from any Committee Member, or from Sandy Tourist Information Centre. Click here for more details about Volume 2. We also have a Special Offer (while stocks last), for Volumes 1 & 2 together - see the Books & Memorabila page for more details.
Projects:
- The Sandy Show - 1869 to the present day. Many of the photographs in our gallery represent scenes from shows held at Sandye Place in the early 1900's through to its demise in 1953, when the property was sold off to Bedfordshire County Council and what is now Sandye Place Middle School.
- In addition, Michael Rutt has carried out some research into the origins of a few of our local place names.
- The group has already commenced with audio and video interviews of some of Sandy's senior citizens, in order to capture their personal recollections of the last century.
- Forum - please note that the Forum is now back online after we suffered severe technical issues caused by a former provider. Existing users will need to re-register in order to post to the site as regrettably we have not been able to recover the data from the original forum database. We apologise for any inconvenience - the cause of which was beyond our control.
- On 9th December 2009, the Chairman and the Editor were kindly invited to speak on Biggles FM. During the interview, we were able to discuss the group's activities and our future plans. Weare grateful to Alan Waring for the opportunity to 'spread the word'.
- We are going to join Facebook in the next few weeks and possibly even put a short video on You Tube, promoting the group and our recent publications. More of this later.
- The Members Area is still unforunately in the process of rebuilding after our enforced move to a new provider. We apologis for this and hope to have it up and running shortly.
If you have any information about life in general in Sandy, or something specific about any of the above projects, then please get in touch. Visit our Forum (which is now back up and running) and air your knowledge. Or email us.
The group has recently presented several exhibitions of some of its collection of old photo's and artefacts. We intend to continue with these over the coming months and years.
Go to the Diary Section for news of the next scheduled event.
If you want to learn more about modern day Sandy and a brief snapshot of the town's history over time, please visit:
Sandy Community Website.
If you want to know more about Sandy Historical Research Group, please email the Chairman or use our Contact form.
For issues regarding this website, please email the Webmaster
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