Blog

Two New Occasional Papers

We have just published two new Occasional Papers in our range of local history research projects. These Papers illuminate topics of our history that are worthy of further explanation and study. Both are by Anthony Frewin and reveal aspects of our area that you may never have considered.

Occasional Paper No. 5 is The Earliest Roads of Elstree. This explores the roads we drive on every day in Elstree and Borehamwood, explores their origins and naming, and shows how they have influenced our landscape.

Occasional Paper No. 6 is An Enquiry Into The Tower By Scratch Woods. Follow Anthony's efforts to track down this mystery tower deep in the woods after he read a small mention of it on Facebook. Now demolished and nearly forgotten, he tracked down its location and purpose.

On sale in the Museum for a mere £2 with colour covers, they are also available from our website shop for £3.59, postage included.

Well worth your attention!

Christmas Cards

"IT'S CHRISTMAS" in the immortal words of Noddy Holder, so make sure you grab some local Christmas Cards to send to your loved ones who have left the Village for pastures new. Plenty of different designs from Borehamwood to Elstree and all points in between. Only £1 each and available in the Museum now.  Remember that snow?!

   

EastEnders Expands

We've just added some special photographs in the Cafe at 96 Shenley Road.  They show Behind The Scenes photos of action on our favourite show, from Dot doing her makeup to Kat getting some hairspray. Make sure you check them out when you visit EastEnders At 40, our current Exhibition.

 

We've had visitors from all over the UK and further afield. In just a few weeks we've welcomed fans from Aberdeen, Peterborough, West Sussex, Somerset, Sheffield, Coalville, and, indeed, Colleville-sur-Mer in Northern France, New York, and further afield.  Looking forward to seeing you.

For more info and insights watch our YouTube video with Dave Armitage here.

  

Friends Explore Schopwick House

Our most recent Friends event took place at 96 Shenley Road on Tuesday when Ann Shuker gave a talk on the origins and history of her house, Schopwick Place. From its earliest incarnation upto the present day Ann explored its various stages of development. She featured the many people who had lived there over the centuries from the first house which was demolished and replaced by the present building.

Perhaps the most famous residents were the Everett family. Sir Percy was one of the founders of the Scout movement and Baden-Powell was a frequent visitor. Percy's daughter, Winn, was a well-known Elstree GP and considered a pioneer in medecine. The book about her life is on sale in the Museum.

Ann then explained the work that was carried out on the house after they bought it in 1999 and how it took 5 years to bring it up to date and modernised. She brought in a collection of items that had been found in the house and gardens including the complete clay pipe bowl discovered in the cavity walls.

Thanks to Ann for a facinating look into an important local landmark.

EastEnders At 40 - Remembering Our Opening Night

If you had been following us on this blog with our regular updates, you'll know how much we managed to accomplish in the two weeks we were closed.

We built a replica of the Queen Vic bar, complete with the bust of the Queen herself, and original working hand pumps - no beer included.

We re-created Martin Fowler’s fruit and veg stall in the middle of the Museum, complete with realistic props, and some real fruit and veg.

And we produced nine wall panels telling the story and background to the last 40 years of the programme, while filling our display cases with props loaned from the BBC.  These include Dot Cotton's outfit and Sharon's wedding dress, not to mention some nasty looking murder weapons.

Thank you to actor Adam Woodyatt, (Ian Beale, of course), who we invited to open the Exhibition by cutting the ‘Do Not Cross’ police tape with the one and only pair of Museum scissors. Hertsmere’s Mayor, Cllr Alpha Collins and Elstree and Borehamwood’s Town Mayor, Cllr Dan Ozarow were also present, as were members of the BBC who had assisted and supported us.

Not forgetting those who created the Exhibition - Ruth the inspirer, Dave the problem solver, Tony the master builder, and Simon the odd-job person.

Come and visit us - you will be amazed at what we've achieved in 50 square feet (again!)

  

The Friends Visit Bletchley Park

Here's a few photos taken by Derek Allen when the Friends visited Bletchley Park recently. An excellent day out all concurred with much to view and acres to walk around. It's no secret now that you should be a Friend to enjoy such benefits!

  

 

  

 

EastEnders At 40 : Open Now

      

Our new Exhibition is now open and fans of the soap are dropping by to see our creation of the Queen Vic bar and taking selfies with the beer pumps and the Queen's head.

Don't forget Ian's Market Stall - are the fruit and veg real?  And Sharon's wedding dress and Dot's dress and coat.

There's a free EastEnders At 40 beer mat for everyone who visits.  Don't delay, come in today!

    

    

EastEnders At 40 - W. I. P : Stage Three - The Final Push

We're nearly there at last - just a few days and a final push and our new Exhibition will be open on Thursday. Here's a few teasing photos for you of the panels, display cases, and Vic in the library waiting her place on the bar.  Wonder who the costume fits?

     

EastEnders At 40 - W. I. P. : Stage Two

  

Some items for the Exhibition have arrived from the BBC including a rather large 'zero' and a 'four'. What could they be for?  And Tony is getting on with his bar and beer pumps. Cheers!, everyone.

EastEnders At 40 - W. I. P. : Stage One

  

We've started the process of preparing for the next Exhibition - everything is stripped out. Our little Nipper plane is in two pieces and has gone off to the De Havilland Museum, while all the other items from the Elstree Aerodrome story have flown back from whence they came.

Now we begin the new build - some items have arrived from the BBC.  More details to follow soon...