THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF MUSEUM New Series No. 14 elcome to the latest edition of the history of music in Bushey. And what Autumn 2016 the Friends of Bushey about your working lives, did you work W Museum’s Journal. It contains its for a Bushey firm? usual collection of articles on a wide range of topics and I hope that there is Ian Read has been helpful in finding something of interest for everyone. This photographs to illustrate the articles as time not only do we have a husband and well as providing an article himself, and wife contributing, Pat and Tony Woollard, Nick Overhead is responsible for the but also a mother and son, Mollie and layout and design of the Journal. Andrew Thomas – this must be quite Thank you. unusual in local history journals. Thank you to all the contributors. A registered charity in support of At last we have a piece about drama, Please keep the articles coming in: Bushey Museum from Phil Kirby, but there must be many without your support there will be no Registered Charity 1039713 more memories and ephemera out Journal. there. I’m still waiting for something on Janet Murphy

Journal Editor IN THIS ISSUE Janet Murphy Memories of a Student 2 Layout and Design 2 Mary Sloane remembers her student days with Hubert Herkomer Nick Overhead This Happy Breed 5 Philip Kirby talks about the Bushey Museum Noel Coward classic Rudolph Road Bushey, Herts WD23 3HW Evacuees - The story of two Sisters 6 Tel; 020 8420 4057 8 Jennifer Parker talks to Eileen and Beatrice Law E; [email protected]. Open; Thurs-Sun 11am-4pm John Williams V 8 Tony Woollard tells the history of a model ship The Journal is published by the Friends of Bushey Museum Bushey Grove Apple 10 and is mailed to all friends and 10 Katharine Whitaker and our locally selected local organizations. named apple Contributions on all aspects of Bushey’s social and artistic history are A Goal to the Heath 12 welcome and should be sent direct to Recollections of Mollie’s early life the editor at the Museum. on the Heath The Friends support the activities of Bushey Museum and can be contacted The Locked Shed 15 via The Secretary, 119 Road 16 Robert Norman and a Bushey, Herts WD23 2LU mystery building Down your Street 16 © Bushey Museum 2016 The history of Herkomer Road

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Ashfield School Football Teams 60 years apart 20 The changing faces of a local 20 football team.

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Mary Annie Sloane (1867-1961) arlier this year Pat and historic buildings Tony Woollard visited an and exhibiting Memories of My Time as a Student exhibition of the work of with the E Mary Sloane at the New Leicester Society Walk Gallery in Leicester. The of Artists. curator kindly gave permission After a chance at Bushey under Professor Her for the extract of her diary komer. meeting in 1898 relating to her time in Bushey to with the Mary left these notes, which be printed in the Journal. Part 1 influential etcher Constance Pott, follows this brief biography and Mary was inspired to join Sir were probably notes for a part 2 will be in the next issue. Frank Short’s etching class at the talk, on numerous sheets and Born in Leicester in 1867 into Royal College of Art, based at the bits of paper – they were the wealthy family of surgeon National Art Training School in John Sloane and his wife Sarah, South Kensington, where typed by her great niece A.D. Mary lived with her parents, Constance was his assistant. They have not been edited. brothers and sisters at 9 Welford Mary’s growing artistic Place (later 13 Welford Road). reputation led to her joining the ushey students have a good Family summers were spent at Women’s Guild of Arts (WGA), many privileges and one of the Nook, the family cottage in founded in 1907 as a home the greatest is being allowed the village of Enderby, for female artists and artisans B to go and see Professor Leicestershire. otherwise excluded from the Herkomer at work every week in She attended the progressive male-dominated Arts & Crafts all stages of progress. Every Sunday Belmont House School, movement. Mary’s growing social afternoon he puts up most of the Leicester, where her early talent circle soon included many female pictures he has been working on in was recognised by art teacher artists, intellectuals and political the week and the students stream Edith Gittins, a great admirer campaigners. Most notable was in at the studio door and examine of William Morris and the Arts May Morris (younger daughter (and criticise) everything in the place. and Crafts Movement. After two of William Morris) who was an Professor H comes up and explains years at Leicester School of Art, influential textile designer and anything fresh and shows what new Mary left for in 1887, to co-founder of the WGA. Mary experiments he has been trying and become a student at the National and May met around 1909 and tells what he means to do next to Art Training School, Kensington. would enjoy a lifelong friendship, make his pictures come right. From 1890-92, she attended including many visits to Kelmscott Herkomer’s Art school in Bushey, Manor. Sometimes interesting celebrities . At this time she Mary travelled widely, both in are there, painters and authors began to really demonstrate her Britain and on the continent, artistic self-belief with a series of including visits to the and scientific men and sometimes stunning watercolour paintings Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France it is generally rather hard to recording the important and Greece. She exhibited at the discover who they are and it is framework knitting industry in Royal Academy, Society of Women easy to mistake an alderman who The first time I went over the Midlands. Framework knitting Artists, Women’s Guild of Artists is thinking of getting Herkomer to to Bushey to explore and be machines were gradually and numerous others. paint his portrait from an author introduced to the Professor it was becoming obsolete, but remained In 1912 Queen Mary or an R.A., and so we find it best to go with a student to one of these in villages, providing much needed purchased a painting of Whitby to attend to the pictures and to Sunday afternoon receptions. He income. Abbey; later commissioning Mary take it for granted that important was living in a little old fashioned Mary’s middle class background to produce a miniature drawing looking guests are always intending house then and the new castle he and her financial independence for the Queen’s Doll’s House. In sitters. But we generally give our has been planning for years was ensured her successful the same year Mary was chief attention to the pictures as being built at the bottom of his transition to London in 1887. admitted as an Associate of the important looking people often garden. After a number of moves, she Royal Society of Painter-Etchers come and turn out to be merely settled at Bedford Gardens, and Engravers, an important rich folks who are thinking of getting There was no one about when Campden Hill, Kensingston. This milestone in her career. their portraits painted instead of we went in. There was a little brass remained her home until 1924. In later life Mary continued to being painters authors or R.A. or plate on the front door telling Mary made regular return visits exhibit even up into her 90s, scientific men. So we generally give students to go straight through to to Enderby and Leicester exhibiting work with the our chief attention to the pictures the studio and we accordingly went however, producing beautifully Leicester Society of Artists. In the and there are always plenty to look in and did not stop to examine the observed etchings and 1950s she left London to return at. hundreds of interesting things we watercolours of the town’s to live in Enderby. 2 THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF BUSHEY MUSEUM

new 2016 journal.indd 2 09/09/2016 10:03 Part 1 Memories of My Time as a Student at Bushey under Professor Herkomer. Pictures Bushey Museum Archive

Herkomer students and a giant snowball with the school building behind

The first time I went over passed in the house. We left our teacher that is the time. He is ready to Bushey to explore and be cloaks in a sitting-room half-filled to discuss anything from bicycling introduced to the Professor it was already with sticks and umbrellas to needlework or modern painting to go with a student to one of these for we were not very early and to modern dress. I once assisted in Sunday afternoon receptions. He there we saw a painting of Prof. H’s a heated discussion on the wearing was living in a little old fashioned dead wife and watercolour portraits of sandals. My friend had been house then and the new castle he of his babies at all ages and some wearing sandals in the school to the has been planning for years was beautiful carved furniture carved amazement of the other students being built at the bottom of his by the Professor’s father and uncle and they gathered round in a ring garden. from peculiar designs of his own. to hear the Prof. denouncing the There was a series of drawings of practice. I do not remember why There was no one about when country people in Bavaria which except that they needed a classical we went in. There was a little brass is his native country and when we dress to go with them according plate on the front door telling had glanced at these we came to to him and none of our arguments students to go straight through to the studio door and squeezed our had any effect. I have since seen an the studio and we accordingly went way through a crowd of students etching by him of Mrs. Herkomer in and did not stop to examine the to the front. If any of the students wearing sandals so perhaps he has hundreds of interesting things we want to discuss any point with their changed his views. The students

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new 2016 journal.indd 3 09/09/2016 10:03 Picture Bushey Museum Archive however must have been impressed for they took steps to enforce his Virginia Cottage ideas by hiding the unfortunate sandals, they did not turn up till the end of the term, but it was not until five years afterwards I learned where they had been hidden. I happened to hear only the other day.

