Harpenden public lecture to explore town's history

Dr Tony Berk will present 'The History and Origins of Harpenden' at the Eric Morecambe Centre on Tuesday, April 22, at 8pm.

The talk is hosted by the Harpenden & District Local History Society.

Dr Berk proposes a "more subtle and rather surprising" explanation for Harpenden's rise, challenging the common belief that the railways were solely responsible.

2258 Lawes Testimonial Laboratory. (Image: Harpenden & District Local History Society) He said: "Despite its predominance today, Harpenden's origin, rather surprisingly, is somewhat later and more subservient than other towns and villages in the locality.

"For some time, it was just a small part of the earlier, and much more important, village and manor of Wheathampstead.

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"Rothamsted Manor was only a sub-manor of Wheathampstead.

"St Nicholas Church was a mere chapel-of-ease at first and remained a daughter church of St Helen's in Wheathampstead until the mid-19th century."

Rothamsted Manor. (Image: Harpenden & District Local History Society) The Harpenden Museum, located in the EMC, will open at 7pm prior to the lecture.

The society's previous lecture drew a record attendance of 185 people.

Entry is free for members and students.

Visitors are welcome, with no prior booking necessary.

Non-members are requested to make a donation of £5 at the door.