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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

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