They are rather fond of pranks of that sort. The last exploit I heard of in that line was that someone had rolled a huge snowball into the school door this winter blocking the way and there was trouble after as one master took it as a personal insult.

The life of a Bushey student is fairly independent. There used to be a comic picture in the students’ honours to strive for, they spend some don’t. There was one young magazine of a young student with half their time wishing themselves man there when I first went who long hair standing between an easel back in the prelim which they was said to work eleven hours in and an open door with duty calling appreciate more than ever when its the day (he didn’t) and there were him to come and work and pleasure doors are shut to them for ever. some who spent the chief part of beckoning him out to dance I think their time arranging dances and it was. They work for a year or two in picnics and only came into the the life class getting a criticism once school to look at the illustrated The Bushey students are divided a week from Prof. H and after the papers in the reading-room and do into two sets, the Preliminary class advanced class the correct thing five minutes work for the sake of who paint heads under a stern is to take a studio in the village appearances. junior master and the advanced – there are more than 60 now in class who paint under Prof. H. the neighbourhood so there is not Some of the idlest have got The preliminary class is where the much difficulty in renting one and on remarkably well though since when you have chosen your studio hardest work is done because the and as for that young man who the usual plan is to buy a large students are always desperately was said to work 11 hours a day, canvas and a bundle of new brushes anxious to get out of it and they Mr. Watts himself writes of him and shut yourself up with it every can only do so by sticking closely with admiration, his portraits and day for some months and let no one to their work and passing Professor biography are given in the papers in until you can produce a finished Herkomer’s examination for the life and he is to be one of the leading class. These competitions are held picture for criticism and admiration. painters in a year or two if not periodically and cause no end of A wagon load of paintings goes to sooner. excitement and rivalry over them the London exhibitions every spring. and bitter disappointment among There are 90 students in the school The regular school hours those who fail. The number depends and among them all they use up a are about 7 hours a day. We are on the amount of room there is in vast amount of canvas and materials. supposed to be there very early the life room (vacancies) about as 180 studies are done in the week for the classes begin at 8 and go much as on the merit of the work. which comes to 7200 in the school and what becomes of these studies on until 4 with time off for midday About 40 compete and no one ever knows. Perhaps maybe lunch. In the winter it is from half sometimes only one or two get the heating apparatus benefits. past 9 to 3 with an evening class at through. The next time perhaps 7. In the summer this evening class is nearly half. It is not from superior I have sometimes been asked if held early in the afternoon to leave merit, but because there are the students at Bushey do not have time for out of doors sketching after vacancies. When students get into to work too hard. That depends it and this outdoor work is what we the advanced class and have no new entirely on themselves some do and enjoy the most.

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Some of the people near allow the students to come into their grounds to sketch. There is a very This Happy Breed old garden at the Manor House which would make splendid pictures and it used to be simply crammed with easels and sketching classes, twenty people trying to paint apple trees and half a dozen more making a picture of a couple of ragged village children gathering daisies or perched on the swing. You had to be there early if you wanted to get a good place.

Some of the other neighbours were not so obliging. One farmer in particular was extremely violent and swore hard if he caught anybody trespassing off the footpaths especially if they were students.

Another farmer had a capacious orchard which appeared in half the picture exhibitions in the kingdom and it was given up to sketching parties from morning till night. Every student who owned a dog took it sketching too and tied it to the palings and occasionally they broke loose and varied the monotony of life by a dreadful fight.

There used to be another favourite sketching ground but it came to a sad end. There was an old house standing empty in a deserted garden in the middle of the village. The house was covered with seated on the left Virginian creepers to the chimney Philip Kirby hand side of the tops and the sketchers revelled table, turning and Following your request for in the place and painted pictures looking aghast at information about drama groups there entitled The Deserted Village, the two coming through the door! in Bushey, I thought you might Performances of this took place The Old Home, The Return of the be interested in this programme in both St James’s Hall in Falconer Wanderer and so on but the owner for, and the photographs of, the Road and St Peter’s Hall on Bushey apparently objected to having the play This Happy Breed by Noel Heath. I do not know what place over run with students and Coward, which was performed by happened to the British Legion there were rumours that swarms the newly formed British Legion Players after this production as of tramps slept there every night so Players. There is no date on the I became very much involved in on the principle of the dog in the programme but I think it must music and drama up at St Peter’s, manger the house was pulled down, have been 1946 or 1947. I came becoming Musical Director for the trees grubbed up, the ground out of the Royal Air Force in 1946 St Peter’s Players and subsequently laid waste and no one could wish to and joined the players for this Organist and Choirmaster at see a more hideous place than it is production (playing the part of St Peter’s Church for a number of now. Frank Gibbons). In the picture I am years (I am now 94 years of age).

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new 2016 journal.indd 5 09/09/2016 10:03 Evacuees -the story of two sisters This article is based on the recording of an interview windows and floorboards had all of Eileen and Beatrice Law by Jennifer Parker in March 2006.1 gone. All we had was what we stood up in.

