A Z of Hitchin

<p>Every year thousands of people visit Hitchin to explore its cobbled streets and its many attractions. A walk around the town reveals its two ancient priories, its historic architecture from medieval times through to the Georgian and Victorian period, and warm community culture, with St Mary’s, the largest parish church in Hertfordshire, at its heart. Thirteen or so blue plaques tell of the town’s famous residents through the centuries. In this book you will meet groundbreaking Victorian pharmacist William Ransom and explore the town’s unique Physic Garden, pioneering surgeon Joseph Lister, the legendary Leonard Cheshire VC and Sue Ryder, and The Prom’s own Sir Henry Wood. George Chapman, Hitchin’s own ‘Shakespeare’, appears with his link to John Keats, and Chaucer tells of plague in his Canterbury Tales. You can sing along with Bob Marley and discover a ghostly fish, Buffalo Bill’s visit to Hitchin and even Clarissa the Carp!</p><p>Hitchin invites you to its many celebrations, some held during the town’s festival when performances from Shakespeare to comedy and concerts are on offer. There are also arts, crafts, walks and talks and wildlife days, choirs, bands and music sessions, together with picnics and fireworks – not forgetting North Herts Pride Market and ghostly evening goings-on! Why not take home a fragrant souvenir from Hitchin’s world-famous Lavender Fields?</p>