Elstree

A poster for Elstree Calling, a film made in 1930, named after the film studios in Borehamwood

For The Buggles song, see Elstree (song).

Elstree
Elstree  Elstree shown within Hertfordshire
Population	4,765 (2001)
OS grid reference	TQ175955
Civil parish	Elstree and Borehamwood
District	Hertsmere
Shire county	Hertfordshire
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BOREHAMWOOD
Postcode district	WD6
Dialling code	020
Police	Hertfordshire
Fire	Hertfordshire
Ambulance	East of England
EU Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Hertsmere
List of places: UK • England • Hertfordshire

Elstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5 road, about 13 miles north of London. In 2001, its population was 4,765, and forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree.

The village often lends its shorter name to businesses and amenities in the adjacent town of Borehamwood, and the names of Elstree and Borehamwood can be used interchangeably. Elstree is perhaps most well-known for giving its name to the Elstree Film Studios where a number of famous British films were made, and BBC's Elstree Studios, where the TV soap opera EastEnders is made, but these, too, are located in nearby Borehamwood.

The local newspaper is the Borehamwood and Elstree Times. Together with Borehamwood, the village is twinned with Offenburg in Germany and Fontenay-aux-Roses in France.

Transport

Elstree & Borehamwood railway station

27 March 1954 Northbound steam train passing through Elstree & Borehamwood railway station.

Elstree & Borehamwood railway station is on the Thameslink Line between London Kings Cross and Bedford. It was originally built by the Midland Railway in 1868, and is located just north of the 980m Elstree Tunnels.

The area of Borehamwood to the west of the railway line, formally Deacon's Hill, is colloquially called Elstree even though it is not contiguous with the village. Elstree South tube station was due to be an extension of the Northern Line, planned in the 1930s, but never completed.

Road links

The old A5 road (Watling Street) goes through Elstree village, where it is designated as the A5183 road. Through the village, the road is called (from south to north) Elstree Hill South, The High Street, and Elstree Hill North. The 18th century grade II listed building, Elstree Hill House is still on Elstree Hill South, and used to be the home of the old Elstree School (see Schools). In the early 1900s, it was noted that:

".. the hill roads are remarkably direct and seldom curve to avoid the steep pitch, and it has been suggested that the roads were originally slides for the timber which used to be sent to London for fuel."

Elstree Aerodrome

Elstree Aerodrome has a paved 656 metre runway, suitable for light aircraft use. Its origins extend back to the early 1930s when it was a grass landing strip for the local Aldenham House country club. A concrete runway was put down during World War II, and Wellington Bombers were modified here. On Saturday 31 November 1975, racing driver Graham Hill was killed when his light aircraft crashed on Arkley Golf Course, 3 miles short of the airport. The aerodrome used to be a base for Capital Radio's Flying Eye helicopter traffic reports.

Today, the aerodrome is home to The London School of Flying, and as a destination for celebrities visiting Elstree film studios.

London Transport works

London Transport's Aldenham Works was sited on the edge of Elstree close to the A41, it was opened in 1956, closed in 1986, and demolished in 1996. It is now a large business park.

Elstree Grange

Originally a 19th century steam ship owned by the Houlder Brothers, the town also lends its name to a series of ships called the Elstree Grange (rebuilt 1916, 1944, 1979), at one time sunk during the Second World War.

Buildings

Grade II Listed Buildings

Holly Bush Public House (15th century)

House at Elstree designed by E.J. May, and Exhibited at Royal Academy in 1887.

Elstree is home to a number of Grade II listed buildings, including some at Grade II* (particularly important buildings), such as:

• Holly Bush Public House (15th century)
• Aldenham House and Stable Block (c.1672)
• The Leys, built in 1901 by Scottish architect and designer, George Henry Walton.

Edgwarebury Hotel

The Edgwarebury Hotel & Restaurant is located on Barnet Lane, and operated by Corus Hotels. The tudor-style building dates back to 1540, was converted into a hotel in the 1960s, and has featured in many TV and film productions, such as the 1968 Hammer Horror classic, The Devil Rides Out. Notable guests have included Peter Sellers, Tom Cruise, John Cleese and Stanley Kubrick. It was the country home of armaments manufacturer and First Baronet Sir (Arthur) Trevor Dawson, (1866–1931).

