News for History & heritage

What was life like once conscription began in 1916, and many local furniture factories suffered extreme labour shortages?

What is a chairmaker's pub and how do these fascinating places help tell the story of the cottage industries of the Chilterns?

In the early 19th century, the Government was becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of public drunkenness after a reduction in the duty on gin had led to the proliferation of plush “gin palaces”...

The second of two parts of this fascinating story of Benjamin North and his furniture factory in West Wycombe. This article features many historical photos of the factory and the old chair brochures that were produced. Such an amazing story of how one factory became an icon in the region and in the chair making industry during that time.

Piddington village was started as the vision of one man, Benjamin North, furniture manufacturer and devout Wesleyan Methodist.

An interesting account that many of us can relate to, as Graham begins to ask himself who his ancestors were and the role they played in the cottage industries of the Chilterns many years ago. The first part of this research, with more to come soon!