History Day 2025: Saturday 18 October

Higham Ferrers: Heritage at its best

Northamptonshire Heritage Forum with Higham Ferrers Tourism, Business and Community Partnership, The Friends of St Mary’s Higham Ferrers, and Higham Ferrers Archaeology and Research Society.

Higham Ferrers is a beautiful little market town with a rich history. Its origins are found towards the River Nene where the remains of a Roman settlement were found. In Saxon times Higham, meaning settlement on a hill, was owned by Gytha, Countess of Hereford. The Norman invasion saw the growth of the town and the building of a castle, now demolished, and St Mary’s Church which established the centre of the town.

Known as its most famous son, Henry Chichele expanded its architectural heritage to include the Bede House and later the Grammar School (now known as the Chantry Chapel) next to the Church. Another of his special legacies is Chichele College, a Scheduled Monument now sadly depleted by Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries but the main College building still stands housing free exhibitions and events. The ruins are surrounded by a well-tended medieval style garden.

Born in Higham Ferrers, Henry Chichele went on to become one of the longest serving Archbishops of Canterbury. He also founded All Souls College in Oxford and links between the two remain with All Soul’s ensuring through an annual donation, that the children of Higham Ferrers are aware of their town’s history and its most famous son.

Many Royal Charters were granted to the town from the first in 1251 granting freedom to many citizens which encouraged its growth and importance, seeing the church double in size and the granting of markets enabling trade to prosper. The final Charter by Queen Victoria was granted at a time when the Boot and Shoe industry became central to its industrial success. By the Second World War the factory of John White supplied boots to the soldiers in the forces. During the War, John White also provided a Spitfire for the war effort and residents contributed to HMS Quorn, a Hunt Class Destroyer that took part in the D-Day invasion in 1944.

This positive community spirit continues to thrive to the present day with many local groups, societies and individuals intent upon sharing the town's treasures and history.

Speakers

Richard Oberman is Higham born and bred. After Higham Junior School he went to Wellingborough Grammar School, and then the London School of Economics, graduating as BSc (Econ). At Jesus College Oxford he completed his English degree, and then progressed to the University of Colorado, where he took his MA Magna cum Laude. The remainder of his career was in further education at Tresham Institute, and in retirement, with the late David Wilson, he gave readings of literature as Duo throughout the County. He is not to be taken too seriously.

Carol Fitzgerald is a retired teacher who taught for many years at The Ferrers School and local sixth forms. As a long serving member of Tourism, she is the Chair of the Chichele College Management Committee and Secretary to The Friends of St Mary’s. Carol is passionate about the rich heritage of the town and works with several groups of volunteers to ensure that these treasurers are shared widely.

Olwen Mayes originates from the historic town of Raunds and has lived in Higham for 28 years. She founded HiFARS in 2007. Sixteen years after her initial research into several sherds of pottery discovered in the Roman excavation in Kings Meadow Lane, Higham Ferrers, Olwen as Chair of HiFARS, embarked on a 1,500 mile trip to achieve one of two life`s dreams – to get the pot sherds replicated as whole pots by Professor Arnau Trullen at his studio in the same town where the originals were made nearly 2,000 years ago!

Seth Partridge-Underwood is the club leader at Gateway which is a social club for adults with learning disabilities. This club offers a range of activities that are accessible, inclusive and lots of fun, and involves regular use of the heritage sites of Chichele College and the Duchy Barn Garden. He has worked in the Health and Social care sector for 25 years with experience ranging from being a support worker to a registered manager of a care/support service.

Professor Sarah Scott is a professor of archaeology at the University of Leicester and Director of the University’s Heritage Hub. Sarah’s research interests include everyday life under Roman rule in the East Midlands and the history of archaeology. Her primary passion is for community engagement. Current collaborations include the Irchester Field School at the Chester House Estate and a wide range of community heritage projects in Leicester.

Victoria Wicks is an English actress who has appeared in numerous theatre, television and radio roles, most recently in ‘Drop the Dead Donkey’. The play completed a national tour, where Victoria reprised her role as Sally Smedley. Victoria is also the granddaughter of H E Bates, whose novels and short stories often featured places he knew in Rushden and Higham Ferrers.

Exhibition

During the History Day there will also be an exhibition of the ‘Higham Heroes Street Name’ project at the Hope Methodist Church.

How to book

Two options: you can either complete the online form on this page OR download the printed form below it. The cost is £27.50 per person and includes refreshments and lunch. If there are any special dietary requirements, it is important to list these against the member’s name on the form where indicated. You can include up to four attendees on the form but only one contact address is required. Admission tickets will be sent out from mid-September - a stamped, addressed envelope needs to be provided for this purpose.
Closing date: Monday 6 October 2025.

If you prefer, you can download a printed form and send it to the Forum by post, along with a stamped, addressed envelope for your tickets. You can include a cheque or pay by bank transfer, as above.

The Northamptonshire Heritage Forum gives formal notice that it makes arrangements for this event as Agents on behalf of each member attending and no liability can be accepted by the Forum for any injury, loss or inconvenience caused by any person in consequence of the event.