History book sheds light of Glemsford's retailers past and present over last 200 years to raise money for heritage centre

Three Glemsford residents have produced their fourth book on the history of the village.

Jenny Wears, Patrick Hemphill and Rowland Hill are all members of Glemsford Local History Society, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

Shops and Services of Glemsford: A Glimpse of Retailers Past and Present details some of the village’s shops and services from the last 200 years.

“Glemsford had lots of shops in the past, including a blacksmith, a horse hair factory and industries making silk and matting,” explained Mrs Wears, who moved to Glemsford from Halstead 13 years ago.

Money raised from sales of the book will go towards the creation of an updated and expanded heritage centre at the village hall, showcasing the history society’s artifacts.

It is the fourth time the trio have combined to compile a book on the history of the village.

Glemsford Revisited was published in 2012, Memories of Glemsford in 2017 and Pubs of Glemsford in 2018.

“We are all relative newcomers to the village, but we have a great interest in its history,” explained Mrs Wears, a former nurse.

“I think Glemsford is a great place to live. It’s friendly and we have everything we need, including a doctor’s surgery, shops, a library, lots of organisations and a super group called The Angels, who have been helping people during lockdown by collecting their medication and carrying out shopping.”

Costing £6, the book can be purchased from the village store and Glemsford Library, Willow Tree Farm Shop, the Tourist Information Centre in Sudbury Library, and at www.glemsfordhistory.co.uk.