Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews from North Herts Museum gave a thought-provoking talk on the Industrial Archaeology of North Herts with an emphasis on the social aspects of the changes brought about by the development of the factory system. Keith sought to expand the ‘definition’ of industrial archaeology to include service industries such as printing and tanning and also work located in the domestic environment, such as straw plaiting. We learned that many remnants of our local industry are disappearing as the anonymous brick buildings and sheds that housed various functions are often hidden behind street-facing shops and services and are now falling down and facing removal.
