The official launch of the new database was attended by about 80 people on 16 November 2006 at the Uttlesford District Council chamber. They watched a demo of the new database by its designer Rosemarie Gant and instigator Michael Southgate, then had a chance to try it out themselves on laptops provided by the head of IT, Adrian Webb who has been helping organise the occasion. Also present were Paul Marsden of Gaia Technology who designed the web end of the database and Michael Frost, UDC website development manager who is looking after the ULHR website.  

A cake was provided by Manuden Recorder, Fiona Bengtsen and soon consumed alongwith refreshments provided by Waitrose Ltd and organised by UDC catering. The chairman of ULHR, Jacqueline Cooper welcomed everyone and explained how the project had come about, the story behind the RUTH logo and the importance of the Recorders' aims: to continue recording the present, and look after archives and artefacts of the past.  

The guest list included: UDC chairman and councillors, ECC head of Heritage Services, Hertfordshire Recorders, Saffron Walden Family History Society, Ashdon Windmill Trust, Heritage Sampford, Saffron Walden Archive Society, Saffron Walden Historical Society, Essex Libraries Local Studies, Essex Record Office, Methodist Archives, Great Chesterford Parish Council, the Radwinter Society, Saffron Walden Museum Society, Saffron Walden Town Council, Blue Badge Guides, Friends of Historic Essex, Essex Congress, Cambridgeshire Association for Local History, Family & Community Historical Research Society, Langley Parish Council; representatives of local history societies at Takeley, Newport, Great Chesterford, Stebbing, Littlebury; Recorders of Clavering, Chesterfords, Radwinter, Elsenham, Manuden, Henham, Hadstock, Strethall. Thaxted, Hatfield Heath and Broad Oak, Littlebury, Great Hallingbury, Quendon & Rickling, Chrishall, Newport, Elmdon, Hempstead, Arkesden, Farnham, Saffron Walden, and many others.  

About 30 Recorders have taken up the invitation to use the database for their village records, and about 15 others at the launch expressed interest also in taking part. As a result it is expected that within the next year the database will begin to reflect a wide range of Uttlesford historical resources. The day was voted a great success - here is some of the feedback:  

LAUNCH FEEDBACK

• I thought it was a good "do" very informative. It was a very good turnout which shows the interest it has generated.
  
  
• What a lovely occasion you had all mounted - both friendly and professional -- and how exciting the database project is. It will be a great resource in so many ways.
  
  
• Congratulations to all concerned
  
  
• Well done. You should be proud of yourself tonight. I think it went very well indeed. I was very impressed by the amount of people.
  
  
• What a very impressive and a lovely afternoon.
  
  
• Very good system.
  
  
• What good photographs - a great record of the day. It was all worth while. Congratulations!
  
  
• I thought it went very well yesterday and was most interesting. Congratulations again to you and the rest of the committee for all your hard work.
  
  
• I really enjoyed myself and was very impressed and fascinated by the data base-Congratulations.
  
  
• Thanks for a great afternoon.  It went very well in all respects.  Congratulations to all.
  
  
•  I was very impressed with your work and your subtle looking website.
  
  
• Thanks for a marvellous afternoon.