September 27, 2006

The news this week...

100 years ago

AN ADVERT was placed for a “good family and commercial” hotel in Boxmoor. Heath Park Hotel owned by R.A. Hodgson, offered “splendid rooms for wedding breakfasts, luncheons, teas and dinners” as well as livery and bait stables and billiards. Some of the drinks available were: “Worthington’s I.P.A pints, 4s per doz.” and “Royal Glendee whisky”.

A SUCCESSFUL concert was enjoyed at Boxmoor Hall thanks to the efforts of the Apsley Cycling Club.
The concert took place on Wednesday evening and the performers entertained a large crowd who demanded several encores. The performances, carried out in a “business-like manner” were directed by Mr Charles. P. Ingrem and included several comedic numbers as well as musical ones.

HARVEST festivals took place all over the town including services at Marlowes Wesleyan Church and The Baptist Church on Primrose Hill.
The buildings were “lavishly decorated” with fruits, flowers and vegetables. The service at Marlowes Wesleyan Church was given by Rev. J. Dymond and the service at the Baptist church by D. Macmillan. The crowds enjoyed hymns which were “heartily rendered” by the choirs.

STEAM engines were requested for commuters from Hemel Hempstead to London.
The Gazette reported that “Mr Cooper inquired if the council could not use their influence with the Railway company in order to get more afternoon trains to London. He thought that the council were the proper people to move in the matter. More of the trains were wanted as the service at the time was described as “shocking and shameful”.

50 years ago

THE HUNT for the murderer of Mrs. Diana Suttey became “more and more a matter of methodical, routine checking”, the Gazette reported.
Police began to check 250,000 cars, any of which could have belonged to the “kid-glove strangler”. A report read: “It is an enormous task. Nevertheless, it is being carried out thoroughly and, eventually every owner of the 250,000 cars will have had to describe his movements on the afternoon of September 7th’, the day Diana’s body was found.
Police overlooked nothing as the “Marathon” hunt continued, asking hundreds of opticians for the names of people supplied with thick lenses in the previous few years, as these were the kind of glasses the murderer was reported to have been wearing.

GUINEA PIGS proved to be popular at the Boxmoor Pet Show as 30 were entered, a higher entry than any other class.
The days events were in aid of raising money for the RSPCA. The “smooth organisation” would not have been possible without Secretary of the Boxmoor Branch of the RSPCA, Mrs E.A Fielding and Inspector Slater.
The Gazette reported: “The proceedings were thoroughly enjoyed by adults and children alike.” The winners included: Noreene Finglass, Richard Sharp, Jane Wyborn, Anthony Baydon, Bronwen Lee, Linda Knight, Julie Mayne, G.Syzmanska and Mrs Badrick.

PRINCESS Margaret was flown to Mombasa by Mr J. Robbie, of Simon Dean, Bovingdon.
Mr Robbie was a radio officer of the B.O.A.C Argonaut “Ajax”, the second sector of H.R.H Princess Margaret’s flight. The flights were operated by two crews, the first from London to Kano and the second from Kano to Mombasa.
Born in Aberdeen, Mr Robbie joined the R.A.F when he left the Ballater Secondary School Aberdeenshire and went to serve in the Middle East. Mr Robbie was married and father to three children.

25 years ago

IT WAS “eyes up” when a group of girls from the Top Rank Club organised a fund-raising event in aid of the Community Chest.
A report read: “The girls took to the stage to display their ample charms. And they had the much needed support of local police in a joint venture to raise money.” A charity football match also took place and the breast side definitely won as the girls beat the police officers 8-6.
The girls were transported from the club to the match free of charge by local firm Ronsway Coaches. The evening concluded with a disco and the day’s fund-raising events raised more than £250.

SMOKERS went cold turkey as no smoking-zones were introduced in buildings such as the Pavilion and the Dacorum Sports Centre. Similar bans occurred at the Tring Swimming Pool and the changing areas at the Little Hay Golf Course Club House. Councillor Richard Halling voted against the scheme as he said it “smacked of making decisions for other people”.
However the final decision rested with the whole council and a report read that: “Committee Chairman Councillor Robert Peake said it was widely accepted that smoking and passive smoking was a health hazard.”

