In November 1996 there was a fantastic weekend for people with an interest in the town. It was called 'Hucknall 2020 vision: our future' which stretched from Friday to Sunday. Many ideas were thrown around concerning what could be done for the benefit of the community. I am sure most of those who attended will remember it as a very exhausting but exhilarating weekend. Afterwards I wondered if there was anything I could do as an individual to benefit local people.

For five years I had been organising history type events which people seemed to enjoy, and the thought of a history-based newsletter came into my mind. I thought OK - if this is going to happen what should it be called? Names were bandied about – Heritage Times, Hucknall Herald, and others, but once 'Hucknall Torkard Times' came into the frame nothing else seemed to have the correct vibes. It also described what I intended each issue to contain, which were researched pieces by myself or other local historians, written items by other people such as memories of the town and folk they knew, questions, queries, help wanted, and odd items of interest.

It was always meant to be a local history-based publication and one that people would read and enjoy rather than be thrown away with the recycling. These were the objectives it would aspire to achieve. Next were more decisions. What should it look like? Which size? How much should it cost? Where would it be sold? The first A4 issue had just four pages selling at 15p but quickly it increased to 8 then 12 pages at the same price. Ashfield District Council kindly supported the effort by covering printing costs hopefully thinking it was good value and a service for the townsfolk.

Fast forward to the year 2014 when due to budget cuts ADC felt it was unable to support the venture. What would happen to the 'Times'? Could it continue if I funded each issue myself? Once more decisions had to be made! Should the 'Times' continue as A4 or reduce to A5 size and would this affect the price? Local printing businesses were checked, and Haywoods on Watnall Road proved the best for price and quality but to keep the price fairly reasonable a reduction to A5 size was necessary. People seemed to like the 'new look' Hucknall Torkard Times even if the price had risen to 50p per issue. I felt sure readers would notice that there were the same number of pages and hopefully would think the content was just as good as before. After 71 issues it would have been a shame to finish.

The 'Times had become an archive in its own right because data was being used as reference material by other historians. A reference copy of every issue was logged at Notts. Archives Office, Local Studies Dept at Angel Row Library, Nottingham, and of course in Hucknall Library which means you can call at any of these places to see back copies. (In this Covid year of 2021 it would be wise to check if the libraries or archives are open for business first and if they have the latest issue.)

Grateful thanks are due to everyone who has sent in articles, stories, poems, cuttings, queries, photographs and other bits and bobs which make the 'Times' such a super publication. They arrive by post, 'phone calls, or E-mails from Hucknall, the UK, and countries worldwide. All the items help by continuing to put together the jigsaw of the history of Hucknall. It always amazes me that some people still think Hucknall does not have a very interesting history. All they need to do is read a few copies of the newsletter to realise that Hucknall's history stretches backwards through the years at least to Saxon times.

Finally, after 25 years and counting, whether the 'Times' continues is up to you – the readers. Firstly, by supporting the effort and buying an issue. Secondly, by continuing to send items to be included in Hucknall Torkard Times. My contact details are in every issue. Recently because Hucknall Library has been closed, only Haywoods and Peppers, both on Watnall Road have been selling points. The one hundredth issue will be on sale at the beginning of August.