The next morning they brought e lived in the east end drinking a pint when the coppers us all out in buses, we couldn’t bring of London at 12 Agate came running in to see if there was anything with us. When we were on Street, East Ham, near any gambling going on. They asked the buses we’d be asking: “Where W the Royal Albert and me once if I had seen anything and are we going Mum?” She would say: Royal Victoria docks. There were I acted a bit daft and said: “No” and “It’ll be all right – it’ll be nice you’ll four of us children: Alf was about when they asked what the men see.” 14, Eileen was about 10, Beat was were doing I said: “Drinking beer”. about 8 and Jimmy about 6. They took us to a place called Evacuation to Bushey Chingford Mount. We stayed in the We had a terrace house: you We came to Bushey when I school for about a week and then went in through the front door (Eileen) was 10 soon after the it was hit by an incendiary bomb there was a front room on the beginning of the 1939-45 war. and so we were put on the buses right and a passageway to the stairs When the bombers came over in again and brought to . We and a back room: through the back September 1940 the bombing was were taken to Ellams the printers room to the kitchen, which was horrendous. We never went to on Walton Road. We had a medical like a scullery and through the back bed – just went to the back door and were given food. A lady took off door and out into the yard, where and waited for the siren and then her coat and gave me her cardigan there was a place which we called we went down to the shelter. I can because I hadn’t got a coat. We the wash house with a big boiler remember standing by the door stayed there for a day and then they and a bath on a trestle thing. Inside and saying: “Mum can we go away took us round to try to billet us in the house, Mum had the back room from here?” and her replying: “I places round the area. and we shared the front room with don’t know love, but it’s going to Gran. Upstairs there were three be all right.” She was very calm so We went to a big house on more rooms; Mr and Mrs Wilson I didn’t feel too frightened because Grange Road and the lady of the lived in the front room with their I thought Mum’s here and she house said that she could take son and in the back room there was wouldn’t panic. grandmother and me, because I was an oldish couple – to us children the eldest. The housekeeper came they were old but they might not They bombed the docks: all in wearing a black dress – I can have been. The toilet was outside in our houses were blasted and the see her now – and she looked me the yard and we had to share it with school at the end of the road, South up and down, and my gran up and the people upstairs. I think it was Hallsville, was badly damaged and down, and she said: “Come to the rented from a landlord who used to a lot of people sheltering in the kitchen.” I went to the kitchen and come round for the rent. school were killed.2 The night sky she said: “You look a nice strong girl was red and even after all these – you can scrub floors can’t you?” In London all the houses had years I cannot stand a red sunset Now that was the worst thing she two or three families in them. Next because it brings it back to me. It could have said to my grandmother door they were a load of crooks. was as if the sky was bearing down because my grandmother was true We had a hutch with some rabbits on us and we could almost feel it. cockney, and I’m afraid my Gran told in and I used to sit on the top of it It took us a long time to get over her in no uncertain terms what she and look over into next door’s yard it; when jets started flying over I could do with her house and what and, on a Sunday morning, they were wanted to duck and today if I hear she could do with her scrubbing, sitting there gambling. They had a an engine stall I want to duck; it’s and her granddaughter wasn’t going pigeon loft and all of a sudden you still in the back of your mind. to do that, so out we came and would hear this noise and whoosh the poor billeting officer – I don’t – cards gone, table gone up into Our house wasn’t flattened but think he knew what had hit him and the loft and they’d be sitting there it was badly blasted and the doors, so we were back together again.

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cars to Caldecote, which was down Road. There were seven of us in our family and seven with the Evacuees-the story of two sisters Rogers family and Tommy Smith.

There was a lodge gate and we Picture Bushey Museum Archive went up a drive to a biggish mansion house – well we called it a mansion house. There was a cobbled yard and there were stables the other side. The people who had most to do with us were Miss Irene and Miss Dorothy; there was a little housekeeper there and she used to give us a pie now and again, which was very nice.

I think we stayed there about seven months because we had a Christmas there. Whenever I see a crib at Christmas I think of this because our stable was a proper stable with a manger and Mrs Rogers put her youngest son in there, but he wouldn’t stay put. They gave us mattresses on the floor – they gave us what they called paillasses. There were two corner stalls and four open stalls. We were in one corner stall and Mrs Rogers Mr and Mrs Vasmer in the porch at Caldecote. and her family were down the other Mum didn’t want us children to were in the school that got bombed; end which was warmer. Gran stayed be separated from the rest of the his mother and baby sister were in the tack room – she slept on a family so there was Mum, Dad, four killed and the two other sisters had chair thing. Grandad wasn’t with us children and my grandmother. disappeared, although they were then. He’d got lost and didn’t get on found later on.3 He was 10 like the bus. Aunt Liz found him: I don’t The families were kept together me and his father was at sea. Mrs know if she found him wandering and those they couldn’t billet Rogers said that they were going to around or sitting in the house on were taken to Cox’s on the By- stay together too. his own. Anyway she took him Pass where we were given a meal hop picking. When he finally came and sheltered for the night. Next Mrs Vasmer and her two back to us Aunt Liz and Uncle Jim morning we were in the canteen daughters lived at Caldecote and their two children came too, and people from around the area at Bushey Heath. We called the there were about nineteen of us in came and said we’ve got rooms daughters Miss Irene and Miss the stables. Our name was Knight, and could take this person or that Dorothy, and I think it was Miss Aunt Liz and Uncle Jim’s name was person, but they wanted to take Irene who said to mum and dad Kemp, Gran and Grandad’s name individuals, or two girls or two boys, that they couldn’t offer a cottage, was Biggerton and there was also but they didn’t want mum and dad but they had some stables which Rogers and Smith all in the stable as well. Dad said that we’d come were brick-built with a tack room at Caldecote. Just after Christmas through this so far, you’re not going on the side and, if we wanted to Grandad died of pneumonia in the anywhere and you’re staying with stay together, we could use it until tack room. He lay on a table with us as a family. Mum was talking to Bushey Council could house us. a marble top and Gran had these Mrs Rogers who had her family Mum said we would go with them candles put round it and she sat with her. She had four sons, her and Mrs Rogers asked if there was there night and day for three nights mum and dad, and she was looking room for another family. Miss Irene until the undertakers came and after poor Tommy Smith, whom she said yes they could take another took him away and we kids couldn’t knew. His mother and three sisters family and we went with them in go into the tack room.

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new 2016 journal.indd 7 09/09/2016 10:03 There was a fire or range or took photographs of us lying on the over he took us on it. We’d never something in the tack room and floor, which is where we used to had anything like it. We’d never seen mum and Mrs Rogers, who got on sleep. We thought it was hilarious, the country and I’d never seen a very well, did the cooking for the but I can’t remember who took the cow except in a picture. When they group. We ate in the tack room. pictures. came to be milked everyone flew There was a brazier in the middle of – they frightened the life out of the the main room. We only ever had a basin and a lot of us because they looked so strip wash because we didn’t have enormous. Imagine what it was like They really did look after us a bath. Once a week we had a hair to a ten-year-old who had never there, as best they could. A chap wash: it was the girls first, then out seen one. But we had some fun. came and took some photographs came the watering can and then the of the poor people, who had got boys – everybody was in stitches. Then Miss Dorothy got married nothing, evacuated and living in – none of us kids liked him very a stable at Christmas. They put a We used to help the gatekeeper, much. He was middle class and wore Christmas pudding on a table and as we called him to gather up all jodhpurs and we were lower class. all the children sat round. Then they the leaves and when the pond froze He used to come round and ask John Williams V A London Missionary Ship sailed to the Society Islands in the funded, as at Bushey, by children’s Tony Woollard South Pacific, which include Tahiti. collections of halfpennies (with They established their first mission the ship on the back). Models of ome months ago our good post on the island of Raiatea and the various ships were evidently friend Dr Chris Jordan asked used Tahitian converts to carry their an aid to encourage donations, as me if the Museum would message through the many other the Bushey example at one time S accept a model of the ship islands (all with jungle-covered had an accompanying collecting John William V. It had been offered mountains, coral reefs and turquoise box. Another model is in the to him by the Revd. Geoffrey lagoons). Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, and Farrar on behalf of the Trustees John and Mary returned to synagogue, formerly the of St Thomas United Reformed in 1834, bringing with them URC, has a stained glass window of Church, Watford. Because of the a mature, Samoan man called Leota, one of the John Williams ships in sail. rebuilding of the church they were who lived as a Christian in London The SS John Williams V was built looking for a new, appropriate home and was eventually buried under a at Grangemouth in 1930 and was a for it. I was pleased to accept as headstone provided by the London steel-hulled, three-masted, staysail originally it was displayed at the Missionary Society in Abney Park, schooner with an auxiliary engine. Bushey Congregational Church the non-denominational place of It was used throughout WWII to (subsequently the now closed rest. distribute supplies to various islands, United Reformed Church) and The Williams returned to but having survived the war, was it had been renovated by a Mr the Polynesian area in 1837 and wrecked on a reef off Samoa in Williams of Nightingale Road, resumed their successful missionary 1948. Bushey. work. In 1839, however, John We have discovered that a Williams, together with fellow The end of John Williams V Herbert Williams did indeed reside missionary James Harris, visited a John Williams V was sailing on her in Nightingale Road around the time part of the New Hebrides where last voyage in the Society’s service we believe the renovation took they were not known, and were when disaster struck her just two place, but as he is now deceased killed and eaten by local cannibals. days before Christmas Day 1948. we cannot know if he had any A memorial to John was erected After visiting the Gilbert Islands relationship to the original Mr on the island of Rarotonga. Mary she was making for Apia on Samoa Williams after whom the boat was Williams died in 1852, and was before proceeding to Suva for laying named. buried, like Leota, at Abney Park. up. So, who was John Williams? He The London Missionary Society At 3.30pm on 22nd December the was an English missionary born in went on to operate seven ships in Master sighted the island of Savaii, 1796 in north London. In 1816 he the Pacific, each in turn named John the most westerly of the four main was commissioned as a missionary Williams. The original was launched Samoan islands, a mountainous by the London Missionary Society, in 1844 and the last commissioned island devoid of roads and and a year later he and his wife in 1968. Each replacement was surrounded by an angry reef. The

