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HA News, Spring 2026
Welcome to the spring 2026 edition of HA News magazine
Welcome to the first fully digital edition of HA News.
We have the final letter from current HA president Alexandra Walsham, and we introduce our new president James Daybell.
With our annual conference in Newcastle Gateshead just around the corner we give our pick of 10 things to do and...
HA News, Spring 2026
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The Great Debate 2026: Speeches
Multipage Article
The Great Debate concluded on 21 March 2026 in Central London following a thrilling day. The competition started in the autumn of 2025 with heats running across the UK and online until February 2026. The three semi-finals held online led to the 21 finalists who were invited to London for...
The Great Debate 2026: Speeches
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Young Quills 2026 shortlist
The HA's annual awards for best historical fiction for young people
Each year, the Historical Association runs ‘Young Quills’, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2025 for this year’s selection.
Our...
Young Quills 2026 shortlist
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Local History Month 2026
30th April 2026
(and some planning ahead for 2027)
May is Local and Community History month. For 2026 we are linking it to the National Year of Reading by looking at the importance of writers and local records to historians for bringing a place to life. Places change: that is inevitable and also...
Local History Month 2026
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Young Quills 2026
Young Quills 2026 Competition submissions
Each year, the Historical Association runs Young Quills, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition, which was 2025 for the 2026 competition.
Our...
Young Quills 2026
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Talking History 2026
A history public speaking competition for pupils in years 5 and 6
Please note: entries for this year's competition have now closed.
Following the success of our Great Debate competition for secondary students and the successful launch of our sister primary public speaking competition, we are pleased to announce that applications for our third Talking History competition for pupils in years 5...
Talking History 2026
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The Great Debate 2026 – the winners
1st April 2026
The Great Debate concluded on 21 March 2026 in Central London following a thrilling day. The competition started in the autumn of 2025 with heats running across the UK and online until February 2026. The three semi-finals held online led to the 21 finalists who were invited to London for...
The Great Debate 2026 – the winners
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The National Year of Reading 2026
31st March 2026
2026 has been declared as the National Year of Reading, a timely reminder of the importance of literacy, but also the power of the written word.
Throughout recorded history the ability to read and write has been an important form of communication, often used to control access to power and...
The National Year of Reading 2026
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HA Conference 2026 access bursaries
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, 15-16 May 2026
Please note: applications have now closed for bursaries for the 2026 conference.
We are delighted to announce three new bursaries to fund travel and accommodation expenses for first-time attendees at HA Conference, thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor.
We know that budgets for professional development are tight and,...
HA Conference 2026 access bursaries
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New partnership for the Great Debate 2026
15th May 2025
The Historical Association is delighted to announce Rayburn Tours as the official sponsor of the Great Debate 2026.
With over 60 years of experience in educational and group travel, Rayburn Tours is a family-run organisation dedicated to creating inspirational and enriching experiences for young people.
Rayburn Tours' commitment to education...
New partnership for the Great Debate 2026
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HA Annual Conference 2026: call for papers
Workshop proposals open until 7 November
The HA Annual Conference will be held in Newcastle in 2026. This two-day conference on 15-16 May is a leading highlight of the history community's year. It brings together all those working in and who have an active interest in history and heritage. With top-level academics, pedagogical sessions and discussion panels, the conference is...
HA Annual Conference 2026: call for papers
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Your Primary CPD calendar Summer 2026
News Item
"CPD from the Historical Association is always high quality and provides expert guidance and support."
Primary teachers are expected to be experts in everything. At the HA we know how essential subject-specific CPD can be to support you. That’s why we offer a year-round programme of history training that supports primary teachers and subject...
Your Primary CPD calendar Summer 2026
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Your Secondary CPD calendar Summer 2026
News Item
"CPD from the Historical Association is always high quality and provides expert guidance and support."
At the HA we know how essential subject-specific CPD is for your development. That’s why, we offer a year-round programme of training that supports history teachers at all stages of their career, from trainees to...
Your Secondary CPD calendar Summer 2026
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Write Your Own Historical Fiction Competition 2026
The Historical Association Historical Fiction Prize
Each year we are so impressed by the ever increasing number and standard of entries we receive around such a wide range of historical periods and settings. You can take a look at some of last year’s winning entries here.
