'˜Surprises' in store as Winslow's history goes on show

Winslow – Medieval to Modern is a new exhibition at the Old Gaol which has opened in Buckingham.

It includes an array of information and artefacts which show a glimpse into the world of Winslow families of yesteryear.

There are plenty of postcards, trade tokens, a constable’s truncheon from the 19th Century and an insight into the arrival of the first female doctor in town.

Curator David Noy, who has always been fascinated by Winslow’s history, said: “People are able to see, and hear, an introduction into the history of the town, which contains a few surprises for them.

“It’s a flavour of the history because there clearly isn’t room for all of it.

“There are some objects and it’s all arranged to show how it took a long time for certain things to develop.

“There is a health and safety section which starts with the Black Death and shows evidence of the first doctors which includes the first woman doctor in Winslow in 1680.”

Winslow first appears in history in 792, when King Offa gave it to St Albans Abbey.

The abbey granted a market charter in 1235 and remained the landlord until 1539.

You can listen to interviews with older residents and look at a digital photo display.

There is information on the development of shops from the medieval market and the arrival of the railway in 1851, as well as evidence of the chequered history of Winslow Hall.

The exhibition runs at the Old Gaol until March 31 and it is free to enter.