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new 2016 journal.indd 8 09/09/2016 10:03 what are you children doing, where extent because we had never been Notes are you going, where are the boys anywhere. We’d only ever been 1. The two sisters married two brothers going? We felt here comes sourpuss in London. Mum and Dad had and consequently shared the same and we used to scatter. Miss been through the 1914-18 war. surname Dorothy had a beautiful wedding. They wanted to keep us together, 2. On 10 September 1940, local residents had taken shelter in the basement of and they tried to keep everything the school when it received a direct hit, The Council rehoused us the day as normal as possible. Being and the school was reduced to a pile of Miss Dorothy married and we were children we looked at everything rubble. Although the official casualty figure given a cottage on Highfield Road as an adventure, something new, was 77 dead, many years later it was something different. It was a new revealed that the figure was much higher, What was it like for us children world and we loved the freedom of making it the worst civilian tragedy of the war. http://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/ to be evacuated? I think it was it, and having our own space after second-world-war-bombing-raid-south- just such a shock that I don’t living in such crowded conditions hallsville-school/ think we took it in properly – it before. We weren’t lonely because 3. Tommy was re-united with his sisters happened so quickly and then it we were a big family and we were after their photograph appeared in a became an adventure to a certain always together. national newspaper.

were sighted. This was one of the small boats which plied between John Williams V A London Missionary Ship the Samoan Islands carrying a few it was clear passengers and copra. The Gaualofa Picture Hyman Barry that the took the three boats in tow to near ship was Avao. She was too small to render being driven assistance herself and she took the further passengers aboard leaving the boats onto the to make their way to Avao, where reef. First there is a small sheltered bay. Early the seven that morning two boats returned to passengers the wreck, where another attempt and six was made to tow the ship off sailors in the reef but this failed. The ship’s charge of company and volunteers from Avao the Second then began to salvage the ship’s The window depicting one of the Officer were placed in the surf boat gear; the wireless set, mattresses, John Williams with instructions to stand clear of binnacle, chronometers, and an Master set his course to take the the reef until daylight. A light was anchor – in fact anything they could vessel clear of the island by 10 miles. run up on the mast to show the lay their hands on; floating the There had been heavy storms in the position of the ship, but this soon booms and wooden gear ashore vicinity in recent days and at 9.30 failed when the rising water in the as a raft. Radio contact had been heavy tropical rain fell blotting out engine room put the dynamo out of made with the harbour master at any sight of land. At 1:35am there action. Apia who arrived on the scene to was a crash as the vessel struck The Master then decided to make a final effort to pump water the reef. Although the engines get the crew away in the lifeboats. out of the ship and tow her off the immediately went full astern they This was difficult because of the reef. It proved to be impossible were powerless to pull the ship off heavy seas and oil was poured onto and the vessel was abandoned as a as the surf had already lifted the ship the water to moderate the seas. total loss. A small ketch came into onto the reef. The waves pounded The first lifeboat held six men and Avao, collected the gear, and took the vessel causing the seams of the another six were placed in the the ship’s company to Apia with the plates to split and let water into the second lifeboat which was launched three boats in tow. engine room and the water tanks in by Captain Page and Chief Officer At Apia the gear was stored the ships bottom. Ward, who then had to jump into in the Harbour Master’s shed on Rockets and wireless distress the sea themselves and swim to the behalf of the Receiver of Wrecks, signals were sent out but there was lifeboat which picked them up. whose property it now was. The no one to see them on this isolated All three boats kept together officers and men were taken to the coast at 1:50am. As the water was with their oarsmen keeping them L.M.S. College for training pastors at coming in slowly the boats were not away from the reef. Just before Malua where they were hospitably launched immediately but by 3:30am dawn the lights of the Gaualofa entertained.

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new 2016 journal.indd 9 09/09/2016 10:03 Bushey Grove Apple Update

Katharine Whitaker

t has been 29 years since Bryen the apple ‘Good’s Bushey Grove Wood and Alan Pritchard wrote Apple’ and the Fruit Committee about the Bushey Grove apple, recommended ‘…that a shorter name I a famous local apple raised from should be given to the variety as an apple pip by Mrs Good in 1897. anything as long as “Good’s Bushey Alan Pritchard who was Chairman Grove” would be much against its of the Friends in 1987, wrote in the selling or becoming popular.’ (Fig1) Newsletter, No. 6 October 1987 that further research had revealed some The apple was introduced by Mr more information about the apple King in 1926 and he wrote an article and the people who were involved in 1928 espousing its culinary but no information on how the delights to the fruit growing trade. apple was marketed by Mr and Mrs I reproduce the article below which Good. was written for The Fruit Grower magazine, proprietors Benn In the last year I have been Brothers Ltd, Bouverie House, AN OPEN LETTER from working with Mr Clive Thornton, London, E.C.4 and must not be GEO. W. KING, F.R.H.S. great grandson of Mr and Mrs confused with the current magazine Good to document the history of of the same name which was only 11, Stafford Road, Sidcup, Kent. A Thornton & Son, Carpentry and begun in 1987. Nov.1st 1928 Joinery Workshop and Suppliers of To: The British Wood. Whilst sifting through a vast & Colonial amount of paperwork Fruitgrowers. dating back to before the First World War, we Gentlemen, came across two new Those of you who saw documents about the “Good’s B. G. Seedling” apple. One an article by at the Imperial Show, Geo. W. King of Sidcup, Manchester, have seen Kent, who was Mr Good’s what has been called cousin, and a letter from the Finest Culinary the Royal Horticultural Apple yet produced. Society. Both Mr Good The large Apple and Mr King were Fellows weighing 1 lb. 5½ ozs. of the Royal Horticultural shown on the Stand Society. was a great attraction and just missed On the 31 January 1922, securing the Prize for the apple was unanimously the Largest Apple in voted an Award of Merit by the Show. - “Better the Fruit Committee of the luck next time.” Royal Horticultural Society This is the first and Mr Good received a time the “B. G.” has letter from the secretary, been shown at a dated (1 February 1922,) to Commercial Show. tell him of the good news. I am very pleased However, Mr Good had named at the reception it Fig1 10 THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF BUSHEY MUSEUM

new 2016 journal.indd 10 09/09/2016 10:04 has carried heavy crops each year since that date. A successful exhibitor at the Show remarked that on account of the Bushey Grove Apple Update shape and attractive appearance it was ideal for boxing. If you were not at the Show and would like to learn more of this Wonderful Apple, drop a postcard to Yours faithfully, G. W. King

