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Paul Welsh's Funeral

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

Friends Evening With Lesley Davies

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 Furzehill School burnt down. 

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

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 Drayton Road all the way through to our current home.  We ran several Exhibitions involving Paul and his work in Borehamwood. Most noticeably was Save Our Studios which featured his herculean efforts to ensure the historic Elstree Studios was saved from the bulldozer. He recently gave us permission to reprint his two books Elstree Confidential and MGM British Studios, so we are indebted to him for that.

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

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.

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

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 :

Our Ten Year Celebration

Would you believe we have been open in 96 Shenley Road for 10 years this weekend?  So of course we needed to get out the balloons and the banners and congratulate ourselves on this achievement. Choosing a quiet time when the library is closed we laid out the cakes and the coffee, and had to take a photo or two. Our group shot shows many of the current volunteers, while the other shot shows Ruth, who controls us on behalf of Hertsmere, with Peter our computer wizz who didn't make the group shot. And our doorway explains all.

Parkside School Visit

We had a visit from 27 second-years from Parkside School last week. Our Museum Manager Dave explained all the changes to this area from the coming of the railways in the 1860s.  Two volunteers, Helen & Audrey, dressed in their Victorian finery to show groups of the children the changes to the maps, and to the local shops including Hanson's, of course. The latter display is from our current Exhibition, Your Museum @ 10, and many of the children dressed up as well. A bit of fun along with the facts!

Half-Term Blues

Half-term may be over, but here's a photo for #MemoriesMonday of the start of a brand new term at a brand new school. The opening ceremony at Borehamwood Grammar School on 31st October 1956, nearly 70 years ago. Is that you in your new blazer or tunic? Can you remember the names of the teachers in the photo?