Blog

Welcome to the Elstree & Borehamwood Museum blog.

This blog is about all those happenings inside and outside the Museum that have caught our attention.

From events and exhibitions, to new discoveries in the collections, to news and views.

Any comments and items to go here please contact Simon on info@elstree-museum.org.uk

Where Was 'The Duke of Marlborough'?

Monday 3 February 2025

Our Museum Curator Dave Armitage noticed some comments in Wynn Everett's memoir (now back in stock) concerning an 'unknown' pub called The Duke of Marlborough. She said the pub was located at 'Suicide Corner', where the A5 meets the A41, and was owned by Sir Trevor Dawson of Edgwarebury House fame who half-timbered it. Not knowing the pub himself, its exact location hung around in the Museum atmosphere for a couple of years until confirmation of 'Suicide Corner' came from a wartime bus schedule and an old map just last week.

So our new Trustee, John Cartledge, set to work with his extensive knowledge of maps and found a building near where the Corner would be when the Watford By-Pass was built, marked as a 'BH' or 'Beer House' on the OS map of 1913. As he said 'Eureka' - there was the 'Duke'. Probably built originally to serve the workers at the 'Brick Works' shown on the map, the building was still there on the 1935 map though no longer labelled as a 'BH' (the Brick Works had gone too). Trevor Dawson died in 1931 and the Brick Works closed, so the pub may have reverted to a dwelling house. It shows on the 1939 aerial photo of The Line That Never Was.

And today? It's under the M1 now. We have no photos of the building and it's just about out of living memory. Does anyone have any knowledge of the pub? And why was a roundabout on the Watford By-Pass called 'Suicide Corner'? Reach us via our email!


Vote For Us!

Monday 20 January 2025

Vote for us! Yes, it's time to vote again - this time for the Hertfordshire Museum Object of the Year.  Our entry is the Tipsy Nipper Aircraft which is on display right now in our current exhibition, Up, Up And Away! - The Story of Elstree Aerodrome. Not just an object in a glass case you can sit in it and simulate a flight from Elstree. It's historically accurate too. See the photo below!  Vote here!


Paul Welsh's Plaque

Thursday 16 January 2025
The Paul Welsh Plaque

Look out for a new Plaque dedicated to Paul Welsh next to the bench at the entrance to Tescos.  Paul was responsible for all the film plaques around town, so it is only fitting he has his very own now. It tells his story of a local lad who saved the studios and became a foremost authority of the history of film, particularly those made in this area. His 'Elstree Project' is an archive of filmed interviews with not only the stars, but also those who worked behind the cameras in this creative industry. 

The Plaque & The Bench


The Friends Newsletter

Monday 6 January 2025
Our Latest Friends Newsletter

The September 2024 Newsletter has just been uploaded to this website because the new January 2025 is now available. Sent to the Friends of the Museum every quarter it is an exclusive read for three months for our Friends who help us survive and grow. This letter includes a fascinating exploration of the Imperial Studios and the British & Dominions Film Co established by Herbert Wilcox in 1927. It produced many famous films until the studios burnt down in 1936. It's not a well-known story, so if you want to learn more - please visit our Get Involved page and become a Friend Friends Page.

The Fire In Progress
The Aftermath


Paul Welsh Tribute in the Borehamwood Times

Friday 27 December 2024

Following on from our last blog entry, further tributes to Paul Welsh can be found in the most recent Borehamwood Times. Four articles featuring his life story and achievements can be found online in the edition dated December 19th - link here.


New Tribute to Paul Welsh in the Cafe at 96

Wednesday 11 December 2024
The new display at 96

We've created a display in the Cafe at 96 Shenley Road to honour Paul Welsh. It's made up of 10 panels showing in photos the contributions he made to this area. The display was created by Dave from the Museum, Ruth and Hannah from Hertsmere, and Bob from Elstree Screen Heritage. Next time you grab a coffee please have a look at the memories that you will have.  The display will remain until the end of 2025 and new photos may be added from time to time. If you have your own favourite photo of Paul, why not send it or bring it to the Museum?

Dave and Hannah hang the new photos


Biggles Arrives

Tuesday 26 November 2024

On #MemoriesMonday we find Biggles coming in to land at Elstree Aerodrome in 1947. Having dropped Ginger off at Lympne, Biggles decided to fly into Elstree to catch up with some friends at Home Farm.  You too can dress like Biggles and fly our Nipper in and out of Elstree. Just come up to the Museum and have a go!  And we are open this Sunday afternoon when the Christmas Lights are turned on from 3pm to 5pm. PS - get your Christmas Cards at the same time.


It's Christmas!

Monday 18 November 2024

It's Christmas!  Well, nearly. It's coming up fast, so make sure you have your local Christmas Cards ready to send out. Get them from us - the Museum has over 35 designs featuring local snow scenes and paintings. Still only £1 for the large and 50p. for the small. Here's a few of our cards :

    

    


A New Book And An Old Favourite

Tuesday 12 November 2024
Borehamwood Grammar School by Alan Martin

On sale now is a new book from Alan Martin with his personal memories of life and times at Borehamwood Grammar School in the late 50s and early 60s. Growing up in the town, adjusting to a 'grammar school life' and the influence of his teachers on sport, culture, and behaviour.  A fascinating look back at a time when everything seemed to be changing around you, and when the sixties seemed so full of promise.

The Winn Everett Story by Avril Chick

And back in stock is a book about a local legend - The Winn Everett Story by Avril Chick. This has been out-of-print for a while but we have decided to reprint it because it's the story of a much-loved local GP in Elstree who is still remembered by many in this area. The book includes Winn's talks to local groups, and newspaper reports on her life.


Up Up And Away Takes Off

Thursday 7 November 2024

We've launched our new Exhibition, Up Up And Away at the Museum. Present were mayors, councillors, pilots, ground crew, and others involved in creating the Exhibition.  Star of the show was Alan Kirtly's reproduction of the Tipsy Nipper 2 which used to fly from Elstree as a training plane. Small enough to fit into our tiny space, but if it had an engine it could have flown away. Visitors will be able to sit in it and fly out of Elstree and back. Here we see Richard Butler, Mayor of Hertsmere, trying the Nipper for size, and Dan Ozarow, Deputy Mayor of Borehamwood, waiting his turn.

Our photo below shows Humphrey Gibb, the CEO of Elstree Aerodrome looking at a display with Elaine Butchins of the Trustees.




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