Mr David Bailey Chairman
Mr Michael Shipton Vice-Chairman
Ms Brenda Beck Minutes Secretary
Mr James Sheehan Treasurer
MS Karen Eames Committee Member
Mc Carolyn Smith Committee Member
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The Finedon Local History Society was founded in 2000 by a small group of local people who share an interest in the history of Finedon and its inhabitants. In October 2001, the Society was fortunate to be able to move its resources into the historically significant Friends’ Meeting House, on the High Street in Finedon, courtesy of its then owner, the late Mr Jim Gibbard.
The historic significance of the Friends’ Meeting House offered a natural home for such a society, it being the oldest surviving non-conformist place of worship in Northamptonshire. Built in 1690, The Meeting House, originally sporting a thatched roof, was home to the Society of Friends, otherwise known as the Quakers, who had a very strong presence in Finedon during that time. The construction of the Meeting House was built on, what in those days, formed the extreme edge of Finedon, in order to be as far away as possible from the Parish Church, whose doctrine its followers did not share.
Today, the aims of the Finedon Local History Society are to research, record and promote the rich history of Finedon and its inhabitants. At the present time the society holds over 2000 photographic images and other items of Finedon memorabilia most of which have been kindly donated to the society.
The Society holds ten monthly meetings each year, typically on the fourth Monday of each month, covering a range of historical and social subjects of local, county or national interest. The Society has also produced several publications notably “The Yards of Finedon” by former chairman, the late Mr Malcolm Peet and “Ironstone Quarries, Railways and Tramways around Finedon” by Mr Francis Terry. A full list of society publications will soon be available for purchase on this website.
Currently the society has a paid-up membership of in excess of a hundred members, which includes a number of “ex-pats” who still take a keen interest in Finedon. The Society is also able to give presentations on a number of Finedon related subjects to organisations within the local community.
Sadly, in May 2019, the Society was given notice to move from the Friends’ Meeting House, due to its impending sale. Meetings now take place in The Mission Room, Well Street, directly across “The Green” from the Meeting House.
To contact the Society to enquire about Publications and request information that may take some research Contact
Carolyn Smith,
Tel: 01933 681492
Email: davidsmith666@btinternet.com
From Tingdene to Finedon 