On 23 June 2011 some of the UK's leading historians gathered in London to celebrate contributors to the subject.

The Historical Associations annual event is becoming a must for local, educational and academic historians. In the audience were lovers of history from across the UK excited to be part of an event that awards local activities for history alongside those who adorn the bookshops and airwaves. Both Bettany Hughes and Professor Sir David Cannadine received fellowships from the HA, whilst long-term supporters from Sheffield to Kent were acknowledged.

Academic and popular historian Bettany Hughes stated:

"I'm genuinely delighted to be awarded a fellowship of the Historical Association because the HA is an organisation that counts and the fellowship is voted for by people who care.

One of the great things of the HA is that it doesn't flinch from using phrases like ‘passionate ‘ and ‘a love of history'. It reminds all of us that history is the story of humanity and not only do we forget that at our peril but time spent researching history is time full of pleasure and surprise and genuine enlightenment."

The highest award of the night was for Michael Wood the TV historian who has inspired schoolchildren and adults across the country for 30 years, from the wonderful In Search of the Dark Ages to the recent Story of England which explores the complexity of everyday life from pre-Conquest to the twentieth century through the experiences of one Midlands village, Kibworth. . He was awarded the Medlicott Medal for outstanding services and current contributions to history.

The Medlicott winner is notified in advance of their win so that they can give a talk for the audience, and Michael did not disappoint, providing a fascinating talk on his recent TV series and the plans for developing its theme of unveiling English history in our own towns in a new series. His enthusiasm for the subject shone through, as did his passion for research.

On his win he commented:

"I'm absolutely delighted to be awarded the Medlicott Medal, I've worked for 30 years in TV and you don't expect to be honoured by the experts. For me the importance of the HA is the work it carries out with teachers, linking them up with Historians. Getting us together and feeding that back into the classroom is so important now and for the future."

Also awarded at the event was the HA's new venture for recognising authors contributing to children and young people's historical fiction - The Quills award. This year's winner was Jacqueline Wilson for Hetty Feather.

"I'm so pleased to win the award, especially as I am usually associated with contemporary children's books. I tried my hardest when writing Hetty Feather to get the Victorian era right."

She also announced at the evening event that there will be a second instalment of Hetty.

All the award winners are listed below.

• Rosalyn Ashby, Institute of Education
• Dr Katharine Burn, Institute of Education
• Professor Sir David Cannadine, Princeton
• Pamela Carlson, HA Sheffield Branch
• Sarah Codrington, Nuffield Primary History
• Professor Emeritus Ralph Griffiths OBE, Swansea University
• Dr Richard Harris, University of Southampton
• Dr Bettany Hughes, author, historian, presenter
• Pamela Johnston, HA Winchester Branch
• Professor Jon Nichol, Editor Primary History
• Ian Luff, Deputy Headteacher, Kesgrave High School, Suffolk.
• Heather Scott, Headteacher, Barlby High School, North Yorkshire
• Ann Wagstaff, HA Beckenham & Bromley Branch
• John Wagstaff, HA Beckenham & Bromley Branch