Mr Good and Mr King marketed Fig2 the Bushey Grove apple tree, producing a very colourful flyer, (Fig2) where they describe the apple: ‘The fruit is a large, round, culinary apple of excellent keeping and cooking quality. It is pale yellow green, with distinct stripes and blotches of crimson covering fully two-thirds of the surface of the fruit. The flesh is white, juicy and firm. The tree is very vigorous, of upright habit and is a heavy and regular cropper. The fruit is in season The Six Commercially for Ten Months, viz., Maidens on view August to May inclusive.’ at the Show were a surprise to When visiting The National Fruit everyone, “What Collection (NFC) at Brogdale, Kent leaves!” “What recently, I found that they still have veins!” “What a the Bushey Grove apple tree in growth for 6 months!” cultivation and the description (They were grafted given by Mr Good in his flyer is still last April on Type 1 current as it corresponds with the and were over 4 feet information on the NFC website in Height and were page for the BG apple. Hopefully showing prominent this apple will continue to flourish in Fruit Buds). I told Bushey and that this article will them that the 40 encourage members of the Mr and Mrs Good with Mr King and granny Good Trees in the community to invest in a tree to Commercial Test at keep the vision of Mr Good and Mr received and for the trial orders given. the R. H. Society Gardens at Wisley King alive for future generations. The supply of trees is, as yet, very showed a much better growth. The BG apple tree is available to limited. This New Variety was a great The “B. G.” is not claimed as a purchase from the following attraction to all Horticulturists, Desert Apple, but many people - Nuseries: Keepers Nursery, especially to scientifically trained including experts – who tasted it at the www.keepers-nursery.co.uk and gentlemen (and ladies as well) from Show remarked “That’s very fine.” It Garden Appleid www.gardenappleid. our various Colleges and Government is the finest Culinary Apple yet raised. co.uk . Departments. I put this question to a The late Lord Peckover’s Head great number of callers – “Can you tell Gardener said to the raiser a few years In this the 150th anniversary year me of any variety of apple that can be ago, “If all you say about your apple, of Bushey Horticultural Society, the marketed for 10 months of the year?” Mr Good, is true, we want none other.” continued existence of this locally The answer was, invariably “No.” The The full page illustrations given in the raised apple ensures its survival as a “B. G.” is an apple that can be market- last two weeks of the “Fruit Grower” fitting tribute to all Bushey ed in July, August and September when shewed the parent tree in 1925 when gardeners who continue to follow prices are good, and again in March, it gave its record crop of 20 bushels of the horticultural traditions which April and May when most other varie- sound commercial fruit, it was then 28 still exist amongst our community ties are finished. years old. It first cropped in 1910 and today.

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new 2016 journal.indd 11 09/09/2016 10:04 A Goal to the Heath

have been physically ‘with it’ any- Mollie Thomas more, but their mental arithmetic was fantastic. Incidentally, when Dad ow have you two got some- died at a tragically early age in 1944 thing to do?” our mother we found among his things, which asked, pulling on her best were mostly military memorabilia, Nfelt hat and checking her an old football shirt with BUSHEY appearance in the mirror at the HEATHENS printed across the back. bottom of the stairs. Then it was kisses all round before Mum scurried off down the lane to “Yes,” we said in chorus, and catch the 142 bus to Watford. She my sister held up her rather sad always scurried, like a little brown piece of blue knitting, which was hen in a hurry. the beginning of a scarf, but might, with luck, become pot holder size Have you never been called, “Dirty by Christmas if she was lucky. I held old Oxford” or “Dirty old up my colouring book, and Mum Cambridge”? Then you haven’t seemed satisfied. We sat either side enjoyed the excitement of the Thought to be a Watford Girls’ Grammar School gala at Bushey open air pool 1934 or 1935. of the kitchen table. “Now be good University Boat Race. It was a girls,” she said. “You know your Dad springtime event which we looked likes to listen to the football.” “Yes forward to for weeks before it Mum,” we said. We knew the rou- happened. Most of us probably had tine. Dad was settled in his armchair as near the old wireless Mollie aged 9 at Merry Hill set as possible, looking forward to the afternoon’s entertainment, (less than 1p) and woe betide you especially as his favourite team, if you spilt any of the liquid on your Arsenal, was playing. (He would have clothes as you carried it back home been proud that a great-grandson from the shop. But for now it was continues the family support of The enough, and Dad got his precious Gunners). Once the match began, football. a disembodied voice in the back- ground would call out letters and “Will you see if you can get the numbers which gave a clue to where evening sports paper.” Dad remind- the ball was moving on the pitch. We ed Mum. “Of course I will” she said. knew we had to be very quiet, and She knew how much he enjoyed perhaps at half-time Dad would of- reading about the men lucky enough fer us each a sweet from the bag at to play the game at which he had his side. Nowadays he would be able shown such promise before to watch any game he wanted on suffering a leg wound serving in Italy television and read the endless re- during the Great War. He suffered ports in the press. But this was the much pain, particularly in very cold 1930s. The little old wireless worked weather; and it was difficult to off a battery and something called see how he managed all the miles an accumulator which contained cycling to and from work, and gar- acid, and which had to be recharged dening on his allotment on Windmill every few days at Smiths the Lane. In later years he would ruefully ironmongers. The Smiths had a big remark that the only sport he could Mollie Thomas (Norcutt) with Dad Labrador guard dog called Bruno now enjoy playing was darts, which Arthur Norcutt and sister Eunice, who barked at everyone. Recharging he played at The Foresters’ Arms outside 2 Orchard Close, The Rutts, Bushey Heath, before her christening the wireless cost about tuppence on The Heath. Those chaps may not in 1927. 12 THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF BUSHEY MUSEUM

