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More Footbridge Memories

The end of the footbridge to Parkfields

On #MemoriesMonday we once again thank Peter Kirby for sending us another of his excellent photos of the long-gone footbridge to Parkfields. Now we can see how it was possible to cross the railway by walking on the bridge rails! Good balance required.

The Footbridge

Freestone Revealed

Anyone strolling down Shenley Road from the Post Office towards Theobald Street should glance up before reaching the sorting office. You will see this facia on a closed shop that was once Sam's Chicken. A real #MemoriesMonday treat - here is the original fascia for Bob Freestone's bakery shop which has been exposed and left for all to see. Not sure when this shop closed, but Bob's brother Ernest owned the Dutch Oven and sold it in 1952. Bob used to drive a van around the new estates selling his wares, and was based here. More information always appreciated.

Guess it will soon be covered over and another fast food establishment installed.

Remembering The Gasometers

For #Memories Monday this month we have a newly received shot of the Boreham Wood Gasometers taken by Peter Kirby in the late sixties or early seventies.  Standing very large against the skyline, and almost 'glowing' in the sun, they were a feature of this area for many years. Just don't ask us about the train down on the tracks - we have no idea.

We Won An Award!

Catriona Briggs (left), Hertsmere and Anji Archer (right), Open Art Box receive the award from Sally Ackroyd of SHARE
 

Yes, we won an award for our work with Open Art Box! Cat explains all :

Our Recollections Through Art project, that we worked in partnership with Open Art Box CIC, Hertsmere Borough Council and UKSPF, won the Creative Health Award on Thursday 15th February at the Hertfordshire Association of Museums Awards 2024. The award ‘recognises work aimed at improving people’s quality of life either by offering activities or opportunities within the museum or by outreach in the community’.

Our project looked at combatting isolation through explanation of local history and art. We ran two programmes of 6 workshops that ran fortnightly from St Michaels and All Angels Church, in order to reduce social isolation and allow members of the local community to connect through a creative activity, rather than a physical one.

Anji receiving the Award

The awards presentation took place in the Priory Hall in Ware Priory, with people attending from across Hertfordshire. The awards presented were the ‘Engagement Award’, won by Letchworth Garden City, the ‘Innovation Award, won by the British Schools Museum, and of course the ‘Creative Health Award. The runner up of the Creative Health Award was St Albans, in partnership with Hertfordshire ME/CFS, with their project called Communities-in-residence.

In addition all four Museums in Hertsmere were awarded a Heritage Heroes certificate for all the volunteers, which was collected by Ruth Stratton.

More info on the event HERE.   More info on Open Art Box CIC HERE.

Footbridge To Parkfields

For #MemoriesMonday this week we are featuring some new photos we have just received. Sent to us by Peter Kirby they include some excellent shots from the early 70s taken around Borehamwood.  A couple here of the footbridge across to Parkfields by Red Road taken on a damp and misty day. Above is the entrance leading to the steps, and below the bridge itself. Would you believe we never had a photo of the bridge below.

Friends Evening With Nick Male

We get ready as Nick starts his talk

The Friends of the Museum gathered last week to welcome Nick Male for a talk and a lenghty chat. Nick is a well-known figure in Borehamwood and has many memories of his long association with the town. Concentrating our thoughts on The Thatched Barn he gave us the history of this long remembered local landmark from its building in the 30s upto its demise in the 60s. Throwing the discussion to the floor, there were many anecdotes and memories from the Friends who had visited the venue over the years, or knew stories about the swimming pool.  Of course we soon strayed off that topic and spent a long time reminiscing about the area. 

If you are not a Friend of the Museum then you should be! Please visit our Friends page on this site for more information or click HERE for a joining form.

Nick In Full Flow

Just A Wee Question

For #MemoriesMonday here is a colourful photo discovered in our files.  The full picture shows that the Morris Dancers are behind a board advertising that 'This Entertainment is provided by Elstree  & Borehamwood Town Council'. But we are concentrating on the fancy uni-toilet behind the merry dancers. Does anyone remember this?  And where was it?  And what happened to it?!

Memories of Schooldays

The National School in Theobald Street

For #MemoriesMonday we go back to school, again. As previously mentioned our next Exhibition opening in April will be called Six Of The Best and is covering every school in our area from the original National School - just about still surviving in Theobald Street - to the brand new Hertswood Academy on Cowley Hill. We are looking for your input - photos, uniforms and, certainly, memories. Please contact us via this website or pop in for a chat.

Hertswood Academy

St Theresa's Primary School Visits

We had a visit on Tuesday from Year 5 at St Theresa's who had fun with our model railway, old games, maps of the area and other historical delights. Here we have shots of School staff and Museum volunteers showing the pupils how Borehamwood was in the not so distant past :

School Memories

On #MemoriesMonday we return to the thoughts of schooldays. Our next Exhibition, Six Of The Best, will be opening in March and will cover all the schools in Elstree and Borehamwood over the years.  So we need your input - your memories, your memorabilia, and anything associated with your schooldays. Tomorrow our regular Reminiscence meeting, Going Down The Village, will cover this topic, and we hope to pick up lots of memories. Perhaps you can make it to 96 Shenley Road at 10.30 am?

In the meantime, here's three pupils having a look into the pond at Lyndhurst School :