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Halloween Ghost Stories : Gate Studios

The Gate Studios c.1928

Opened in 1928, the studios were in use until the early 1950s, after which the building was occupied by Harkness Screens Ltd for the production of cinema screens, until 2003 when the studios were earmarked to be demolished to make way for 133 new homes.

Protests against the demolition of the studios building came from an unexpected quarter. The ghost of a man wearing 1920s clothing was seen by workers at the studios and looked like he was guarding something.

The figure was described as a smart, tall, bearded man in his forties to fifties, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. A cold blast of air accompanied his appearance.

He was seen on several occasions, once in a corridor wearing a long jacket where he was described by the witness as ‘just fading away’.

One morning in 2003, a maintenance engineer at the studios saw a shadowy figure out of the corner of his eye.  He was working on the floor, looking up at the cinema screen and saw the figure walk up the gangway and go behind some piles of foam.  When no one emerged, he went to investigate but no one was there.

Perhaps you can tell us more about the ghosts of the former studios and whether they wander the site of the new housing development?

1953 Coronation display by Gate Studios on waste ground in Shenley Road

Halloween Ghost Stories : Stirling Corner

Halloween Ghost Stories : Who is the Ghost at Stirling Corner?

Vic Rowntree shared this tale.   He remembers his father returning home from a late shift as a bar steward, very shaken up.  His father worked at the Kings Arms at Stirling Corner.  On this particular night he walked home along his regular route by the service road next to the A1 Barnet by-pass.  When he arrived home, pale and shocked, all he would say is that he had seen a ghost.  That same month, a local newspaper published an article asking if there was a ghost at Stirling Corner.

A resident of one of the nearby cottages reported hearing a strange noise outside his home and on investigation, found a woman standing smiling beside a derelict shed.  He looked around to see if anyone else was nearby and when he turned back, she had vanished.

Perhaps someone out there can tell us more!

Merry Christmas To All Our Friends

Merry Christmas to all our friends in Boreham Wood and Elstree, and we will see you in the New Year.
Thanks for visiting the blog this year, it's much appreciated!

A Virtual Festival Literay Event

As part of this year's reduced Elstree & Borehamwood Town Festival we present for you a Virtual Literary Event featuring among others Tony McHale (Actor, writer, Producer, Director); Alexander S. Bermange (Composer and Lyricist) and Paul Welsh (Film Historian and Author) as well as members of our own "Writers in the Wood", Lorraine Reed, Rosemary Wiseman and Steven Pemberton. Please click here to see the Event on YouTube.

Hollywood In Hertfordshire

Local film historian Paul Welsh has written his next book!  50 years since the sudden closure of MGM British Studios, Paul shares stories and photos from the wonder years when the Elstree Way site was world-famous and played host to some of Hollywood's biggest names. As well as the stars, there are stories from behind the scenes, sharing the experiences of the local men and women from Elstree and Borehamwood's film families. You can find out more and order the book by clicking here.

Do you have any Lockdown Photos?

Here are a few of our Lockdown Photos from around Borehamwood.  If you have any unusual ones, please add them to our Facebook page!

VE DAY : Friday 8 May 2020

Please see the video here for more details

Lest we Forget

In line with government guidelines, Studios Rotary Club are pleased to announce that they will run a virtual Celebration on Friday May 8^th .

·      2.45pm Town Mayor, Cllr Simon Rubner, Cllr.Morris Bright Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, will give a message to Town residents: Anthony Wass, Royal British Legion Exhortation, Studios Rotary Club President Nick Male  will introduce the rest of the programme; 

·      2.55pm Andrew Grady will play “The Last Post” on his cornet from his back garden.  He will join 1000 players across the Nation;

·      3.00 pm George MacGregor will play on his bagpipes ‘The Battles Over’  also, from his back garden. This was a piece specially commissioned for 2018 celebrating the end of WW1. A specially commissioned piece of music.’VE75’. will be played by a1000 pipers across the nation;

·      The Nation will be invited to ring out the Bells of Peace;

Historical Things To Do Today

Bit fed up with all this?  Then have a bit of History to get you through the day with a couple of suggestions from our Volunteers :

Matt says check out the Herts At War website here and the associated videos on YouTube here.