Other buildings

A house in Elstree was designed by architect Edward John May (1853-1941) was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887. St Nicholas Parish Church was designed by English architect Philip Charles Hardwick.

Schools

Elstree is home to Aldenham School, a preparatory co-educational boarding day school, Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, an independent public school (ie. fee-paying), Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, and St Nicholas Church of England V.A Primary School.

Earlier schools

Elstree School, a boys' preparatory school was located in Elstree from 1848 until 1938 before relocating to Woolhampton, Berkshire before the outbreak of Second World War.

Hillside School was located in Elstree between 1874 and 1886, before eventually becoming Dorset House School in 1905, (not to be confused with Hillside School in nearby Borehamwood.)

Recreation

Sport

Elstree Cricket Club was formed in 1878, and still plays in the Herts Saracens League. 18-hole Radlett Park Golf Club was founded in 1984, having recently being renamed from Elstree Golf & Country Club. It is closer to Elstree than Radlett.

Leisure

Section 15 of the London Outer Orbital Path (London Loop) goes through Elstree, before continuing as Section 16, a 10 mile (16km) walk from Elstree to Cockfosters.

Parks

Tykes Water bridge

Aldenham Country Park is both a recreational facility and a breeding centre for rare livestock. Section 15 of the London Loop walk passes by. In 1873 nearby Tykes Water stream was dammed in order to create Tykes Water lake. Tykes Water Bridge features in the open credits to the Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee film, Dracula A.D. 1972, and used in the opening title of the Avengers TV series.

Elstree Reservoir

The damn was built in 1795 by French prisoners of war. English watercolour landscape painter John Hassell writes:

"At the top of Stanmore hill we enter on Bushy heath, and at some distance on the right in the valley catch a view of the celebrated reservoir, the property of the Grand Junction Company, on Aidenham common, at the foot of the village of Elstree. This noble sheet of water occupies a space of considerable extent on the verge of Aidenham common, which thirty years ago was a barren waste; here the improvements in agriculture are indeed conspicuous, for at this place a poor, sandy, meagre, wretched soil has now by good husbandry been converted into rich pasturage.

"The reservoir has all the appearance of a lake; and when the timber that surrounds it shall have arrived at maturity, it will be a most delightful spot. From this immense sbeet of water, in event of drought or a deficiency of upland waters, the lower parts of the Grand Junction and the Paddington canals can have an immediate supply. The feeder from this reservoir enters the main stream near Rickmansworth, above Batchworth mills, and supplies the millers below with 300 locks of water, to whose interest the Duke of Northumberland is a perpetual trustee."

In 1886, the Photographic Society of Great Britain featured an exhibition of photos of Elstree Reservoir by Edgar Clifton. During World War I, then Major Keith Caldwell with No. 74 Squadron RAF, used Elstree Reservoir for target practice. In 1918, one of the pilots accidentally killed a local resident when his machine gun misfired.

Climate

Climate data for Elstree
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	6 (43)	7 (45)	9 (48)	12 (54)	16 (61)	18 (64)	22 (72)	22 (72)	18 (64)	14 (57)	9 (48)	7 (45)	13.3 (56.0)
Average low °C (°F)	1 (34)	1 (34)	2 (36)	4 (39)	6 (43)	9 (48)	11 (52)	11 (52)	10 (50)	7 (45)	3 (37)	2 (36)	5.6 (42.0)
Precipitation mm (inches)	69.6 (2.74)	47.2 (1.858)	54.1 (2.13)	53.1 (2.091)	49.8 (1.961)	60.5 (2.382)	41.1 (1.618)	53.6 (2.11)	61.0 (2.402)	74.4 (2.929)	66.0 (2.598)	67.6 (2.661)	698 (27.48)
Source: Monthly averages for Borehamwood, United Kingdom The Weather Channel'.' Retrieved 15 October 2011</ref>

History

Elstree War Memorial, Elstree Hill North

Etymology

The name "Elstree" derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase "Tidwulf's Tree", which is mentioned as "Tidulfres treow" in an 11-12th century manuscript of of an A.D. 786 charter. It is thought that "the "T" being lost in the wrong division of 'aet Tidwulfes treo'" (meaning "at Tidwulf's Tree").

