Best-selling author announces fundraising talk supporting Frogmore Paper Mill after devastating fire

A best-selling author is providing a special talk centred around raising funds for Frogmore Paper Mill.

Glenda Young, is fundraising to assist the mill, which is still dealing with the after affects of the devastating fire, that destroyed the famous building.

Glenda has extensively researched the venue in the past, one of her novels is called: The Paper Mill Girl.

Her talk at the Hertfordshire venue will focus on why she wrote a paper mill based story and how it was researched.

The Apsley Paper Trail archive was one of her sources of information Glenda used and is directly referenced in the book.

Taking place on 10 November, Glenda will talk about her historic sagas and her female heroines.

She is also bringing copies of The Paper Mill Girl, which can be signed on request.

Frogmore Paper Mill Visitor Centre was destroyed in a major fire in January 2022, the remaining structure had to be demolished.

Currently staff at the visitor site are unable to offer guided tours or museum visits.

It is hoped that a new visitor centre can be constructed in the near future.

Two teenage boys admitted to starting the fire, which required 12 firefighting crews to put out.

They received arson convictions for triggering the blaze that forced staff and volunteers to work round the clock to save artefacts that were nearly destroyed.

Speaking in March, after the boys were convicted, Deborah Newsham, from the Dacorum Local Crime Unit, said: “I hope that any young person who is considering playing with fire sees this case and thinks twice.

“This incident demonstrates the consequences of reckless behaviour and although I know the boys involved never meant to cause such devastation, they had no thought for what might happen when they started the fire and how quickly the flames would spread.

“The fire, which was battled by dozens of firefighters, destroyed precious artwork and historic documents from the famous papermill, as well as causing millions of pounds worth of damage. Thankfully no one was injured in the fire.”