Unleash the creativity of your pupils through the Write Your Own...
Write Your Own Historical Fiction Competition 2026
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The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10–13
We are now looking for schools and venues across the country to host a regional heat in November, December 2025 or January 2026. If you are interested in hosting a heat, please fill out the form below.
The form will close on Sunday 15 June 2025. Successful applicants will be...
The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
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Conwy Borough Branch Programme
Branch programmes
Branch Contact: Gemma Campbell conwyboroughha@gmail.com
Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at Sheldons, 8 Penrhyn Rd, Colwyn Bay LL29 8LG unless otherwise stated.
Refreshments will be available to purchase (payment not included with the talk).
Doors open at 6.30 for refreshments and networking, talks begin at...
Conwy Borough Branch Programme
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East Sussex Branch Programme
Article
For all branch enquiries please contact Dr John Oliphant at john@johnoliphant.net or telephone 07910 672 131
All meetings will be held on Thursdays from 7-9 pm at St Saviour’s Church Hall, South Street, Eastbourne BN21 4UT.
Entry is free to members, and visitor fees are £2 per lecture. Annual associate branch membership...
East Sussex Branch Programme
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Bath Branch Programme
Article
Entry to lectures is free for national HA members and Bath branch local members who have paid an annual subscription. Visitors are welcome and are asked to pay £5 per lecture.
For more information please contact Mike Short, Branch Secretary, mikeshort20@btinternet.com or 01225 812945.
Lectures begin at 7.30 pm at...
Bath Branch Programme
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West Wiltshire Branch Programme
Article
B
All enquiries to Mrs Jenny Ladd jladd242@gmail.com tel 01373 830514
All talks start at 7.30pm and take place in St. Thomas’ Church Hall, York Buildings, Trowbridge, Wilts. BA14 8PT. Free parking on the road, limited free parking next to Church.
Associate membership £15 per year. Talks free to HA...
West Wiltshire Branch Programme
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Lincoln Branch Programme
Article
All enquiries to Prof. Jamie Wood woodjamie999@gmail.com All talks start at 6.15pm and take place on the Brayford Pool Campus of the University of Lincoln.
To book: https://cityoflincolnbranchha.wordpress.com/lecture-programme-and-booking/.
Talks are free to national HA members, teachers and students, and University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University staff and students. Associate...
Lincoln Branch Programme
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Essex Branch Programme
Article
Talks on Saturdays, 2.30pm, Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2XB.
Please check the calendar on this website for details.
Visitors and prospective members warmly welcomed - £5, Associate Members fee £15.00 / £20.00 for 2 members at same address
Branch Contact: Tony Tuckwell: 01245 256423 tonytuckwell28@outlook.com
For further...
Essex Branch Programme
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Buckinghamshire Branch Programme
Article
Enquiries to Mrs. Terry Bloxham (Hon Secretary), 138 High Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1RB Tel: 07952 703535 E-mail: secretarybucksha@gmail.com
Meetings are being held on Wednesdays at 8 pm online via Zoom (except for the June event which will be in-person)
Buckinghamshire Historical Association
Admission to meetings is free to full and...
Buckinghamshire Branch Programme
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Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Programme
Article
All enquiries to Mrs Marie Davidson davidsonmh@googlemail.com tel 01419561172
All meetings are held at 11am on the second Saturday of the month at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church Observatory Road, Glasgow West End G12 9AR.
Associate membership £20 per year. Talks free to national HA members and students, visitors £5.
...
Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Programme
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Sheffield Branch Programme
Article
All enquiries to Janine Baigent janine.baigent@hotmail.com
Meetings are held at the Lecture Theatre, Grayson Building, Birkdale School, Oakholme Road, S10 3DH. Entrance via the Endcliffe Grange Crescent gate. Parking available.
Date is usually the first or second Thursday of the month, doors will open at 7 pm and the...
Sheffield Branch Programme
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Oxford Branch Programme
Article
For any further information, please contact Dr Vivienne Larminie, branch secretary, email vivienne.larminie@history.ox.ac.uk
HA members free, non-members £2 per meeting. Annual associate membership £10 individual, £15 joint (living at same address), full-time students under 30, £6. School groups £10 per group.
Oxford Branch Programme 2025-26
Wednesday, 11 February 2026...
Oxford Branch Programme
