The Dell – A dramatic place in the woods Sherrardspark Wood

February 2018

Welwyn Garden City Centenary Foundation 1 An Introduction

• This presentation has been created to: – Provide a description and tell the story of the Dell. – Describe use by early residents. – Current status. – Management of Sherrardspark Wood. – Centenary Foundation proposals. – Importance to Welwyn Garden City. – Restoration benefits.

2 The Dell – the history

• The Dell is a natural hollow which pre 1858 was in a field to the south of the boundary of Sherrardspark Woods, part of Upper Handside farm. – Originally it was never part of the wood. – The original woods boundary is still visible to the north of the Dell and follows the old Parish boundary. • In 1858, the railway to and Dunstable was built which cut through the field leaving the Dell ‘isolated’ though accessible via a farm track over the railway (now the bridleway between Bridge Road and Roundwood Drive). • In 1901, Lord Cowper (the owner of the wood and farm land) planted Larch trees in the ‘isolated’ field, to be known as Reddings Plantation, thus effectively expanding Sherrardspark Woods to the railway line. • By 1925 when construction of WGC was underway, the Dell was a young wood with grassy floor. – Which is when, among others, Sir Theodore Chambers (Chairman of the WGC Company) suggested using the Dell as a place for drama and music. – The first production, Shakespeare’s - A Midsummer Night’s Dream, took place in 1925.

3 In this 1880 map, the Dell is in this isolated field.

In 1901 Lord Cowper planted Larch trees in the field such that it became a part of Sherrardspark Wood 4 In this 1936 map of Sherrardspark Woods, N the Dell is clearly marked within Reddings Plantation to the south of the parish boundary (dotted).

Digswell Parish Boundary The Dell

5 Use of the Dell • The Dell was used by the early residents of the town for plays and other events. – Many had a vision of the space and acoustics for use for plays, Shakespeare in particular was a popular choice. • Achieved wide acclaim for the quality and ambience of the venue as well as the events put on. • Many visitors came on special trains run from London. – Was used to promote living in the town. • Use limited to summer months. • Since the war, there has been little use of the Dell. 6 Plays • Plays took place from 1925 to 1938. – There was also a production in 1951 • Supported by local organisations such as: – Welwyn Garden City Company Ltd – Electricity Supply Company provided power and lights – Welwyn Stores – The Boy Scouts – The Police • Audience and cast accessed the Dell on foot from Bridge Road, across the railway and into the wood • Cast probably arrived in costume – There were marquees for the later productions • Refreshments were provided 7 Other Events

• The Dell was used for many other events: – Orchestral concerts – Singing concerts – Church gatherings – Resident tea parties – Brownie events – ‘Save the Woods’ campaign

8 Known YEAR DATE COMPANY PRODUCTION 1925 6 & 13 Jun Local Residents A Midsummer Nights Dream

Events in the 1926 12 & 19 Jun Local Residents The Tempest Dell 1928 13 Jun Gossips Singing 1928 22 Jun Chelsea Singers Singing

1928 28 Jul, 8 Aug Welwyn Folk Players As You Like It & 8 Sep 1929 19 Jun Local Residents & Town Tea Picnic & Concert Mansfield House Singers 1930 21 Jun Local Residents WGC 10th Anniversary Pageant

1930 29 Jun Local Churchs Civic Church Service

1933 3 Jun Brownies Brownie Revels

1933 22 Jul Christian Union Rally in the Dell

1936 11 Jun Save the Woods Music and Singing Campaign 1936 1 & 3 Aug Welwyn Drama Club Twelfth Night

1937 21-26 Jun Welwyn Drama Club Twelfth Night

1938 18-23 Jul Welwyn Drama Club A Midsummer Nights Dream

1951 16-22 Jun Peartree Boys Club A Midsummer Nights Dream

1953 5 Jun Boy Scouts and Girl Coronation Camp Fire 9 Guides

1925 - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - First Production

Mrs E J August – director of the first production in the Dell

10 Two Other Productions

• Examples of two other productions were: – Twelfth Night in – 1937 – Midsummer Nights Dream – 1938 • Performances were 7 evening and a matinee in a week in June/July • Both performed by The Welwyn Drama Club • Live music was included in the productions

11 Programmes for 1937 and 1938 12 Poster for 1938 Production

13 The Dell Today

• To day, the Dell has been lost and is not easily accessible by the general public. • The Dell is littered with fallen trees, woodland detritus and new grown saplings. • Some minor litter • No evidence of the previous use as a theatre – Though there are still signs of where steps where cut into the banking for sitting.

14 Then: Performance on the stage area

Now

15 Then: View from the audience to the stage and entrance into the hollow

Now 16 Then: Performing on the Stage with the audience on the banking.

Now

17 Then: The audience seated on the banking of the natural hollow

Now

18 Then: View looking into the Dell towards the hollow

Now

19 Current Status • Today the Sherrardspark Wood is owned by the Borough Council and is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). • In 2005, a Sherrardspark Wood Management plan was created by the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in conjunction with Natural England and Forestry Commission – Covers the period 2005 to 2025 • In 2012, an evaluation of the management needs was carried out by the Sherrardspark Wood - Woodwardens – This prescribed a 5 year period of work which included clearing of the Dell (‘Shakespeare’ Dell)

20 Centenary Foundation

• Welwyn Garden City celebrates 100 years in 2020

• The Centenary Foundation has been formed to promote and deliver a range of public events and permanent memorials to celebrate 100 years.

• Re-establishing the Dell is one of the proposals planned. – Given the importance that the Dell has played in the history of the town and the dominance of the arts within the history of the community.

21 Re-Establishing the DELL

• The Foundation proposes the following: – Clear the Dell of all woodland detritus, fallen trees, remove saplings, the area to be generally tidied up • Already included in the existing Wood Management Plan. – Healthy mature trees to be retained. • Opportunity to retain fallen and removed tree trunks as seating. – Paths to be opened up for easy access by the public. – Signs to be erected indicating where the Dell is. – Erection of an information board similar to the existing Sherrardspark Wood and disused railway line boards. – Minimal interference and disruption to the existing wood environment.

• The space then being available to the general public which could be used again as a place of peace, reflection and potential for artistic or community events.

22 The Dell

A fitting recognition of the historic importance of drama and the arts to the residents of Welwyn Garden City and an established place for public reflection, relaxation and artistic events

23