The cover of the latest issue of the Saffron Walden Historical Journal features a newly-rediscovered painting of the Town Hall when it was first opened in 1879 - prints of the picture can be obtained from the Tourist Information office. With Stansted Airport constantly in the news these days, the latest edition takes a look at the history of Molehill Green, the village that would disappear if the airport expanded. The Journal also has a number of articles about Saffron Walden history, including two features by Martyn and Zofia Everett, the husband-and-wife historians who live in the town. Zofia Everett writes about the history, characters and stories associated with the Gibson Estate over the course of the twentieth century. Marytn Everett's article also picks out former town personalities, in his study of the Saffron Walden Survey of 1912, a method of environmental survey pioneered in the town. Well-known Thaxted resident, Bruce Munro looks into the stories of some more stately homes of NW Essex and, more distantly in time, Tony Fox examines how Walden Abbey was financed in the Middle Ages. Bringing the history of the town right up to date are items of history news, new publications and a report on the closure of 'Woolies', the Woolworths store which had been a fixture of the High Street scene for over 70 years until its recent closure.

The Journal is grateful to Mullucks Wells for their sponsorship which enables the Saffron Walden Historical Society, publishers of the Journal, to keep the price at just £2.50. Copies can be obtained at the Tourist Information office, Waitrose supermarket, Lankester Antiques, Newport stores, Thaxted newsagents, or by post (for an additional 70p) from the Treasurer at 9 High Street, Saffron Walden.