BEDFORD MUSEUM

In the limelight : images of Bedford

Walter Nichols Henman (1867 - 1956)

Born and bred in Bedford, Walter Henman devoted much of his energy to the collection of historical documents and the production of photographic images.  Passionate about the history of Bedford and its environs his tireless work has provided present and future local historians with much fascination.

In 1882, following an education at Bedford Modern School, Henman commenced a bookbinding apprenticeship with A. A. Jakins & Co of Ram Yard.  Thus began his interest with the written word.  However, bookbinding alone would never be sufficient to satisfy his enthusiasm.  He purchased a small printing press that he used at home to publish booklets, some the results of his own musings.

Notable amongst these publications were the librettos for the Bedford's May Day festivities, a custom reintroduced into the town's social calendar by Henman in 1899.  Initially the historically themed May festivals were small affairs that gradually developed into large town pageants with exquisite staging.  The participants were predominantly members of the Bedford Band of Hope Union, an Anglican and Nonconformist organisation established to campaign against drunkenness.   Henman, an active member of the Union, also participated in the performances playing such comical characters as Dicky Dozy and Simon de Sample with great relish.  The plays and his performances continued in Bedford for some 50 years, so great were their appeal to local people.

Henman's career and interests broadened throughout his life.  He become a librarian in 1893, was Honorary Secretary of the Bedford Natural History and Archaeological Society, member of Council for the Bedfordshire Historical Records Society, Treasurer of the Bedford branch of the Dickins Fellowship and from 1921, Secretary for Bedford General Library.  On Sundays he supplemented these worthy pastimes by teaching at St Paul's Methodist Sunday School.

Running parallel with these activities was Henman's interest in photography.  He became an expert photographer often, like Alfred Hitchcock, making cameo appearances at the back of crowd scenes.  Ultimately, the combination of photography and his ability to perform led to an interest in magic lanterns.  Henman began to make lantern slides from his own photographs and those of Bedford's earliest photographers, such as George Gearey.  Talks on various subjects quickly took shape - John Bunyan, John Howard, Old Bedford, Ecclesiastical Architecture and Bedfordshire Villages, each graciously performed by Henman, backed up with an accumulation of historical detail.  Although such an evening's entertainment may appear somewhat sober by today's standards, his Obituary reassures us that '...........Mr Henman, never failed to introduce a note of humour where it was wanted'.

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