Books/DVDs & other publications available
The Trust was born of an idea conceived and initially nurtured by the Rotary Club of Alfreton during the winter of 1983.
Various local social, civic and educational organisations joined together with interested individuals and formed a steering committee from which the society was established.
An application was made to the Charity Commission and The Alfreton and District Heritage Trust was officially created as Registered Charity Number 515711.
In 1984 it was hoped it might be possible to develop a Heritage Centre in Alfreton House, one of the oldest buildings in Alfreton dating back to c.1650. This scheme and many others failed but the Trust continued with its dream.
In 1985 a leaflet was produced giving the objects and aims of the Trust.
In 1990 a booklet was produced by the Trust, “History Around Alfreton”
The Booklet was launched on 11th March 1991; a huge success, selling 2000 copies very quickly and going into a second print run. It gave a fresh impetus to the idea of a Heritage Centre detailing the history of Alfreton and the 14 villages in the old Alfreton Urban District.
1992 saw the first two exhibits donated to the Trust, 2 incendiary bombs that had fallen on Alfreton in April 1941. These were donated by Mrs Margaret Roughton on behalf of her late husband. They were displayed for a short time in Alfreton House awaiting a permanent home !
In January 1993 the Tourism Officer of Amber Valley District Council – Reg. Whitworth
suggested we may be able to use the old Chapel in Alfreton Cemetery as a Heritage Centre. A
site visit was arranged together with a visit to a similar project at Marlpool, Heanor Heritage Centre.
In May 1993 we were given the key for the Chapel and Alfreton Heritage centre was born ! It was opened formally by the Mayor of Amber valley on 3rd July.
In September 1993 Hugh McKenzie the original Chairman of the Trust was elected President after almost 10 years in keeping the project alive. Without his dedication and determination the Trust could not have continued.
1994 saw a set of 8 postcards reproduced, showing 8 popular scenes of Alfreton dating from 1895 to 1957. Each card was available in sepia or black and white.
July 1994 – the first anniversary saw the unveiling of an original 1835 copy of the Sanderson Map – “20 miles around Mansfield”
October 1994 – the launch of “Around Alfreton” the Old Photograph Series which sold 1000 copies in a week.
November 1994 - a stone plaque “ Alfreton Heritage Centre “ courtesy of the Rotary Club was erected on the outside of the Centre.
5th March 1995 – the first Alfreton Amble led by Trust member Martyn Hart took the visitors on a historic town trail.
May 1995 – new display boards from the royalties of the “Around Alfreton” book.
VE Day Anniversary 1995 – a display was put on at the Library
VJ day Anniversary 1995 – a display in Alfreton park
September 1996 – the Heritage Open Days programme saw the opening of the House of Confinement for the first time in many years.
April 1997 – a 3 page article on the Trust appeared in the St Martins Church magazine.
July 1997 – Mr Shields of South Normanton loaned us his working model of the Old Post Mill that was formerly located off Alfreton Road, South Normanton.
July 1998 saw the unveiling and re-dedication of the war memorial to four members of the Nat West Bank who gave their lives in the Great War. The plaque had been located in the vaults of the bank after research from member George Lyttle and loaned to us by the bank after careful restoration.
1999 saw the launch of our first video “ Alfreton’s Past in Pictures” selling 1500 copies in 2 months. This was inspired by the late Fred Alvey and Eric Williamson slide shows and from a dream by local Alfretonian Steve Lilley.