Blog

ToysRUs

Our most recent Going Down The Village reminiscence session proved to be quite a lively activity due to the topic of Toys and Games and we had a variety of vintage toys which sparked many fond memories. Among them were Diabolo, Marbles, Skipping Rope, YoYo, Sooty & Sweep Hand Puppets, and a Kaleidoscope. Cheryl proved to be expert level at Jacks as you can see. We were treated to a vintage game of SCOOP! that we were unfamiliar with and our grateful thanks to Sue and Peter Williams for bringing it in. Do you remember SCOOP! or did you have another favourite?

Reel Streets On Tour

Those of you who love to know where your favourite film was shot - " That location looks familiar" - must visit the website reelstreets.com.  This site will guide you to where the location was, and, sometimes, how it looks these days. So a couple of times a year friends and contributors to the website visit an area to check out the locations and find more. Their trip this time was to Borehamwood and Elstree where many a film has been shot outdoors over the last 100 years. A three mile walk up Deacons Hill Road, Allum Lane, Furzehill Road, Shenley Road, and Clarendon Road was most productive. And of course a visit to the Museum for our current exhibition, Ribbon Of Dreams - A Celebration of 100 Years of Elstree Studios.  

Even if all the shops have changed over the years, there are many films featuring Shenley Road. And if you ever visit Whitehouse Avenue you will find George & Mildred's house, while The Wellington has been spotted in a film or two.  Thanks to Phil Wilkinson of Reelstreets for organising the walk.

The Friends Meet The Stunt Man

To highlight our latest Exhibition Ribbon Of Dreams - Celebrating 100 Years of Elstree Studios, The Friends of the Museum were invited last night to meet and hear the stories of Paul Weston, Stuntman extraordinary.  After a 60 year career as an actor, stuntman, and director, his fund of stories about the stars he knew and the films in which he created many daring stunts was amazing. Starting at Elstree Studios in 1965 when he was a stand-in for Roger Moore in The Saint, he reminisced about his early days in Boreham Wood. There were so many stories of stars he stunted for from Robert Redford, Christopher Reeve, Kevin Costner, Timothy Dalton, and many many more. Of course he worked on many of the James Bond films with Roger Moore, and some of the hair-raising train stunts he performed were described in great detail.

Paul has so many stories that his book Falling Into Film, is only the first volume and there are two more to follow.  Please check out Paul's website here for his exciting showreels and more details of his book and career. A thoroughly enjoyable evening for the Friends - please join for future exciting events!

The Friends And The Reservoir

We had a Friends gathering last week to hear from John Cartledge about his new booklet The Story of Aldenham Reservoir. Taking us through the history of the building of the dam and reservoir, the purpose behind it and following the story through the centuries. He told us about the many incidents including the aircraft accidents in World War 1, and the gradual lessening in popularity of the lake for swimming from its heyday in the 1930s to the end of the sixties. Although sailing and angling continued up to the turn of the century, the many problems of ownership and dam repair in recent years have led to a decline in its use. At least the Park Run is still using the Reservoir.

And the booklet is available from the Museum for £3.

Friends Explore Schopwick House

Our most recent Friends event took place at 96 Shenley Road on Tuesday when Ann Shuker gave a talk on the origins and history of her house, Schopwick Place. From its earliest incarnation upto the present day Ann explored its various stages of development. She featured the many people who had lived there over the centuries from the first house which was demolished and replaced by the present building.

Perhaps the most famous residents were the Everett family. Sir Percy was one of the founders of the Scout movement and Baden-Powell was a frequent visitor. Percy's daughter, Winn, was a well-known Elstree GP and considered a pioneer in medecine. The book about her life is on sale in the Museum.

Ann then explained the work that was carried out on the house after they bought it in 1999 and how it took 5 years to bring it up to date and modernised. She brought in a collection of items that had been found in the house and gardens including the complete clay pipe bowl discovered in the cavity walls.

Thanks to Ann for a facinating look into an important local landmark.

The Friends Visit Bletchley Park

Here's a few photos taken by Derek Allen when the Friends visited Bletchley Park recently. An excellent day out all concurred with much to view and acres to walk around. It's no secret now that you should be a Friend to enjoy such benefits!

  

 

  

 

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.

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