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
Our plane has arrived and is waiting to fly. The panels are going up on the walls. The plane taxis to the runway. Curator Dave waits for the go-ahead to fly out of Elstree. Still lots to do though for next week's opening....
The aeroplane arrived today. After all you can't have an exhibition about Elstree Aerodrome without an aeroplane, can you? Ours is an exact copy of the real thing. Photo next week, promise. Alan and Derek have built this from scratch and Alan is getting ready to join the parts together. As you can see we've cleared everything out to make room. More to follow.
First job preparing for a new exhibition is to remove the old one. This morning we removed the Six Of The Best panels amd stripped the museum back to basics. Next job is to clear the cabinets and get ready for the aeroplane. Yes, you read that right - there is an aeroplane on the way.
Took place on Monday 7th October. Here are some words from Bob Redman of Elstree Screen Heritage :
"For several years Elstree Screen Heritage, chaired by Paul Welsh, has worked closely with Elstree Screen Arts to promote the unique local film and TV heritage. When I asked Chris Mitchell, Principal Director of ESA whether he could field a crew to film Paul’s funeral service, Chris agreed without hesitation. On Monday 7th October Adam Spinks, Head of Creative at ESA, and a small team of students filmed discreetly at All Saints Church, Borehamwood. Canon Richard Osborn who lead the service had previously granted permission for filming."
You will find the video on YouTube HERE
We return to #MemoriesMonday as the Autumn sets in and thoughts turn to Borehamwood in the past. Many long-term residents talk about the
Of course it was eventually demolished and all trace disappeared apart from a mound here and there in the
Last week the Friends of the Museum enjoyed an evening talk with Lesley Davies. She explained in depth the history of the schools of Elstree and Borehamwood from the pre-Victorian school in Elstree in 1814 all the way up to the outbreak of the Second World War. And even a short excursion to 1949 when
Lesley's research was the driving force behind our current exhibition Six Of The Best, and although we could only show the salient points in our small space, her complete work and the complete story of our local schools can be found on this website under Our History.
A fascinating evening of local history - become a friend here to find out more. And have a look in the Museum at the Exhibition too.
Photo by Derek Allen
PAUL WELSH MBE
18 July 1953 to 4 September 2024
It is with great sadness that we heard the news that one of the Museum's founders and most stalwart advocates passed away last night. A long-time Trustee and supporter from our time in
You will read many stories about him in the coming days, but he was always our champion and his advice and knowledge always an inspiration. Here's a shot below of Paul giving us a talk during his Friend's evening in 2018 - it was a memorable occasion full of his characteristic wit and humour.
Thanks for everything Paul, R I P
Now the long hot summer holidays are here, you probably don't want to think about schools and schooldays. But our current exhibition Six Of The Best is still running, and there is plenty of information and fun for pupils of all ages. Our curator, Dave Armitage, has made three short videos explaining what you will find when you visit us. So pop into our air conditioned Museum and relive those golden schooldays.
Please click on the links below :
The Blackboard Cabinet & Local Books
The
Now back on our shelves after a short absence is Paul Welsh's memories of 50 years of the film studios in Borehamwood and Elstree. Includes many photos of the stars who have worked here, and, of course, his campaign to save Elstree Studios in the late 80s and 90s. An essential read for anyone interested in the film industry and local history!
On #MemoriesMonday we have an intriguing story for you. One of the Most Missed buildings in Borehamwood is the MGM Studios and its famous landmark of a tower. And atop this tower were the letters that could be seen far and wide. We've just received photos of a set of these letters and a really good provenance to prove that they still exist, and didn't get destroyed when the tower was demolished.
You may say that's unlikely, but it is an intriguing story. Somewhere out there is the answer....
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