COURAGEOUS John Barber of Bromley, Long Marston, returned home from his voyage across the channel feeling “tired but exhilarated”. The Gazette reported that one-legged John’s “courage and spirit - and that of 14 other Members of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association who also made the crossing - were rewarded with a 12ft yacht.” The £2,500 dinghy was a fitting reward for the groups ‘tremendous achievement’.

Heritage special

Years fly by but class keep it together

A GROUP of former pupils at Hemel Hempstead Grammar School have reunited to remember their school days, 55 years after they first started their education.
David Wallis, of Fields End, was one of the 1951 intake at the school who have tried to stay in touch over the years.
In January this year they put an appeal in our sister paper, the HeraldExpress to try to find any of their contemporaries who might like to take part in a reunion.
David said: “It was very effective and we had a good response. We had about 30 people from the whole year and mainly from one class. We had two people come from Australia, one from Jamaica and one from France.
“We had a reunion about 20 years ago in the 1980s but we made seven or eight new contacts this time and contacts of people who couldn’t make it.”
Despite the years that had passed the old friends soon found things to talk about.
David said: “It is very strange after so long. The instant reaction when you see some people is that you don’t recognise them. We all met at St John’s Church in Boxmoor and people were arriving and we just didn’t know if they were part of our party or not then suddenly their face would click or they’d say something and you’d remember. As the day went on everybody was just like they used to be.”
The day was almost ruined when the rental minibus was cancelled leaving the newly reunited schoolfriends stranded in Hemel Hempstead unable to reach Woodford Green in London to attend the bash
David said: “We got let down and A1 Limos stepped in at the last minute to save us and gave us some money off. We managed to get a 20 seater limo with champagne treatment, the lot, they absolutely made the day.
“It all went so well, everybody chatted, there was no nervousness or shyness. It was just like we’d been apart for a week, and there was not one walking stick between us! They have been such good events that it’s no good waiting 20 years to do the next one. I think when we are all 70 would be a good time to meet again.”
If you were in the class of 1951-56 and attended Hemel Hempstead Grammar School and would like to get back in touch contact David on 07779 048429 or email Rosemary Corbett on brfussey@tiscali.co.uk

School recognises changing times at 150th anniversary

POTTEN End School held a special church service to mark its 150th anniversary.
Current headteacher Jane Senior was joined by three past heads, parents, governors and pupils for the service.
Mrs Senior said: “The church have been heavily involved for the school’s whole history so we held a thanksgiving service in the church. It felt a bit pertinent with the threatened school closures in Hemel Hempstead and we realised how lucky we are there is still a school in Potten End after all this time.”
Year Four children read a history of the school while Year Three children read some thanksgiving prayers.
After the service guests enjoyed a specially prepared celebration cake, made by Evie Mead, who had children and grandchildren that attended Potten End.
Also on display was a copy of the school’s former punishment book from 1905.
Mrs Senior said: “It was found while the original school was being demolished in the 1960s. In the loft they discovered all the old log books and diaries dating from about 1874 so the history is very well chronicled. Among the books were two very full punishment books. They record all the times when children were punished for very minor things. Thank goodness we don’t have that now and things have changed!”
Among the punishments endured by the former pupils at Potten End according to the book was two whacks on the hand with a cane for untidy work and more for disobedience.
One child even received additional strokes of the cane on the hand for withdrawing his hand during the punishment!

September 20, 2006

The news this week...

100 years ago

THE Gazette offered some advise to would-be picnickers.
An article read: “Some Boxmoor ladies are asking how to run a successful picnic. The formula is: Take all day to prepare and start at 5pm, taking all the necessary paraphernalia, walk three or four miles past civilisation, to find that the tea has been left behind.
“Under these circumstances milk and water make a very good substitute for infants. But what about tee-totallers?”

A REPORT appeared regarding a fire in Felden.
It read: “On Sunday afternoon a thick hedge on the Felden Road opposite Shothanger Common became ignited and rapidly developed into a furious blaze for considerable distance. A messenger was dispatched to Hemel Hempstead on a bicycle for the local brigade and he arrived just as the Friendly Societies’ procession had arrived at the Parish Church.”
The brigades were taking part in the procession and quickly left to fight the blaze.
The report added: “Upon arriving a considerable length of hose was used and water pumped from a pond, all danger to the adjoining property being averted and the fire extinguished. The work of the brigades was a striking illustration of their value and efficiency.”

