At the time of the Chesham Peace Celebrations on 5th August 1919, Henry Byrne was a pillar of the local community. This is his story.
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Chesham’s typhoid epidemic of 1871
Chesham has not always been a healthy places to live. It had outbreaks of typhoid over the years, but the worst was the typhoid of epidemic of 1871, which was reported in newspapers across the country.
The story of women’s football in Chesham
Women’s football has a long history in Chesham. The first ladies’ football match in Chesham was in 1895, and the first match between 2 Chesham ladies’ teams was in 1922. This is the story …
Women’s cricket in the Chesham area
Women’s cricket has a long history in the Chesham area. The first recorded game in Chesham was in 1890. This is the story…
The story of Thomas Harding – Chesham’s martyr
Chesham has its own Christian martyr commemorated in the name of a school, and two memorials in the town.
Chesham’s Wartime Jewish refugees
During the war Chesham had many Jewish evacuees and refugees. This is the story…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
Remembering the victims of the Holocaust on Holocaust Memorial Day and the life of Dame Shirley.
Bernard Hughes evacuee
Bernard lived in London until the outbreak of World War 2 and his move to live with his uncle in Chesham.
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Chesham’s lost Isolation Hospital
Chesham used to have its own isolation hospital for use to prevent epidemics. This is the story.
Chesham’s Temperance Movement
Chesham had many pubs and its own brewery. As a result there was a major problem with drunkenness. In reaction to this, a Christian temperance movement arose. This is the story…
Belgian refugees in Chesham
During the First World War, Chesham gave sanctuary to an influx of refugees from Belgium, known as ‘Chesham’s Guests’. This is the story…
The story of United Reformed Church at Chesham
In 2022, Chesham URC marked the 50th anniversary of the United Reformed Church, with a special service on Sunday October 2nd followed by lunch and a history quiz. This the story of why it happened…
One hundred years of Chesham War Memorial
After the Great War ended, Chesham Council held a series of meetings to plan peace celebrations, and to decide upon fitting memorials for the town.
Mrs Checkley
We first came to Chesham from London in 1899, from a big three-storey house. Mrs Checkley recalls her life growing up in Chesham.
View this itemWilliam and Edgar Shillaker
Read the story of the Shillaker brothers, pioneers in the handbag trade who moved their business to Chesham, where they opened a small factory in Alma Road.
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