"The Herts at War Project looks at the history of Hertfordshire in the First World War.  It aims to commemorate those who fought, died and survived.  It also aims to give perspective to the war, and to inform more about the Home Front.  Through doing so, the project interacts with the descendants of those who served, and educates the population of Hertfordshire, about the county’s role in the Great War."

And if you prefer to look underground try your hand at a free Archeology Course recommended by Helen here. It is free – ignore the pay screen!

Enjoy!

Volunteers’ Stories Two : Ruth Stratton

Our favourite Hertsmere person is looking after us and other vulnerable residents during the Museum lockdown.
From Saturday’s Borehamwood Times :

“Museums Officer Ruth Stratton is still providing what support she can to the borough's museums and assisting them with their online content.  She said: ‘My day job involves working with the borough’s four volunteer-run museums. Many of the volunteers are elderly and live alone and need support during these difficult times.

‘For me, helping the vulnerable residents by offering to deliver their shopping and keeping in touch to make sure they are doing OK, is a small way to give something back to our residents.’ “

Our picture shows Ruth with the Museum Van.

Mary Hanson

Mary was a founder member of the Borehamwood History Society, along with Alan and Ann Lawrence, and its first Chair. This became the Elstree & Borehamwood Museum where Mary became a valued volunteer, and gave her the opportunity for regaling of anyone who would listen to her historical reminiscences. Mary wrote a very informative booklet “The Birth of All Saints' Parish, Boreham Wood” which incorporated much historical information about the whole area and is available from the Museum website.

Mary is remembered by many local residents as the proprietor (along with her brother) of Hansons “sweet shop and tea room” located where Starbucks now is in Shenley Road. This was featured in the Museum Exhibition in 2017, Down The Shops.  However Mary was tirelessly active in the community as a Rotarian and St. Albans Abby Guide in addition to her work in the Museum and attendances at All Saints Church.

Mary never married but was a great dog lover, taking her Labradors for regular walks over Woodcock Hill, a local cause of which she was a great supporter. Originally living over the shop, she moved to Tennison Avenue when the shop closed and spent her final years in the Radley Care Home.

Mary will be remembered with great affection and respect, and for a long time, by those of us who knew her. May she rest in peace.

This message has been received from Mary’s family:

“Mary was born 15^th Feb 1933. She lived all her life in Borehamwood after Bert Hanson, her father, acquired the property at 73 Shenley Road (now Starbucks). Hansons including the tea room and confectioners/newsagent became Mary’s home with her mother and father. There was ample room above the shop for living and a good sized back garden for her dogs which were a source of great companionship for much of her life. She worked with John who, after National Service, also dedicated his entire working life to the business.

After Mary’s mother died she took on the role of looking after her father as well as working tirelessly in the kitchen making the famous pastry for the sausage rolls and pasties. She was also an active Guide at St Albans Abbey for many years.

Mary was an active Aunty for John’s Children (David, Kate and Mike) and took them on many trips to London and Stratford to museums during the holidays. She certainly encouraged a love of all things historical.

Moreover, Mary followed in Bert’s footsteps through Rotary becoming a Life Member and attending lunches and meetings. One of her serious passions was travel and for many years she would visit Rotary Friends in the US as well as explore historic sites around Europe and the Middle East. Mary knew a lot about many historic topics and was a huge source of knowledge for the community as well as her family. Indeed, much of her time after the business was sold 22 years ago, was spent volunteering with the Borehamwood History Society.

She would love to see her great nieces and nephews, Kon, Yiannis, Harriett, Gemma, Arthur and Alice and was keen to keep abreast of how they were doing in their young lives.

Her extended family will miss Mary very much. We’ve been touched by the notes on social media remembering Mary and the Hansons’ shop. These notes are a wonderful source of comfort to John and his family in these difficult times. Thank you to all who have taken the time to post.“

Mary Hanson : 15/2/1933 -11/4/2020