Blog

Elstree History Walk

Gathering in Elstree

Our annual History Walk, part of the Civic Festival, was in Elstree this year.  Dave Armitage, Museum Manager, has done much research on the village, and he led us around ably assisted by John Woolston, Museum Volunteer, who handled the many photos with aplomb.  We learnt of murders, tragic bombs, and stray bullets in a 2 hour plus walk around the fascinating history of the area.  From large houses of historic interest, via St Nicholas Church, to schools, open spaces, hidden routes through hedges, we met the local historical figures still haunting Elstree.  From the murders of Martha Ray and William Weare, both buried in the churchyard, to actor William Macready and Sir Percy Everett of Boy Scout fame, and Sir Trevor Dawson with his passion for Tudor style black and white on Edgewarebury House and High Street Elstree.  We ended up at the Holly Bush which is of course closed, but is probably the oldest building in Elstree after the church.  Can’t wait for next year!

By the graves of Martha Ray and William Weare

Exploring Schopwick Place

Festival Flower Show At All Saints

As part of this year’s Civic Festival the Flower Show in All Saints is open today, Saturday, and Monday morning for coffee.  The theme this year is Celebrations, and we are celebrating our Accreditation under the Arts Council scheme. Lovely flowers in abundance so make sure you pop into All Saints asap!

Mystery History Walk

Join us on Sunday 23^rd June for our annual History Walk which is part of the Civic Festival.  We are meeting in St. Nicholas School Car Park in Elstree, and then it becomes a mystery as to exactly where Dave and John will take us -   explaining the fascinating history of the village as we go.  It will be two hours well spent!

Museum AGM Held on Friday

The Museum Trustees held their annual AGM yesterday when Dave Armitage, Museum Manager, gave his annual report, and details of finances and other forthcoming events were discussed.

Schools Week At The Museum

On Thursday March 21st, we were delighted to welcome Year 3 from St Theresas Primary.  The class explored traditional (pre-games console!) toys, and each pupil had a chance to make their own classic animated flip book.  Many thanks for visiting - looking forward to welcoming you again soon.

And on Monday, March 25th, Museum Manager, David Armitage gave a presentation to a class of Yavneh College Sixth Formers.  Dave explained the history of Elstree and Borehamwood since the 1930's.  Our presentation was very well received, with some excellent questions from a great class.  Thank you, Yavneh College, for welcoming us - looking forward to welcoming you to our Museum soon.

The Boys From Habs Visit Us

This morning, we were delighted to welcome twenty-four Year Twelve students from the local Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School.   The boys listened to an excellent presentation by Dave Armitage, Museum Manager, and then had the opportunity to interview some of our local residents about the changes that they have seen during their time in Elstree and Borehamwood.  Thank you Haberdashers’, for bringing a fantastic group of students.  It was a pleasure to have you, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.

John Schoonraad Amazes The Friends With Is It Real?

Although his name is not that well known outside of the film industry, his work is familiar to any film-goer who has seen strange happenings on screen – ghosts, werewolves, aliens – or battle scenes with exploding bodies and carnage.  Someone has to create all the special effects, and, if it involves bodies, then you can bet John is involved.  He told the Friends at their latest exclusive Evening, that he started as a plasterer 40 years ago and after moving to Borehamwood got a job at Elstree Studios where his talent led him to creating ‘lifecasts’.  If an actor had to perform a dangerous stunt, or to loose a limb or head, then he would make a cast of them from life which could be used for any sort of stunt.  Once it was all down to silicon on the skin, but now it’s done by laser scanning, which is quicker and cleaner.  His latest work is in the medical sphere where he uses silicon to create babies at different stages for teaching, and he passed a “baby” around for us to see his creativity.

A fascinating evening for anyone interested in films – the next time you see Saving Private Ryan you will know that John is in there pumping blood out of his lifecasts.  More details can be found on his website, http://lifecast.co.uk/

A Year In Photographs Coffee Morning

Elaine, Helen, and Clive at the stand

The Museum took part in the quarterly Coffee Morning sessions held at All Saints, on Saturday. Their purpose is to show people in Borehamwood and Elstree some of the many activities, clubs and entertainments they can visit and get involved in. The title for our displays was A Year In Photographs. Hard to choose just a handful from the many photos we collected last year from all the events, but hopefully the selection put across some of the things we have enjoyed! A steady flow of people came in and a couple at least then went up to see the latest Exhibition in the Museum S.O.S. - the story of the successful, eight year campaign to Save our Studios. Not to be missed!
Thanks to Andrew Grady for the photos.

Elaine and Mayor Victor Eni

Paul Welsh visits The Friends

On Wednesday night local celebrity, film historian and excellent raconteur, Paul Welsh, spent an evening with The Friends of the Museum.  Linked of course to our current exhibition about his successful efforts to Save Our Studios, it was a chance for us to hear first hand how he and a dedicated team had managed the seemingly impossible task of ensuring Elstree Studios did not become more supermarkets and blocks of flats. To undertake this enterprise with no financial backing and against heavyweight business interests, and then succeed against the odds has become a key event in our local history. So Dave Armitage introduced Paul and told how well the Exhibition was going.  Paul  spent some time explaining how the campaign worked out and what was involved. Then Maureen Corman, our Friends Organiser, used the rest of the time asking Paul about the films and stars he had met and interviewed over the years.  Many a fascinating story was heard before the tea and bioscuits. If you are not a Friend you should be, here.

Monksmead School Visit Number Two

After last week’s visit by Monksmead Year One, this morning we were very pleased to welcome Year Two from Monksmead School.  Dave, Helen and Matt led the children in three activities.  Dave delighted our young visitors by working with them to create animated ‘flip’ books, allowing the children to create their own mini cartoon. After this, Dave showed them 8mm film, and explained the process by which it is edited.

Helen showed the children costumes from The Railway Children film and allowed them to participate in a clip from the film, using our very own CGI.  Finally, Matt explained how old-fashioned toys entertained ‘pre-tablet’ generations of children! Our visitors then left, after thanking us for the lovely morning they had enjoyed. Thank you, Monksmead School, for bringing your class. Special thanks to Mrs Moynihan, and her colleagues for arranging this. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.