In 1723, topographer John Norden noted in his book Speculum Britanniae, that in the country of Hartfordshire (sic) was one "Elstre or Eglestre". In an earlier edition, he writes:

"ELSTREE n. 20. in OFFAES grant EAGLESTRE

Nemus aquilinum: a place wherit may be thought Eagles bredd in time past, for though it be nowe hilly and heathy - it hath beene replenished with stately trees, fit for such fowle to breede and harbour in. It is parcell of the libertie of S. Albans.

Nemus aquilinum is the Latin for "grove of eagles".

Robinson Crusoe author, Daniel Defoe wrote in his 1748 travel guide that:

"Idlestrey or Elstre, is a Village on the Roman Watling-street, on the very Edge of Middlesex; but it is chiefly noted for its Situation, near Brockly-hill, by Stanmore, which affords a lovely View cross Middlesex, over the Thames, into Surry."

In 1811, topographer Daniel Lysons writes:

"The name of this place has been variously written; — Eaglestree, Elstree, Ilstrye, Idlestrye, etc. Norden says that it is called, in Offa's grant to the Abbey of St. Alban's, Eaglestree, that is, says he, "Nemus aquilinum, a 'place where it may be thought that eagles bred in time past'." It has been derived also from Idel-street, i.e. the noble road; and Ill-street, the decayed road. May it not have been, rather, a corruption of Eald-street, the old road, i.e. the ancient Watling-street, upon which it is situated?"

5th century: Battle of Ailestreu (Elstree)

In the 5th century, Briton warlord Vortigern and his two sons, Vortimer and Catigern, took part in the Battle of Elstree, then called the Battle of Ailestreu, where the Saxon Horsa was killed. It's possible there is confusion with the Battle of Aylesbury. George Moberly writes:

"Nennius, M.H.B. p. 69, calls the place of battle where Hors fell Episford; Britannicè 'Sathenegabail' = the Saxon battle. The Saxon Chronicle, ad a. 455, calls it Ægæles-threp, and Henry of Huntingdon, M.H.B. p. 708, Ailestreu. This would naturally be Elstree, of which name there is a place in Herts; but Beda's description of its situation has caused it rather to be referred to Aylesford in Kent, near which is a small village called Horsted."

16th - 18th Century

The Manor of Elstree was formerly included in the manor of Parkbury, and belonged to the Abbey of St. Albans. On the dissolution of the monastery, it was granted by Henry VIII, to Anthony Denny, Esq (1501 – 1549).

In 1607, Anthony Denny's grandson Edward Denny, sold part of the estate, with all manorial rights, to Robert Briscoe, Esq., who solid it the same year to Sir Baptist Hicks. Part of the estate became the Manor of Boreham, and sold to Edward Beauchamp, where it remained in the Beauchamp-Protor family until 1748, when it was sold to James West, Esq. M.P. for St. Alban's, who, in or about 1751, aliened it to Gulston, Esq. of Widdial, who sold it to a gunsmith called Pigfatt, who, within a few years, conveyed it to Thomas Jemmet, Esq. In 1774 it was purchased of Mr. Jemmet by the late George Byng, Esq. M.P. for Middlesex, who passed it into his son, by which time this estate was called the Manor of Boreham.

In 1776, the House of Lords granted:

"An Act for dividing and closing the Common or Waste Ground, called Boreham Wood Common, in the Parish of Elstree otherwise Idletree, in the Country of Hertford."

In 1796 topographer Daniel Lysons writes:

"The parish of Elstree contains about 3000 acres of land, which is divided between arable and pasture nearly in an equal proportion. The soil is, for the most part, clay. Boreham Wood, a waste of nearly 700 acres, was inclosed about the year 1778, and is now in culture. This parish pays the sum of 151L 11s. to the land-tax, which is raised by a rate of about 1s. 9d. in the pound".

Murders

The Burial of William Weare at the parish church in Elstree.

