On Saturday (August 9, 2014), Watford Colosseum is throwing open its doors for a special open day, allowing anyone who wants to do so, to explore behind the scenes of this local landmark.

Among  the activities planned for the day will be a display of historic photographs of the venue, including the one at the top of this week’s column, taken at a Christmas party of the West Herts Federation of Women’s Clubs in the 1960s. Do you recognise yourself, or any family members in this picture?

The display will feature many more images, demonstrating the rich heritage of the building, but the Colosseum is appealing for more in order to grow this collection and host a second exhibition in the autumn.

They’d like to see your photographs, and share in your stories and experiences of the venue. If you can help, click here watfordnostalgia@london.newsquest.co.uk. We'll pass them on – and maybe even feature some of them here too.

You can, of course, also take your pictures along to the open day.
Watford Colosseum Summer Open day takes place on Saturday, August 9, from noon to 4pm. For more information, visit www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk.

 

Regular reader (and writer) Ernie Mackenzie, of Gammons Lane, has been back in touch regarding a piece printed last month about the general print strike of summer 1959.

He writes: “I have so many happy memories of that glorious hot summer – the solidarity and spirit of comradeship of my print colleagues were tremendous and will never be forgotten. The strike lasted the whole summer and settlement was only reached when the print unions and the British Federation of Master Printers (BFMP) agreed to arbitration performed by Lord Birkett regarding the 40-hour week and 10 per cent increase, with no strings, proposed by the unions.

“Lord Birkett put forward to the unions and the BFMP a 42-hour week and a 4 per cent increase, that both parties agreed to.

“It was a personal integrity to have had the pleasure of the company of so many lovely characters like Fred Gannaway, Tom Twells, Les Nunn, Gil Harris and Peter Buchanan (the best FoC – Father of the Chapel – I ever served under) from my days at Odhams (Watford) Ltd.”

 

‘Dear David, I wonder if any of your readers have interesting memories of working for Smiths Industries in Otterspool Way?”

So begins a letter I’ve received from Richard Bayliss, who is head of corporate communications at Smiths Detection Group Ltd, now based in Bushey.

He continues: “There was a motor accessories factory there, making speedometer parts and possibly also a castings factory. I wonder how many people were employed?

“Smiths (now called Smiths Group) is about to celebrate 100 years as a British limited company and local contributions to the archive are invaluable. A book detailing the company’s history will be published in the autumn. Smiths still has a presence in the area, with Smiths Detection in Park Avenue, Bushey, employing nearly 300 people.”

If you can help, send your memories to me and I’ll pass them on.

 

Brian Thomson, of Rickmansworth Historical Society, has sent me a copy of his excellent book Croxley Green in the First World War, which the society has recently published.

I hope to publish a fuller review next month (the centenary of the outbreak of the war, of course) but want to draw your attention to it now. More than 400 men from the village signed up and just about every family was affected by the hardship, heartbreak and endurance of wartime.

The book is a chronological look at the war years, beginning with a brief survey of the village as it was in 1914, then follows the course of events until the peace agreement of 1919.

Copies of Croxley Green in the First World War are £6 from the historical society, Croxley Hardware and Three Rivers Museum. For more information, send an email to rickhistsoc@virginmedia.com.