new 2016 journal.indd 12 09/09/2016 10:04 Pictures Bushey Museum Archive

Thought to be a Watford Girls’ Grammar School gala at Bushey open air pool 1934 or 1935. no idea what Oxford or Cambridge favoured few scampered about their Ladies Close, then spend the rest were, but we wore our favours with court, usually grass, but sometimes of the lesson looking for it – much pride, light blue for Cambridge and a hard surface with carefully traced more fun. dark blue for Oxford. For a penny lines which seemed to mean, ‘in’ or or two you could buy perhaps just a ‘out.’ A large house in The Rutts had Swimming was associated with small flag or similar sign of your loy- its own lawn tennis court – they the seaside, probably Southend, alty, but the most prized were small had a fish pond too! We would peer noted for its mud. My greatest celluloid dolls dressed in feathers of through the hedge until the imperi- achievement, aged three, was to the colour you favoured and fas- ous wave of a bat, -. sorry, racquet! lose a brand new pair of orange tened to your clothes with a safety - told us to go away. The name of socks and get all my clothes so wet pin. We were even allowed to wear Wimbledon meant very little to us that Mum had to buy a sixpenny then in school! Perhaps they did not though we realised this, too, was (2.5p) bathing costume for me to last very long, certainly not as long something special, and you probably come home in. No such problems as your loyalty, but on the day of the had to be an American or Austral- at Bushey Swimming Pool! The Boat Race at high tide on the River ian to be any good at it. The King, memory of it makes me shiver as Thames, who would not crouch George VI, was said to be a good it had no heating in its early days. close to the wireless to listen to the player, though there was also a chap On a Monday morning, Miss Judd words, ‘In, out, in, out’ as the two called Fred Perry who caused quite would take some of us from the crews fought their watery battle. a stir! How strange that so many top class of Merry Hill School for And then, all too soon, it was over games which could only be heard our weekly swimming lesson. Maybe for another year. You might be lucky and not seen by the wider public in some learned to swim but I never enough to see it on the Newsreel those days should have caught our did, but I would not have missed at the cinema, - sorry, pictures! And imagination. those weekly lessons for anything, most newspapers would have a and the pool was a favourite place black and white photograph, but the Later, Bushey had its own tennis during the school’s summer holidays. excitement was over. courts and for a very modest sum During the Second World War it we could go and pretend we were was very popular especially with Tennis we saw as a game for Wimbledon stars. On moving to the service personnel who were keen the wealthy, and we associated it Grammar and Central School, we to show us paddlers how it was re- with white dresses or shorts and were initiated into the mysteries of ally done. During the war Watford’s socks, and special tennis shoes, and the game, but I will confess that one very superior baths were closed, so the sound of tennis balls being hit, of our favourite tricks was to hit the I was spared the misery of a weekly and cries of joy or despair as the ball over the wall into the road near compulsory school trip up through

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the town and a day with wet hair porch was of his dog. It seems that slide down the sloping playground and damp clothes. the Heath and Common at Merry Hill School. The teacher were notorious for highway on duty watched, whistle in hand Another sport, which service robberies, and Dick Turpin and and heart in mouth, as we raced and personnel demonstrated to us, his horse, Black Bess, were great- skidded down towards the adjoining was Hockey. Conditioned by a ly feared in the area. Was there a garden wall. As we trooped back diet of soppy schoolgirl stories, my touch of local pride and a feeling into school puffing and blowing and great aim was to play hockey for that no-one took liberties with the being exhorted to, “Wipe your feet,” the House if not for Watford Girls’ Heath? In later years, I was told that we promised each other what we Grammar School. This I achieved if you felt you had been overcharged would do at playtime, but by then and I loved the game despite the in a local shop, you should mutter: the slide had turned to mushy wet damage it did to my shins. No-one “Dick Turpin rides again!” snow. As we patted it disconsolately wore safety pads in those days. But with our soaked footwear it was no when I saw those beefy airmen and Boats: living so far from the sea wonder so many of us had chilblains. airwomen playing hockey on Stan- we had little experience of these Only softies wore Wellington boots. more Common, apparently breaking wayward temperamental things, A long lasting frost was another all the rules, I realised it truly was a beguiling though pictures of them matter. Once we knew Spring Ponds different ball-game. might appear, e.g. the building and adjacent to Stanmore Common launch of the firstQueen Mary. The were frozen over, we could not wait We were more accustomed to nearest we got to them was on a to go and see for ourselves. Few ventured onto the ice, fearing it seeing Cricket played on day trip on Kirby’s Coaches either Stanmore Common, especially to Southend or Shoeburyness, and would not bear our weight, but we when we went out for the Summer that didn’t allow much scope for watched the fully equipped ice Sunday evening walk, so common in nautical adventures. Quite frankly, skaters whirl and turn on the ice, those days. I thought it an incredibly boats scared me, and I hated our risking life and limb and a cold watery grave. Strangely enough we boring game, but there was always walks to Cassiobury Park where we never trusted the ice on Elstree the hope of getting a penny ice- watched sturdy narrow boats Reservoir. During the war, the water cream from the refreshment hut. carrying cargo negotiate those was covered with wooden planks to On one occasion, while sitting on terrifying locks. It gave me night- prevent enemy flying boats landing. the boundary benches I asked why mares. Not that the canal boat Snow was fun, but ice was a hazard a player was wearing a silly pink people were anything but friendly. to be treated with respect on the hat. A chorus of local disapproval On one memorable trip to the sea- local hills, Clay, Chalk and Stanmore. and ‘hushes’ showed me I had said side my mother persuaded me that We always felt particular pity for the wrong thing, and I had an early a voyage in a boat with room for the Benskin’s Brewery horses, which lesson in the significance of sports about 10 passengers was the perfect everyone loved, as we watched their kit and that it was best for me to complement to a lovely sunny day. grooms guide them up from keep my comments to myself. We “All aboard the Skylark!” shouted Watford. It was around this time liked it when some of the players the bearded skipper as he collect- that the Norwegian Olympic came round with an old bat with ed our money. Well we weren’t far champion figure skater, Sonja Henie, its inside hollowed out so that we from the shore when the boat’s came onto the scene in a series of could put a penny or more into the engine gave an asthmatic cough and very popular feature films and collection slot. Funnily enough, I stopped. “Oh dear, my worst fears,” newsreels. It was years before such found this ploy still in use in recent muttered my mother as I sat there exhibition and competition ice years attending a County Match. It expecting the worst. The skipper as- skating were widespread and it all was far more imaginative than the sured us we were in no danger but I seemed a world away from Bushey usual plastic bucket shaken under was terrified and have never trusted Heath. your nose. boats ever since. Once safe back on shore, a stick of pink peppermint Sooner or later, most of us have There is another ‘sport’ we could rock was hardly recompense for to leave home, and when I went connect with the Heath, - such an ordeal. away to college I took with me Highway Robbery! I can recall both there, and into my chosen being taken as a young child on a Skiing and ice skating, profession, those values which I had walk down Hartsbourne and asking were two other sports, which like learned in Bushey Heath from the about a most unusual cottage. I was tennis, we felt belonged to other people I knew and the other told it was once the home of Dick people. But on a really frosty snowy children I has played with. The values Turpin, the infamous highway rob- morning we could not wait to set of fair play, fun, and developing the ber, and that the statue above the up a long and potentially hazardous courage to ‘have a go.’

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The Locked Shed Pictures Bushey Museum Archive

closed down and all the fitters then However, about a year later, Robert Norman worked out of Watford. All that is the Aldenham Road lights were except Len, who was ‘Gas Street switched to electric. The now his photograph is of an Lighter Man’. There were a number very happy foreman locked up the ordinary windowless shed. of roads in and around Watford windowless shed and kept the key. An ordinary windowless that were still lit by gas; Heathfield He then told us that Len had lost shed however with a bit of Road, Woodlands Avenue, Belmont, his job and gone home. Len was history.T Silverdale and Aldenham Roads were never seen again and I believe that some that come to mind. Len used the windowless shed has never It was built next to the old gas the windowless shed to store the been opened again. A coincidence? showroom on the High Street* and materials he needed for his work. Probably but I’m sure you’ll agree, was used by gas fitters as both a This would include mantles, Hosman the mysterious shed is perhaps not depot and a workshop. There they 14 day clocks (the street lights were quite so ordinary. would repair cookers, gas fires and regulated by these) etc as well as his indeed most gas appliances you can bicycle which was specially modified If anyone gets permission to gain name and some I’ll bet you can’t. for carrying his ladder. entry to this shed I would like to be present. Who knows what might be I first set eyes on the shed in The story goes around that the in there. 1957 when I was employed by the foreman would become very angry * Now William Hill Eastern Gas Board as an apprentice with Len because based at the gas works on Lower he could never find High Street. I would cycle round him. He could tell Watford with a fitter from either my that sometimes own base, or one from Bushey, while the lights were not learning my trade. In fact all the being attended to fitters used push bikes in those days. as they would be All that is except the foreman who coming on in the had the use of a little Ford 8 canvas- middle of the day roofed van. which indicated that the clocks However, soon after I joined the were not being Gas Board, the Bushey depot was wound. Bushey High Street showing the entry way to the shed.

