The Village Society have produced a series of books and booklets that are available for collection in Histon or by post. You can also see our list of cards and postcards here.

Postage and Packing

2nd Class UK mainland unless specified otherwise Price on Application (POA).
1 Book £3.50 except the Histon Station Book, Photographic Memories, Cheers, Chivers and the new larger Cheers! book which are £4.50.
2 Chivers books are £7.99 because of their size
Up to 2 small pamphlet books £2.50
For all additional books POA.

Please contact us using the order form here stating delivery preference and whether you wish to pay by cash/cheque or on line bank transfer.

Order Here

The Chivers Story

£15.00
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the fascinating tale of the Chivers and Sons’ empire. This book, brings the story to life, giving wonderful and eclectic insights into the social history of this period. Written by the Histon and Impington Village Society’s historian Eleanor Whitehead, using material carefully assembled over the past 40 years, including photographs, memorabilia and both employee and villagers’ personal recollections.

Histon On and Off the Rails

£12.00
Drawing upon the memorabilia and highly entertaining memories of local residents, this beautifully illustrated book provides an in-depth guide to the history of Histon Station and its effect on the people and villages it served. Boasting over 200 photographs, it celebrates bygone times and captures a lost era of the village – a must read for all local residents and train enthusiasts alike.

Cheers! Updated and enlarged edition

£12
The latest release sees the relaunch of a book originally published ten years ago. Local resident and Village Society member Geoffrey Smallwood has worked tirelessly to update this much-loved book, Cheers, which explores the history of our local pubs.
This new edition is fully up-to-date with 50 brand new pages covering the changes and stories of our village hostelries over the past decade. Each pub has its own additional chapter, telling its unique story over the last ten years.
A fully illustrated history of the pubs and people of Histon and Impington from 1686. Our pubs have been central to many village community activities for centuries, developing against different historical backgrounds and giving us tales of mighty feats of strength, ghosts and lively characters. Originally by the late John Allen and members of the H&IVS History Group. Revised in 2013 and updated in 2018. In 2014 it was awarded the Cambridge Association for Local History book prize.

The origins of Football in Histon and Impington

£10.00
From Muddy village greens to packed local matches, this fascinating book uncovers the early days of football in Histon and Impington. Local enthusiast Terry Dunn brings the past back to life with memories that chart the rise of the beautiful game in our community. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or simply curious about local heritage, this is a must-read celebration of grass roots football and village social history.

Impington Hall

£10.00
Chronicling its owners and estates, this Magnum Opus tells the tale of this beautiful country property from 1550 to 1992, drawing upon a unique local collection of documents, photographs and maps. These include its long connection to the Pepys family – Samuel Pepys the Diarist in 17th century is the best known member. Written by Eleanor Whitehead, Histon and Impington historian, (assisted by Stephen Harper-Scott). Published 2016.

Photographic Memories

£10.00
Deservedly popular, this book provides a vivid picture of life in Histon and Impington over 140 years. Not just in photographs, there are factual commentaries to go with them, covering also the unofficial details of daily life. Compiled by local historian Eleanor Whitehead. Published 1999. In 2000 it was part of the Special Award to the Village Society for the quality of their range of publications over the previous 20 years given by the Cambridge Association for Local History.

Pepys Terrace

£10.00
Building started there in 1892 and this is its subsequent 125 year history by one of today’s residents of Pepys Terrace, with lots of details of its inhabitants. This is a fascinating illustrated insight into the lives of the people in one small street in the Cambridgeshire village of Impington. Compiled by Bob Tonks. Published 2018. It was given a Highly Commended award by the Cambridge Association for Local History.

The H and I Chronicle 1770-1851

£10.00
From Muddy village greens to packed local matches, this fascinating book uncovers the early days of football in Histon and Impington. Local enthusiast Terry Dunn brings the past back to life with memories that chart the rise of the beautiful game in our community. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or simply curious about local heritage, this is a must-read celebration of grass roots football and village social history.Compiled by Bob Tonks. Published 2016.

Home Front

£10.00
World War 1 as it affected village life here in Histon and Impington, with many illustrations. Recollections by residents as they struggled through from 1914-1918, coping with the new rationing and other challenges, as well as news from the distant fronts. Compiled by Eleanor Whitehead. Published 2018. Highly Commended by the Cambridge Association for Local History.

Impington 1911

£10.00
In 1911 Impington was a thriving community; the population had nearly doubled to 743 people in just 20 years. There was a well attended school, numerous shops and three public houses. The 1911 Census provides details of everyone living in the parish at that time. This book provides additional information on each family including marriage details, numbers of children, parents, maps of where the families lived in the village together with illustrations of the cottages and houses.

