English Heritage News, Issue 1 - Summer 1984
In the summer of 1984, the first ever issue of English Heritage News was produced, announcing the launch of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission – or English Heritage, as it was called. This was the first ever edition of our Members’ Magazine which, forty years later, is still going strong although title, layouts, page extents and design may have changed a bit.
Launching English Heritage
Beyond news of the launch of English Heritage, the ‘magazine’ also included stories about restoration work at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland and Lord Montagu’s trip to Framlingham Castle where he got to spend some time with some Suffolk schoolchildren taking part in the ‘Living History’ Project.
English Heritage News was edited by then Head of Trading, Michael Webber. In 1986 Michael became director of music for English Heritage, arranging concerts at many sites including Audley End House and Gardens in Essex and Marble Hill in Richmond.
Kids Rule then and now
Several pages were dedicated to younger members with a historical adventure at Framlingham and Orford castles. In the ‘Keep’ section two Suffolk schoolchildren were sent back in time to the castles to try their hand at being medieval apprentices. Their experience gets rather exciting when a deputy’s constable is allegedly poisoned, Lady Gundrada is accused and a trial by combat takes place. On the following page, members are invited to explore our castles and look out for certain characteristics to help them work out how old the fortresses were and what life would have been like living in them. Members could then test their historical know-how with the Heritage Crossword – why not have a go yourself on page 6.
You can check out our more recent Kids Rule content in our dedicated Kids Area.