THE opportunity to explore a timeline of maps of Harlow, tracing its development from rural community to post-war New Town, is coming to Harlow Museum.

For one day only, the Essex Record Office will be transporting the relevant collection of maps and images from its headquarters in Chelmsford to Harlow.

The event, taking place from 10.30am to 3.00pm on Saturday 18 April, will also offer visitors the chance to listen to selected oral histories of Harlow memories from the Essex Sound and Video Archive, and to find out about ESVA’s project You Are Hear: sound and a sense of place.

Stephen Dixon, Essex County Council’s Archive Service Manager, said: “Essex is a wonderfully varied county, and the development of Harlow into a New Town is one fascinating strand of the Essex story. The ERO likes to get out and about, and we are looking forward to bringing some of our collections to Harlow to share with local residents.”

Harlow is best known as a post-war New Town, but there has been settlement there since pre-historic times, which is what makes an event like this all the more interesting.

Entry is free; however a suggested donation of £2 would be welcome, no booking is required.