Martha Ray murder

The Elstree Murder of Eliza Ebborn on 17 August 1882 by George Stratton, as illustrated in The Illustrated Police News Sat Nov 11, 1882

In 1779, Martha Ray (c. 1742–1779), singer and mistress of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was buried in the parish church (illustrated, right) after she had been shot dead by the Rev. James Hackman, Rector of Wiveton in Norfolk.

Since the 1780s, a private school has been located in Elstree. This has included Elstree School from 1848 to 1938, and Hillside school between 1874 and 1886 (before moving and becoming Dorset House School).

The Elstree Murder of William Weare

In 1823 Elstree became notorious for the Elstree murder of William Weare, killed in Radlett and the body disposed of in a pond in Elstree by John Thurtell. The incident was recalled by Charles Dickens in his Weekly Journal. An inquest of the deceased was held on 31 October by county coroner Benjamin Rooke at the local Artichoke public house.

The Elstree Murder of Eliza Ebborn

On 17 August 1882, Eliza Ebborn of Watford was murdered by 24-year-old shoemaker George Stratton, who was subsequently sentenced to death. She was buried at Elstree Parish Church.

Administrative districts

Elstree Rural District armorial bearings (1957-1974)

Elstree used to be in the Hundred of Cashio, also known as the Liberty of St Albans.

Elstree Rural District

From 1941 to 1974, Elstree Rural District was the local government area, before being abolished and merged with Hertsmere. On 20th March 1957, Armorial Bearings were granted. The arms and crest are described as follows:

The background of royal ermine, represents the royal visits to and associations with the district, principally the visit of Henry VIII and his court to Tyttenhanger in 1525 to avoid the "sweatinge sicknesse" and the visits of Charles II to Salisbury Hall in Shenley. The oak tree with the Saxon crown represents Saxon Elstree - "Tidwulf's tree" - around which the district has grown. The tree also represents Boreham Wood and the district's woodlands, the gold acorns symbolize growth and prosperity. The waves at the base represent the River Colne, Aldenham Reservoir and link with the waves in the arms of the Hertfordshire CC and the Greater London Council.The gold saltire on blue is from the arms of the Abbey of St. Albans, the manor of Elstree came into the possession of the Abbey in 1188, and Tyttenhanger in Ridge stands on the site of a former possession of the Abbey, and the whole area lies in the Liberty of St. Albans. The scallop shells, the badge of pilgrims, recalls their passage along Watling Street through Elstree to St. Albans.

The hart is from one of the supporters of the County Council arms, wearing a mural crown, symbol of civic government. The spool of film (unique in civic heraldry) recalls the industry which had made the name of Elstree and Boreham Wood so widely known in modern times.

The motto is taken from the wall of Shenley Cage, and also links with the County motto "Trust and fear not". "

Clubs, Societies and Organisations

• Elstree And Boreham Wood History Society, (inc. Elstree and Borehamwood Museum)
• Elstree, Borehamwood & Radlett mencap Society.
• Elstree Golf & Country Club.

References in the media

• Elstree is replicated as a part of one of three maps is based in the game Urban Dead. The "Borehamwood" map was released as part of the promotional campaign for the release of British writer Charlie Brooker's Dead Set.
• "Elstree" is also the title of a song about the film studio by The Buggles on their 1979 album The Age of Plastic.
• St. Nicholas Church, Elstree featured in an investigation of paranormal investigation

Notable residents

Napoleon's Death Mask, made in 1821 by Elstree resident, Francis Burton M.D., the uncle of explorer Richard Francis Burton

See also notable pupils at:

(a) Aldenham School (b) Elstree School before it moved in 1938, (b) Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, (c) Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls

