ALHA is the umbrella group for local history and archaeology societies in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
We help member societies by compiling an annual list of recommended speakers, and by publicising societies’ activities through our newsletter and website. We organise a local history study day each year, and our AGM is accompanied by a lecture with a distinguished speaker.
Each year we publish 3-
We have strong links with the Regional History Centre at the University of the West of England, and with the libraries, archives, museums and other organisations in our area.
We offer both Society and individual membership, and further details can be found here..
Click on About Us for how to contact ALHA
Click on Publications for information about our publishing programme, and how you can contribute to the written history of our area.
Click on Events for details of the meetings, walks and other activities organised by our member societies.
Click on Groups for links to our member societies, and details of what they do and how you can contact them.
Click on Archive for back copies of ALHA publications “Quest” and “Avon Past”.
Wilkins of Westbury & Redland 
The latest ALHA publication was launched on Saturday 22 April at our Local History Day at UWE. Written by Professor Richard Coates, it is a study of Rev. Henry John Wilkins who was a progressive force in local politics before entering the great tradition of English parsons who have been active local historians.
Full details of all ALHA books and an order form are on our Publications page.
You can also now buy ALHA publications online, and pay by card, through GENfair.
Latest Newsletter
The End of June Newsletter is now available and can be downloaded here.
Summer Walks
The third in our programme of summer walks will be on Sunday 9 July at Olveston. Local resident and keen amateur historian Eric Garrett will tell us about this small Gloucestershire village.
The final walk is at Clevedon on Sunday 13 August, when local resident and historian Jane Lilly will be our guide.
For full details, click for a copy of the programme.
ALHA Subscriptions now due
Subscriptions for 2017/8 are due on 1 April each year. Rates remain unchanged, and to renew your membership please download the separate forms for either group or individual membership. For further details, or if you are not already a member, please go to About Us.
ALHA AGM and Joseph Bettey Lecture
This will take place on Wednesday 18 October at 7 p.m., when the speaker will be Professor Helen Mellor. Her talk will be "How to live in the modern city: women's contribution in Bristol 1860s-
Grants
ALHA offers grants to assist local history research, publications, events, conservation and other projects which accord with its charitable objectives. The Committee has wide discretion over the kind of work to be assisted and the terms of the assistance. Recent grants include one to support the publication of volumes of the Victoria County History to cover parts of Gloucestershire.
Details of the conditions and how to apply can be had from the Treasurer.
Bristol’s Brilliant Archaeology - 29 July 2017
Join museum archaeologists and a whole host of local societies, re-
Excavations at Oldbury on Severn
From 20 June to 3 July, A Forgotten Landscape and Dig Ventures are running a series of excavations investigating the iron age hillfort at Oldbury on Severn and its influence on the medieval village. There are tours and talks and exhibitons, with further details here.
Beckford’s Tower Open Days
The Landmark Trust will be opening the Apartment at Beckford’s Tower, Lansdowne Road, Bath on Saturday and Sunday 8 & 9 July. Admission is free, and there is also a 2 for 1 offer for visitors to the Tower Museum. Click for details.
Clevedon & District Archaeological Society Tour of Yorkshire
This tour is for four nights from 14 to 18 August. Cost in the region of £500. Further details are available here.
Banwell Society of Archaeology - August 3-day event
A three day archaeological event will be held from 11 to 13 August.
On Friday 11 August, Vince Russet will talk on public involvement in the heritage of our countryside. On Saturday 12 August, there will be finds identification, village walks, old photos, displays and other activities. On Sunday 13 August, there will be visits to the Banwell Bone Caves (pre-
Know Your Place - West of England - Now Complete
The final phase of the expansion of Know Your Place has now been completed and coverage has been extended to the whole of the historic County of Somerset. Historic maps of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bath & North-
Bristol Archives
This is the new name for Bristol Record Office, and it now has a new logo. Click the logo for the Bristol Archives website.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Full details of the varied programme of events at Winterbourne Medieval Barn during 2017 can be found at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk. Events include apple-
Bristol & Avon Family History Society - Family History Fair
The 2017 Family History Fair will be held at BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG on Saturday 9 September from 10 to 4. Further details are available here.
What’s On at Bristol Museums & Archives
Click for details of the exhibitions, tours, walks and other activities taking place in Bristol in future weeks and months.
Heritage events in Bath
Click for details of the exhibitions, tours, and talks taking place in Bath.
Crossing the river at Pensford. The ALHA Summer Walk, July 4 2016
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Photos
The photo of Chipping Sodbury market was found on the Facebook page entitled Chipping Sodbury Photographs. The photo of Stanton Drew Stone Circle is by Michael Day and is taken from flickr. The photo of the Netham Lock in Bristol was taken by the webmaster. Click on each photo to see a full-
The photo of Pensford is by the webmaster.
Avon Local History and Archaeology is a Registered Charity. No. 270930
This website was last updated on Monday, June 26, 2017. If you spot any errors or omissions, please advise the webmaster.
News and Forthcoming Events
