Heatherfield Heritage’s historians explore a wide range of topics, driven by both professional inquiry and personal interest. Alongside documenting historical facts, we also examine the cultural impact of the past — how traditions, communities, and heritage continue to shape local identity today.
Our work reflects a balance of rigorous research and genuine passion for history. Some studies have been published in Narrowboat Magazine, Waterways World, and the HNBC Journal. A notable project includes a large-scale study of Preston Brook village, carried out in support of the Parish Council’s Conservation Area application.
Current research projects are equally diverse, ranging from maritime and social history to folklore. These include:
*The story of the East Indiaman “Thistleworth”
*The social ascent of a nonconformist merchant family into London high society during the early Georgian period
*Investigating murders on the canal system
*Tracing the true facts behind ghost stories and folklore tales
*Researching the development of artforms on the inland waterways of England
*Documenting the history of Preston Brook wharf and the lives of the men and women associated with it.
We specialise in uncovering stories that are unusual, complex, or lightly documented — the kinds of subjects where information can be scarce or scattered. If you’re looking for thorough, creative, and reliable research on a challenging topic, we’d be delighted to help. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss collaboration or commissioning research