• John Baxter (1896–1975), film director and producer, lived at Aldahvu, Elstree
• Ephraim Beauchamp (d.1728) Baronet and lord of the Manor of Boreham in the parish of Elstree.
• John Boyle (1563–1620), Church of Ireland bishop of Cork, Rector of Elstree (before 1610).
• Ralph Terence St John-Brooks (1884–1963), bacteriologist, was stationed at the Lister Institute's National Collection of Type Cultures.
• Francis Burton M.D. (d.1828), uncle of Richard Francis Burton, military surgeon who made Napoleon's Death Mask, lived at Barham House, and is buried in Elstree parish church.
• Richard Francis Burton (1821 – 1890), explorer who lived at Barham House in Elstree.
• George Byng, Esq. M.P. for Middlesex, resident of Elstree Manor.
• Rev. Philip Caraman (1911-1998), Jesuit, lived at The Grange on the corner of Allum Lane and Deacons Hill Road.
• Hussein Chalayan, fashion designer was raised in The Rise
• Tom Chatto (1920–1982) - actor, raised in Elstree
• Dame Harriette Chick (1875–1977), nutritionist, tested and bottled tetanus antitoxin for the army in 1915.
• Joan Collins, actress and author, lived in Barnet Lane, while married to Anthony Newley, Singer, actor and film composer
• Samuel Tertius Cowan (1905–1976), bacteriologist, curator of the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) at the Lister Institute.
• Simon Cowell, the American Idol and X Factor judge, was raised in Elstree.
• Sir (Arthur) Trevor Dawson, first baronet (1866–1931), armaments manufacturer, lived at Edgewarebury House.
• Colonel John Drinkwater, the historian of the Siege of Gibraltar, had his family seat at Palmer's Lodge, (now called Radnor Hall)
• Anthony Denny, Esq (1501 – 1549), resident of the Manor or Elstree.
• Sir Edward Denny (1796 – 1889) composer, resident of Manor of Elstree.
• James Elphinston (1721 – 1809) Scottish educator, moved to Elstree in 1792.
• Percy Everett (1870 - 1952), became the first Scoutmaster of the 1st Elstree Scout group on 13 Mar 1908, was Deputy Chief Scout for Great Britain, lived at Schopwick Place in Elstree.
• Andrew Feldman (b.1966) Conservative politician appointed to the Lords is known as Baron Feldman of Elstree.
• Cecil Ford (1913 – 1994) cricketer, was born in Elstree.
• Vicary Gibbs (1853–1932), genealogist and gardener, lived at Aldenham House.
• Lew Grade (1906 – 1998) TV producer given a life peerage, was known as Baron Grade, of Elstree.
• Thomas Greenwood (1851–1908), public libraries promoter, died at Frith Knowl, Elstree.
• James Hackman (1752-1779), murderer of Martha Ray, was buried in Elstree Parish Church.
• Sir Harry Hague (1881-1960), managing director of A. Wander Ltd, the company who made Ovaltine, lived at The Chantry, Barnet Lane, Elstree.
• David Willis Wilson Henderson (1903–1968), immunologist, worked at the Lister Institute.
• Thomas Knox, 2nd Earl of Ranfurly M.P. (1786-1858) Member of Parliament (1820-1832) resided at Barham House, Elstree.
• Sir John Charles Grant Ledingham (1875–1944), bacteriologist, worked at the Lister Institute.
• Paul Lester, music journalist.
• Ian Livingston, Chief Executive Officer of BT Group
• William Macready (1793 – 1873), actor, live at Elm Place, Elstree.
• John Henry Marks (b.1925) General Practitioner and Chairman of the British Medical Association, live on Barnet Lane.
• Air Vice-Marshall Sir David Munro, K.C.B., C.I.E., LL.D., M.B., F.R.C.S.Ed. (1878 - 1952)
• Archer John Porter Martin (1910–2002), Nobel Prize winning biochemist, worked at the Lister Institute, and lived at Abbotsbury on Barnet Lane.
• Walter Thomas James Morgan (1900–2003), biochemist. worked at the Lister Institute.
• Anna Neagle and her film director husband Herbert Wilcox lived at the junction of Deacons Hill Road and Barnet Lane, during her years as a film star.
• Frank Podmore (1856- 1910) author and founding member of the Fabian Society ws born in Elstree.
• Martha Ray (c.1742–1779), singer murdered by James Hackman buried in Elstree Parish Church.
• Horatio Sharpe (1718–1790), army officer and Proprietary Governor of Maryland, buried at Elstree Parish Church.
• Winston Smith, spaniel dog breeder.
• Henry Hurd Swinnerton (1875–1966), zoologist and geologist, lived and died at the headmaster's house, Haberdashers' Aske's School.
• James Booker Blakemore Wellington (1858-1939) photographer, died in Elstree in 1939.
• James West, Esq. M.P. for St. Alban's, resident of Elstree Manor.
• Jeremiah White (1629–1707), nonconformist minister, preached at Elstree in 1669.

