Dacorum Heritage

24/05/2026

Have been been into Berkhamsted Library recently? If so you might already have seen the display telling the story of Berkhamsted Pageant 1966.

From programmes and photos of the event to sponsorship and a thank you letter - will it spark memories and will you recognise anyone?

Berkhamsted Castle

22/05/2026

Puddingstone - that wonderfully, bubbly-looking local stone.

Did you know that farmers believed that the stones were alive, grew in their fields, and were able to give birth to smaller puddingstones?

This section of a puddingstone quern was found in Boxmoor, and is believed to date from c. 1500BC!

Why don't you pop into Berkhamsted Civic Centre to see it and find out more about this local legend.

22/05/2026

We're so incredibly grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their continued financial support to help us care for the Ovaltine collection and share its stories.

From supporting conservation work to digital storytelling and our 'Open Store' event in July https://dacorumheritage.org.uk/news/open-store-events-july-2026/

There's even a planned art exhibition in March 2027.

🏛️📚We're delighted to support partners like Dacorum Heritage Heritage - an accredited museum and archive in Hertfordshire that cares for over 131,000 items. From prehistoric hand axes and Roman paw prints preserved in roof tiles, to 20th century artwork, the Trust's work has ensured people can see these historic items through pop-up exhibitions and interactive handling sessions.

In 2022, the Ovaltine Collection, a treasure trove of over 10,000 items, also found a new home at Dacorum Heritage Trust, after being donated by Associated British Foods – the producer of some of the UK’s best-known food brands, which like the Garfield Weston Foundation, was established by W. Garfield Weston. The Trustees were delighted to help conserve this part of Hertfordshire’s heritage.💙

📸Dacorum Heritage

15/05/2026

We are opening our doors this July! Take a guided tour around the museum store, which covers 6,000 years of local history. We will also present a small but beautiful display of 1950s Ovaltine advertising artwork, rescued from the Kings Langley Factory.

9,10 &11 July at Dacorum Heritage, Clarence Road, Berkhamsted

Full details of our Open Store Events can be found at the link below, pre-booking required for the guided tours: https://dacorumheritage.org.uk/news/open-store-events-july-2026/

24/04/2026

Did you know that Marguerite Patten was a recipe designer at the Kings Langley Ovaltine factory? We've been trying out some of her recipe's for elevenses (thank you to our volunteer Anne for baking!) to see which ones to include in the upcoming reminiscence pack.

With the additional creamy topping using icing sugar, custard powder, butter and hot water, plus some Maltesers made the golden sponge extra scrummy.

I think you might tell from the small amount left that we've enjoyed the treats today and they have the team's seal of approval.

23/04/2026

Grab your beverage of choice, settle into a comfy chair and catch up with the latest newsletter from Dacorum Heritage.

https://mailchi.mp/dacorumheritage/news-from-dacorum-heritage-mk7dho6xcb-10150159

23/04/2026

We're currently having some technical difficulties with our online shop. We hope that this will be up and running by next week.

22/04/2026

This we head back to May 1993, when RECYCLE MAN helped us learn more about how to recycle within Dacorum.
There's still some great tips here from Dacorum Borough Council - though I wonder if the relating costume still exists ... and yes there was a real life Recycle Man!

18/04/2026

It’s World Heritage Day so we thought we’d celebrate …
a) the specialness of Dacorum’s history from Roman times to 20th century industry
b) the fab team of staff , volunteers and conservators who look after your history (big thank you!)
c) just some of the work we’ve been up to over the last year from our first Open Store events & pop-up museums to team training & conservation projects.