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Down Your Street Herkomer Road has been transformed from Back Lane into a Mini Bypass This article is reproduced from a report by David Cutler published in the dated 18th September 1970. The cutting was discovered by Ian Read amongst the Museum’s photo image collection and the accompanying images are from that collection.

ich man, poor man, beggar man.....doctors, artists, builders, labourers, road R sweepers.....we have had them all in Herkomer Road, and still have residents coming from a remarkably wide range of walks of Map showing proposed conversion of Ashfield Avenue life. Road junction, it will, in fact, be immediately opposite Bournehall It will be deduced from the turning back the pages of history. Lane. It was about 33ft. long and “we” that this well-known Bushey For in days long past Herkomer 19½ft. wide and protruded some ‘back street’ running more or less Road, then called Back Lane, way into the road. It was purchased parallel to the High Street provides continued in a more a less straight in 1898 by subscriptions collected me with my place of abode, and has course, joining what is now Catsey by the surveyor, a Mr. Lay Renton. done for the past 14 years. But my Lane to the High Road in Sparrows But as residents know only too well, memory of it goes back some 40 Herne.1 Herkomer Road today, though still years (i.e. to the 1930s) – to the somewhat winding, is far from a days when, as a youngster living in Back Lane was one of only three quiet back lane. , I frequently used it as a quiet, roads in the village, the other two pleasant, traffic-free route for a cycle being High Street and Grove Lane The advent of Watford’s one- ride to Bushey’s swimming bath (in (now Falconer Road, in which Grove way system saw the channeling of the Recreation Ground). Cottages still remain). more traffic into Water Lane, with the result that Herkomer Road has In those days it also led one And in Back Lane was situated become more of a mini bypass, and to Lululaund, in Melbourne Road, the old Manor Pound (for some people are apprehensive as to which was a magnificent replica impounding stray cattle!) a small whether the highway improvement of a medieval German castle and part of which can still be seen in and one-way scheme, which Bushey one-time home of Sir Hubert the form of a recess in the brick Council has in the pipeline for Herkomer, whose name Herkomer wall on the south side of the road Road perpetuates. Sir Hubert was, of course, the man who made the Black Cottage greatest contribution to Bushey’s was situated on the corner fame as a centre of art. of Herkomer Road and Bournehall But Herkomer Road was not Avenue. always so named and, if and when the local authority carries out its long-standing intention to bring Ashfield Avenue right through to Coldharbour Lane at a point near the Melbourne Road-Herkomer

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new 2016 journal.indd 16 09/09/2016 10:04 Pictures Bushey Museum Archive A view along Herkomer Road at the junction with Glencoe Road in 1906. A couple with two young girls take a stroll.

The exterior of Branch of the South-West Herts Bournemead viewed Conservative Association. from Herkomer Road around the time the house was being used The somewhat tree-hidden to accommodate St house in which I live, and which is Hilda’s School. apparently of no further significant local historical interest, is called Shaldon Cottage – or, rather was, Lady Marjorie was until someone stole the name off formerly Bushey District the front gate. Guide Commissioner and South Herts Division It is situated at the junction with Commissioner. Now, Nightingale Road, but I have found the roads linking Herkomer Road she presides over the South Herts that the simplest way to pin-point with the High Street will bring the Liaison Committee of the Duke it is to tell people: “We’re next greater degree of safety at which of Edinburgh Award scheme, and door to the Faithfulls.” Mrs. P. E. they are aiming. is advisor to Hertfordshire guides Faithfull has been associated with Plans include improvements on the Duke’s award scheme. The Bushey all her life and since 1937 to various junctions (making for daughter of an Earl of Courtown, has lived at The Nutshell – one of easier turning), straightening and she came to Bushey from Ireland in several Herkomer Road houses provision of a south-side footpath 1934 and moved into Bournemead designed by her architect father, between Koh-i-Noor Avenue and from Chiltern Avenue just after the the late James Sefton Harwood, Bournehall Road and straightening war. 2 who lived in Grange Road. Mr. and provision of a north-side Sefton Harwood was a great early footpath between Falconer Road Almost opposite, on the corner motoring enthusiast and was the and Glencoe Road. of Herne Road, is Crossways, a first honorary secretary of the house of charm and character built Herts Automobile and Aero Club. Probably one of the earliest of for the late Dr. R. C. B. “Clem” Mrs. Faithfull treasures childhood the larger houses to be built was Ramsay, a medical practitioner in memories of outings with her Bournemead, premises at one time the village for 36 years. Today it is mother and sister in her father’s used as St. Hilda’s School. Today it is the home of Mr. Peter Thackery, a Lagonda tricar – a vehicle in which the home of Lady Marjorie Stopford, well-known member of the local passengers sat in basket seats in a very well-known figure in local Conservative Party who, last year, front of the driver who rode in guiding circles. was chairman of St. James (Bushey) a saddle. Both Mrs. Faithfull and

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new 2016 journal.indd 17 09/09/2016 10:04 Picture Kathryn Picture Kathryn Wignall (née Bliss)

with the Save the Children Fund and Watford’s United Charities Bazaar. But when the last war broke out Mrs. Perkins was employed as an office cleaner at the RAF Fighter Command Headquarters, , and was one of those picked out to work in the highly secret underground operations rooms. “We had to take an oath on the Bible that we would never describe or discuss anything we saw or heard down there”, she recalls.

They say you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Well there The Bliss family. LtoR Martin, Margot, Kathy, Bill and Andrew is, living in Herkomer Road, one Nightingale Road, is a well-known called Reveley Lodge in Elstree man who can, and, in my opinion, soprano who has taken leads in Road. He died in 1877, and left in has confounded the theory. And few many Watford Operatic Society his will £1,500 for the erection who have seen the transformation productions. of 10 almshouses and £10,000 to that has gradually taken place at provide for ever their repair and No. 139 since Mr. Victor Snowball Mr. Ian Faithfull was for 20 years maintenance. Unfortunately, a legal moved in nearly three years ago captain of Colne Valley Cricket dispute arose probably due to the will disagree. When Mr. Snowball Club and has played for Bushey fact that Mr. Reveley died soon took it over, the property was an Cricket Club. In the 1930’s his late after making his will, and the £1,500 ordinary cottage dwelling with father captained the second XI. bequest was nullified. However, a dilapidated stable at the rear. One has only to nip next door in two citizens of Bushey, Mr. George At one time it had been used by the other direction from my house Lake of Bushey House, and Mr. John a local haulage contractor. Today to meet the “reigning” President of Middleton, the postmaster, collected the residence is approached Bushey Cricket Club, Mr. William the necessary money from through a smart carport (formerly Bliss and his family. “Bill” Bliss, as parishioners and purchased the the stable entrance) leading to a he is best known locally, has been site where the houses were built Regency-style porch. The inside about everything there is to be and in 1883 for a total of £1,760. The has been completely ripped out done about everything there is to almshouses are managed by a board and reconstructed in open plan do for Bushey Cricket Club. His of trustees and the occupants are to provide a modern studio-type two sons both play for the club the elected by secret ballot following property. All the work has been elder, Andrew, being the present the advertisement of a vacancy and carried out by Mr. Snowball and vice-captain. And, of course, Mrs. the receipt of applications. Under Margot Bliss and daughter, Kathryn, the bequest applicants must be are often in the local limelight in bone fide residents of the district, connection with youth and amateur over the age of 60, and of good theatrical work.3 character. There is accommodation for 10 persons, but one is occupied Immediately opposite this row by Mrs. F. C. Brainsgrove, who has of semi-detached properties are been warden for nearly two years. the Reveley Almshouses situated on Eldest resident and still remarkably the corner of Park Road. Here over active for her years, Mrs. Gertrude the years, through the bequest of Marjory Perkins is in her 90th year. the late George Johnson Reveley, a She has occupied No. 6 for the number of Bushey’s elderly widows past 13 years. For some years Mrs. and spinsters have spent the twilight Perkins was in service working as a years of their lives in the seclusion cook in Hempstead Road, Watford, of their own single-storey terraced for the late Mrs. Kate Freeman homes, but with a warden on call whose name will long be associated to help with fires and shopping and in case of emergency. George ‘Aunt Hen’ (Mrs E Hannell) bicycles Johnson Reveley lived at a house along Herkomer Road in about 1925.

