It is with great regret and sadness that I have to report the death of Col John Sainsbury OBE TD FSA. John has been a great friend and supporter of the museum for many years.  He brought together the extensive Hertfordshire Yeomanry Collection, which has been an integral and popular part of the Museum for many years. He was also the source of a vast amount of knowledge about the collection and the regiment. Many people were helped in their research by his books, and just a few months ago, he went through the collection with curatorial staff at the Museum, to choose items for display in the new North Hertfordshire Museum. We were due to meet again soon, and we are very sad that this opportunity will not arise. We are also very sad that he will not see the new displays, though I am comforted by the fact that he was very happy with the way that things were progressing. I am sure that everyone who worked with him would agree that he was very generous with his time, and a very kind person to work with. He will be sorely missed.

The latest item for cleaning at Hitchin is this lovely old pub sign. This sign dates to between 1850 and 1898 and was the sign for Boot Inn in Bridge Street. It is made of two wooden planks or panels joined together and measures roughly 45 cms x 30 cms (18″ x 12″). The Boot Inn opened in around 1800 and was where local volunteers were billeted in 1803 during the Napoleonic Wars. The inn changed its name to the Royal Oak in 1898. Its provenance connects it to the Newton Family, who were prominent landowners in the Bridge Street/ Bucklersbury/Tilehouse Street area of Hitchin, as well as being heavily involved in the Fire Service. The family initials can be seen on a series of bricks behind the Kings Arms pub in Bucklersbury. here is some interesting research to be done on the connection (if any) between the Boot Inn and the Newtons.

(Historical Information taken from “A Walk Along Tilehouse Street and Bridge Street” by Hitchin Historical Society).