Local history news from around the UK.

Local History Calendar.

A New Archives Policy?
Robert Howard describes how the new Government policy on archives and its impact on local historians.

Using Historical Novels
Authentic historical source material may frequently be found in works of fiction, Dr Trevor James discusses the great value of such writings to local historians.

The Longest Pier in the World
Michael Pudney considers the building and operation of the pier at Southend-on-Sea and its impact on the locality despite a somewhat blemished history of fires and maritime collisions.

Play for the Past
'Harvesting the Past', an oral history project covering the 1930s to 1950s in rural Worcestershire, is described by Ellie Stevenson.

A Place for Everyone
Professor Donald Read contributes a thoughtful and authoritative article establishing the link between local and family history by citing his own family's past.

Book and periodical reviews