Blog

Do You Remember VE Day?

Where were you on VE Day, the 8th May 1945?  There were many street parties in Borehamwood and Elstree, and our elder citizens are sure to remember this day.  After the deprivations and suffering of the War it was such a relief to get together and enjoy the day, knowing the war was over.  Indeed some of our volunteers at the Museum remember the parties and talk about them. Here is a photo of the Bullhead Road party where the cameraman must be on a tall ladder. We are featuring this particular party because we have just received the photo below from Trevor Goody - now living in Perthshire - enjoying his day.  Thanks to Trevor for his photo - maybe you have a personal memory of your VE Day?

Alan Pyle Remembers :

The picture was probably taken by Cliff Almond and from the roof of the street shelter on the road outside the terrace of four properties nos. 138/144. You can see the other street shelter on the traffic island in the background with the fields beyond.  My family moved to no. 151 in 1939 and I recall the day well.

Life At Borehamwood Grammar School in the 60s

Our Friends Evening this week featured a talk by Alan Martin explaining how he came to write his book about his time at Borehamwood Grammar School. By weaving his story from the late 1950s through the way the Grammar School treated him and his fellow pupils during the 60s.  Giving the pupils a sound and solid education, and teasing out their individual attributes whether it be an aptitude for sports, arts or sciences. Even the insistence on rugby when the boys were really football fans and players, showed that the ethos of the school was towards excellence in all aspects regardless of background. Talking about his teachers and fellow pupils, and featuring memories of good and bad times, it was an enjoyable talk for everyone. Plenty of memories of past times, whichever school you went to in Borehamwood. His book is on sale in the Museum and on our website HERE.

Friends' Evening At The Grammar School

Coming up this Wednesday the Friends of the Museum have a special evening devoted to Borehamwood Grammar School. Alan Martin wrote our current best-selling publication about his schooldays at the Grammar in the 50s and 60s, and he will be explaining all.  If you were a pupil back then we are sure you will enjoy the evening! The book will be on sale at a special price for the evening, and there will be drink and nibbles, of course. You don't have to be a Friend, but advanced booking is advised - please find all the details HERE.

Where Was 'The Duke of Marlborough'?

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!

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

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 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.

Paul Welsh Tribute in the Borehamwood Times

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

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?

Biggles Arrives

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.