50 years ago

THE hunt for the  murderer of Diana Suttey intensified this week.
A report read: “Police continue relentlessly to close in on the murderer. The investigations, led by Det Supt Albert Griffin, of Scotland Yard and Det Supt Leonard Elwell, Hertfordshire CID Chief, have now settled down to methodical routine checking. Although not spectacular, this work is so meticulously thorough that, each day, the net thrown round the ‘kid glove’ murderer draws a little tighter.”
It added: “Enquiries are being conducted in the way a master chess-player solves a difficult problem on the board. Although this “game” - like a protracted game of chess - may take some time, every move is being calculated with penetrating scientific precision.”
A car identification parade - the first of its kind in Britain - was held in Hemel Hempstead.
The report continued: “About 64 cars, loaned by local motor car dealers and private motorists, took part in the car identification parade which was held on Gadebridge Road. The object of the parade - unique in the history of British crime detection - was to try to establish definitely the exact type and colour of the car which the murderer used to dump his victim’s body.”

THE Gazette accused the Minister for Transport of hypocrisy.
A report read: “The Mind that Child road safety campaign is having considerable success in its initial stages. Publicity has been given to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Transport and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to reduce child casualties on the roads.”
But it added: “There appears to be something hypocritical about the Ministry of Transport statements expressing horror at the accident figures. The minister must know that accidents could be reduced still further if the roads themselves were to be improved.”

25 years ago

MP Nick Lyell, was among hundreds who joined in a protest march to save the maternity unit at Hemel Hempstead hospital this week.
A report read: “Mother of three children, and expecting a fourth - on Christmas Day - Mrs Lyell feels strongly about keeping maternity facilities in the town.”
She told The Gazette: “Even if you are lucky enough to have a second car to use, going elsewhere for maternity care puts a terrible strain on the family. A mother with other children would have to make arrangements for them to be looked after for something like five hours a day on ante-natal visits.”
According to The Gazette report of the march: “They made their damp, but not dispirited way, along Marlowes to Times Square in the town centre. A couple of police officers led the way and a police car brought up the rear. Vigorous campaigner against any hospital losses in the district, Zena Bullmore, continually rallied marchers with calls and chants.”

THE “biggest and best ever” Dacorum Steam Rally was held at Bovingdon airfield this week.
A report read: “Organiser Jack Evans said the show - which he renamed the Big Family Day out - was very successful, both financially and by the record number of people who attended.
“Mr Evans, who organises the event with his wife, four sons and their families, decided to break with the traditional Gaddesden Row showground and move to the more spacious airfield. And his gamble paid off.”

Heritage Special

AN appeal has gone out from one of the country’s largest collections of old photographs for Dacorum residents to add memories of the area to their website.
The Francis Frith Collection boasts more than 100,000 photographs from across the UK taken between 1860 and 1970 of more than 7,000 cities, towns and villages and they have all been placed on-line for access by the public.
Among the collection are many images of Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring and the surrounding villages and Francis Frith are keen to create a web community that allows people to share their memories and maybe even re-connect with old friends or colleagues.
Julia Skinner of Francis Frith said: “A huge selection of the photographs can be viewed on the Frith website including many of the Dacorum area.
“Photographs of local scenes taken many years ago show us how familiar neighbourhoods, streets and buildings have been transformed over decades - but it is the stories behind the photographs which truly bring them to life.”
Francis Frith received thousands of letters and emails from the public telling personal stories inspired by seeing photographs from the collection and decided to incorporate these stories into the website.
With genealogy and personal history currently very popular the Frith memories hope people will be able to use its historical archive to get in touch with old friends, or even relatives.
Frith’s managing director John Buck said: “This new online community will enable people to renew memories of the places that have been important in their lives, to discover more about their local and family history and to preserve memories for future generations that might otherwise be lost.”
The site also allows people to view and purchase old photographs from all over the country.
Mr Buck added: “The unique nature of the collection - depicting the scenes that were part of everyday life for our parents and grandparents - has always evoked personal memories of a local area.
“Anyone familiar with a local area can immediately see the changes that have taken place over the last 150 years.”
The Francis Frith website can be reached at www.francisfrith.com and users can add their memories by clicking on the Share Your Memories section.
We also want to hear about your memories for the Local History pages at our website, www.hemeltoday.co.uk

September 8, 2006