Compiled by R S Tonks

The Wolfe Family of Histon and Impington

£6.95
In the early 19th century, three sons of Edward Wolfe, Moses, Aaron and Samuel, moved from Madingley to settle in Histon and Impington. By the time of the 1911 census there were 90 direct descendants living in the villages with family names including Wolfe, Clayton, Moore, Muncey, Smith, Stern, Tibbett, Wakefield, Waters and Wilderspin, among others. This booklet contains a wealth of information on the Wolfe family using the parish registers, and the 1911 census.
Compiled by Robert S Tonks and published 2023

The History of Histon Feast

£3.00
The Histon Feast goes back to medieval times and was the excuse for much fun and revelry, which did not always meet with approval. This booklet traces its history right up until modern times - it’s still going strong - with interesting stories along the way. Written by villager John Whitmore. Published 1996.

The Firs, Histon

£4.00
The Firs in Histon has served the community in many ways since 1855. First as a private house, owned by, amongst others, the alleged embezzling solicitor William Peed, then purchased by Chivers & Sons to form part of their next door food manufacturing business. Used as a convalescent hospital in WW1 and by the ARP in WW2, in 1978 two village doctors moved in. It has remained the local surgery ever since then, with so many people having memories of it. The original book was by the late Dellas Oates (whose husband’s ancestor built The Firs). Now revised and updated by members of the HIVS History Group. Published 2017.

Impington Mill

£3.00
Described in detail by the current owner, and with outstanding explanatory drawings by the late Alan Eade, for 23 years the Chairman of Histon and Impington Village Society, this is the fascinating tale of Impington Mill. It tells us about how and why a windmill works, suitably illustrated, plus the story of its lengthy restoration. Written by Steve Temple. Published 2012.

Histon Parish Church

£3.00
St Andrew’s, Histon, dates back to Norman times, but the booklet also tells us of another adjoining church of St Etheldreda, demolished in the 1590s. St Andrews has been looked after, with variable results, over the centuries and remains an active centre of village community life. It’s beautifully illustrated with explanatory line drawings by the late Alan Eade. This history has proved so popular that it’s now in its third revision. Originally written by Robert Walker, (retired Chief Cambridgeshire County Council Conservation Officer and noted authority on the churches of East Anglia) and now updated. Published 2015.

Elizabeth Woodcock

£2.50
Buried in the dark in the snow and with nobody to hear her cries for help. This was the nightmare ordeal endured by the frozen Elizabeth Woodcock for eight days and nights in February 1799. Eventually rescued, this became major news of the time and here is her tale, as described and written then in the original 1799 text. The booklet was compiled by the late John Whitmore and published by the Histon & Impington Village Society in 2000, reprinted and updated in 2023.

Not Bad For A Village Team…

£2.50
Known as the Stutes (read inside to find out why), Histon Football Club has long been a key feature of village life and enthusiasm. This illustrated booklet tells us the story from 1904 to 2009, charting the ups and downs and the people involved over the years. Written by villager Mike Pride. Published 2011.

Cambridge Pubs 1851

£10.00
This book provides the reader with the names of over two hundred public houses and associated landlords at the time of the 1851 census.
A number of these pubs are still with us today; the Baron of Beef, Pickerel,Castle, Wrestlers and the Little Rose. Some have changed their names;the Horse and Groom in Northampton Street is now the Punter. Many have gone forever, turned into restaurants, shops, homes, even a museum, the White Horse in Castle Street.
Some have simply been demolished.
Pubs in the 1850’sprovided locals and travelers with a place to drink, to meet friends, to eat, to stay, and as function places for the many Associations in and around Cambridge.
The book includes more than twenty pages of records from the local press of the time; pub sales, inquests, meetings, robberies and more.

Street Names in Histon and Impington

£2.50
Do you want to learn more about the road in which you live? This is the chance for villagers to find out the background to their own local patch, as this booklet, with maps, covers their derivations and history. Compiled by the late Clive Ennals and Eleanor Whitehead. Published 2005.

Chesterton Pubs up to 1911

£10.00
This book, by Bob Tonks, provides the reader with details of forty public houses and associated landlords in Chesterton from the late eighteenth century, through the 1800’s and up to the 1911 census.
Some of these pubs are still with us today; the Haymakers, Green Dragon, Portland Arms, Old Spring, Jolly Waterman, Castle, Grapes, the Carpenters and the Spring on Chesterton Road, now called the boatman.
Many have gone forever, turned into offices, shops, and homes and some have just been demolished.
Pubs in the nineteenth century provided locals, and travellers with a place to drink, meet friends, to eat, to stay, and as function places for many associations in and around Chesterton.
This book includes records from the local press of the time; pub sales, inquests, meetings, robberies and more

William Rooke Impington 1885-1919

£2.50
This pamphlet gives details of the life and family of William Rooke, chauffeur to Stephen Chivers, and a newspaper account of his sad demise in a crash on his way to the factory.
Compiled by Robert S Tonks

Publications - Books and Booklets