Initially the Centre housed collections which concentrated on the Glaven Ports of Blakeney, Wiveton and Cley, but they now include villages extending from Stiffkey to Weybourne along the coast and inland to Binham, Holt, Saxlingham, Langham and Cockthorpe and adjacent villages.
The collections include a wide diversity of resources from books and guides on local and family history to accounts and records of villages and churches. Some of the material, such as the census records, parish registers and land tax returns are on microform or CDs and it is necessary to use the Centre's equipment to view these records. There are also growing collections of photographs and shipping records.
The recent donation of a copy of the Kenneth Allen papers (the originals are in the Norfolk Record Office) greatly expands the information available on the three core villages of Blakeney, Wiveton and Cley.
Items for Sale
The Glaven Historian issues 6 to10 - The journal of the BAHS
The Glaven Historian issues 1 to 5 - A compilation in pdf format on a single CD
Blakeney in the 18th Century - Produced by the BAHS
Postcards depicting local scenes in years gone by
CD entitled St Margaret's Cley-next-the-Sea - The Medieval Building History by Gerald Randall - April 2007. The architecture of this wonderful church has been a passion of the author for many years and he has drawn on his knowledge of churches throughout Europe to produce this scholarly and detailed account of St Margaret's. It discusses not only architectural features and the underlying geometry, but also the historical context including the families involved and the subsequent enlargement of the building. The CD is prepared in MS Word and includes some 53 pages of text, drawings and plans plus photographs. It is a must for anybody interested in the early history of the Church and the area.
Access
The Centre welcomes everybody, but we do ask people not to bring babies or animals, while children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. It is recommended that you phone or write to book a place if you intend to look at the census and parish registers.
The Centre is open to all on the first and last Tuesday in every month from 10.00am 12.00 noon and there is ample parking space. It can also be opened by special arrangement but this is entirely dependant on the availability of volunteers and there will be a modest charge for this service. The entrance is at the rear of Blakeney Village Hall.
The Centre is open to BAHS members on the following Monday afternoons, February 4th, March 3rd and April 1st: 2pm till 4pm. There is a £1.00 entrance fee to cover heating costs.
Open Day - Saturday August 23rd 2008
This year the History Centre Open Day will take the form of an Exhibition in St Nicholas Church Blakeney. Further details will be announced once available.
This is an extra opportunity for summer visitors to purchase past and present copies of the Glaven Historian.
Enquiries
The Society is an entirely voluntary organization and regrettably cannot provide a research service. You are encouraged, however, to visit the History Centre, during normal opening hours, where help and guidance can be provided. Before visiting the Centre, enquirers may wish to send a stamped addressed envelope (A5) for a copy of the Centre's brochure. If a clear account of your enquiry is included it may be possible to provide more information on the relevant resources available.
Document Donations
If you have any old photographs, maps, deeds, records or documents about the area and would be happy for the Centre to make copies, then please contact the History Centre Manager.
History Centre Manager
Pam Peake 01263 740388, or write to: History Centre, Blakeney Area Historical Society, Blakeney Village Hall, Langham Road, Blakeney, Norfolk NR25 7PG
