The Buntingford Heritage Centre started life as a working party in January 1998. After several meetings to iron things out, the first exhibition was on Carnival Day, 20th June 1998. The continual openings started in September of that year, opening the first and third Sundays in the month. The exhibitions were changed every three months. This three month cycle lasted five years. We then went to four month cycles. This lasted another  three and a half years. Taking into account public opinion we then opted for a permanent display consisting of seven different exhibitions depicting aspects of Buntingford's past. This format has been running for just over three years.  We were given a grant by the Lottery Fund which enabled us to commission a full wall display showing a short history of the town.

      In that time we have put on 57 different exhibitions, We have opened the centre for special interest groups, published leaflets, held talks and fund raising events and have opened to the public nearly 300 times until the openings were handed over to the Town Clerk's office in 2008. The opening times were then changed from Sunday openings to being open Monday to Thursday.

       The initial committee of nine people has changed over the years with only three of the original members from day one continually still active. They happen to be the three executive members, Chairman Ashley Cantor, Secretary Jenny Dingley and Treasurer Marilyn Cantor. Unfortunately recruiting new members has not been easy, in fact virtually impossible.  We are currently down to six members with only three regular members turning up for meetings.

      After a lot of heartache we have decided to downsize the centre to a small display in  the foyer of the Manor House. This display will be altered occasionally and will be accessible when the Manor House is open. Goods will still be available to purchase from the Town Clerk. The other rooms will be handed back to the Town Council.

          On Carnival Day the Centre will be open in a slightly different format but still in the Manor House. Goods will be on sale at a reduced price and they will also be available from the Carnival Control stall in the High Street. Come along to the Centre on Carnival Day just to see what you may have missed.     

  The artefacts that we have accrued will be stored by the Town Council along with other goods that the council preserve as custodians of the town’s heritage.  These items will all be logged and if any member of the public would like to see them you just need to speak to the Town Clerk.

          We hope that, in the future, with more people coming to live in Buntingford, another group of enthusiasts will re-open the Heritage Centre again.

                                      The Heritage Centre Committee