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one helper. There is, he tells me, still much to be done before his plans for the property are complete, but Feedback this work must take second place to his professional commitments The last issue brought back older team from Watford. A year later I as a design consultant, and thereby, memories for Derek Fowers topped Bushey’s averages and in three I read with interest the article about years I was on the of course, hangs the secret of Mr. today’s Jewish Community in Bushey. I Worcestershire ground staff. What ex- Snowball’s remarkable “homework”. lived with my parents and two sisters citement for a frail, slender lad of sixteen! An international exhibition at 2 Bushey Grange Farm Cottages Thank heaven there was no hint of the designer, Mr. Snowball has also been (Hedges Farm), the other side of Little heartbreak ahead. responsible for many shops and the Bushey Lane from where the first I had been spotted playing for Bushey by interior of large public buildings. synagogue* and caretaker’s cottage Alec Herne, who was there to coach Geof- He is a Tynesider, but has spent were built. I wrote an article about the frey Cuthbertson, later to play for Middle- many years in Devon. farm which was published in the sex and Northamptonshire.* Winter 2004/5 Journal. I notice the new Frank Chester played for synagogue is now further along Little Worcestershire for three seasons Herkomer Road has, of course, Bushey Lane to where Burnt Farm before serving in the Great War and had its share of artists but the house and barn were. The barn had a losing his right arm in Salonika in July majority of houses with “built-in” trap door in the top so that 1917. Invalided out of the army, he studio facilities have long since produce from Burnt Farm could be found life difficult. disappeared. There is, however, an loaded into carts standing in Little The year 1919 was a difficult one with exception – the spacious studio- Bushey Lane. a small pension my only income. I tried There were a few cottage between the playing cricket with a hook at the end of home of sculptor, Mr. George barn and Sandy Lane. There was also an my false arm and remember seeing Gilbert Stephenson and his wife. Their orchard on the other side to the barn. Jessop, in match at Bushey, going to the premises at No. 101, formerly From Burnt Farm towards Aldenham wicket with his left arm in a sling and used by a pupil of Herkomer, were Road there were some gypsy caravans. slamming the first five balls one-handed to acquired by Mr. Stephenson in My sister was friendly with a girl from the boundary. 1950. A descendant of the famous one of them. During the winter I did some refereeing British engineer, Mr. Stephenson is I also saw the article about the buses. I and recall having to send off three an Associate of the Royal College used to walk from the cottages down players in a cup-tie at Hemel Little Bushey Lane past Farmer Hedges’ Hempstead. ** of Art, and was, until his retirement house, past the cowsheds to catch a He also gained experience as a cricket in 1963, craftsmaster at University 311 bus to go to school. I attended umpire in matches involving College School. Recent work Oxhey, Ashfield and London Road Hertfordshire Club and Ground and undertaken by Mr. Stephenson and (Bushey Manor) Schools. Hertfordshire Gentlemen before his wife in their artistic interests are *The building was a prayer hall not a following the advice of Sir Pelham the replacement ornamental oak synagogue. Warner, and becoming the youngest border carving for the Guildhall, **For further information about this umpire to stand in the County and a giant 10 new penny piece in farm see an article by John Storey in Championship. the Autumn 2003 issue of the Journal. Frank Chester did not return to metallised plaster which formed Worcester between 1914 and May the centrepiece of the Metal Andrew Thomas supplied 1948, when umpires were finally Box Company’s stand at a recent additional information about allowed to stand in matches involving exhibition at Olympia. Frank Chester their old playing county. Although well In the last issue of the Journal there was received he only umpired in the one 1. Never completed, but shown as such on an article about Sporting Bushey, which match at New Road where he met the local street maps and in London Transport included a piece about Frank Chester. young son of his landlady of 34 years timetable booklets from the 1950s on. Andrew Thomas, son of Mollie Thomas, before. who also contributes to the Journal, 2. Lady Marjorie (1904–1996) lived at contacted me as, by coincidence, he * Geoffrey Cuthbertson also featured Bournmead with her companion, Miss had recently written the history of briefly in Sporting Bushey Florrie Cobb until her death. Bournemead Worcestershire County Cricket Club. **Another coincidence – he refereed was sold for redevelopment after Cobby Andrew kindly sent me additional matches involving Ashfield School see died in 2003. The new ‘town houses and information and some extracts from p 20 flats’ were put on the market in late 2006 Frank Chester’s autobiography How’s (see Journal Winter 2005-6 p14). that’ written shortly before he died. And an apology 3. Margot Bliss 1919-2003; Bill Bliss In the knickerbocker era at the turn of the Unfortunately Katharine Whitaker’s 1923-2006. Bill was educated at Watford century I learned to bat and bowl among Christian name was misspelt on the Grammar School and became a the Hertfordshire hedgerows in the cricket front cover and in the article about sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy on Arctic conscious village of Bushey – my birth- Edgar Fulks and the Toc H in Bushey convoy duties during the Second World War. place, my haven in the last mention of his name was He met Margot whilst both were in service, retirement. At the age of 12 I scored 165 accidentally changed to Edward – she in the WRNS. in a junior match against a bigger and sorry!

THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF BUSHEY MUSEUM 19

new 2016 journal.indd 19 09/09/2016 10:04 Ashfield School Football Teams 60 years apart Picture Bushey Museum Archive

Back row: Frank Chester (referee), Mark Thatcher, Arthur Thatcher, Bob Gear, Len Shepherd, Ashfield Teddy Jacks, Harry Cobb, Charlie Cobb, ‘Pedlar’ Palmer Front row: 1919-20 Ken Hall, Percy Cobb, Fred Cobb, Ted Archer, Gilbert Wells Ashfield 1979 Back Row; Oliver Butler, Marco Martin, Anthony Goodall, Jason Read, Robert Murphy, Matthew Reed-Smith, Stephen Whitbread, Angus Sipthorpe Front Row: John Walker, Jason Goodall, Darren Ford, Nicky Blake, David Smith, Stephen Hipkin Picture Murphy Robert

20 THE JOURNAL OF THE FRIENDS OF BUSHEY MUSEUM

new 2016 journal.indd 20 09/09/2016 10:04