Bibliography

Books

• Richard Riding and Grant Peerless, Elstree Aerodrome: The Past in Pictures, The History Press Ltd (26 Nov 2003), ISBN 0750934123, ISBN 978-0750934121, 192 pages.
• Robert Bard, Elstree and Borehamwood Past, Publisher: Phillimore & Company, Limited, 2006, ISBN 1905286112, 9781905286119, 128 pages
• Stephen A. Castle, William Brooks, The Book of Elstree & Boreham Wood, Publisher: Barracuda Press, 1988, ISBN 0860234061, 9780860234067, 136 pages
• G. R. T. Eales, A Lecture on the history of Elstree, Publisher: Scott, Greenwood & Son, 1922
• Anthony Frewin, John Mansbridge, Elstree & Boreham Wood through two thousand years, Publisher: Ann and Lionel Leventhal, 1974, ISBN 0950382205, 9780950382203, 47 pages.
• Paul Welsh, Elstree and Borehamwood in Old Picture Postcards, ISBN 9028830138, 9789028830134, 80 pages.
• J. Roy Avery, The Elstree murder, Publisher: Haberdasher's Aske's School, 1963, 19 pages.
• Thomas Burke, Murder at Elstree: or, Mr. Thurtell and his gig, Publisher: Longmans, Green and co., 1936, 177 pages
• Elstree Rural District: official guide, Forward Publicity Limited, Edition 9, illustrated, Publisher: Home Pub., 1972. ISBN 0717402339, 9780717402335. 72 pages.
• William Hawtayne, A sermon preach'd at Elstree in Hertfordshire, on the twentieth of January, 1714. Mr. Hawtayne's thanksgiving-sermon on the 20th of January, 1714. Printed for Tim Goodwin. 20 pages.
• Franklyn de Winton Lushington, Sermons to young boys delivered at Elstree school, Publ. 1898. Republished Kessinger Publishing LLC 2010. ISBN 1166952088, 9781166952082.
• The first register book of the parish church of Elstree, 1655-1757, Translated by Arthur R. T. Eales, publisher: pr.by Coombes, 1914, 76 pages.
• I. C. M. Sanderson, A history of Elstree School and three generations of the Sanderson family, Publisher Elstree School, 1978.
• John Hill, Hertfordshire Militia Lists: Elstree & Shenley, Issue ML 102 of Militia Series, Publ. Hertfordshire Family & Population History Society, 2000, ISBN 1903245060, 9781903245064, 13 pages
• An Illustrated Guide to the Elstree Country Club, Elstree, Herts, publ. Elstree Country Club, 1950, 12 pages. (at the British Library), retrieved 22 Sep 2011.

Journals

• "Medieval Pottery From Elstree, Otterspool & Prehsi", Academic Journal Offprint From St. Albans Architectural And Archaeological Society Transactions (1961)
• Renn, Derek F, "Further finds of medieval pottery from Elstree: with a survey of unglazed thumb-pressed jugs", Hertfordshire Archaeology 1968, pp.124-7
• Stephen Castle and Michael Hammerons, "Excavations Elstree, Middlesex, 1974-6". At Archaeology Data Service Website, retrieved 22 Sep 2011

External links

• 'Parishes: Elstree', A History of the County of Hertford: volume 2 (1908), pp. 349–51.
• 'Elstree', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 24–8.
• Archaeology Data Service: Archsearch
• Elstree Village at BBC Domesday Project online, retrieved 22 Sep 2011
• Elstree Church records at the London Family History Centre.
• "Elstree with Boreham Wood" 1855 Post Office Directory, via Historical Directories
• "Elstree with Boreham Wood, 1894 Kelly's Directory of Essex, Herts & Middx
• My Borehamwood and Elstree News, online and print magazine founded in 2011
• Tried and Trusted website

See also

• All pages beginning with "Elstree"
• All pages with titles containing "Elstree"