Berkhamsted, Ashlyns School c.1960
Photo ref: B407039
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Photo ref: B407039
Photo of Berkhamsted, Ashlyns School c.1960

More about this scene

Ashlyns School was built in 1933-35 and accepted its first pupils in September 1935. It originally offered places for 400 pupils aged between 5 and 15 years. The site had been used as an overflow for Thomas Coram's Bloomsbury Foundling Hospital, but had passed to the estate of nearby Ashlyns Hall prior to its purchase in 1929. The new school was inaugurated by Prince Arthur of Connaught in July 1935; it became a Secondary Modern School in January 1951. Amongst its treasures were the original coat of arms from Coram's Hospital, which still forms part of the pediment, and an organ donated by G F Handel to the Foundling Hospital. Unfortunately, the organ was removed when the County Council completed the purchase of the school in 1955.

A Selection of Memories from Berkhamsted

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Berkhamsted

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I was born at the Grange Nursing Home in Berkhamstead on May 16, 1950. Dr Waterman delivered me. Do you know where it was located ? Any pictures or insights to the Grange Nursing Home ? I live in Seattle Washington USA now and would love to find out more. We lived at 35 Shrublands Road in Berkhamstead while my father was stationed at RAF Bovington with the USAF.
We moved to Berkhamsted around 1968 when I was 5 years old. I went to Westfield school. After that I went to Thomas Bourne School, in the first year we had to do a couple of days a week at North Church school due to too many pupils. After that Ashlyns, which I hated but survived. My Dad, Bill was a monumental mason and we lived above the funeral directors, Malcolm Jones at 368 high street. My Mum Peggy ...see more
My parents ran the wine merchants Castle & Co ( became Victoria Wine) and I was married in August 1969 at St Peters Church. We lived just down from the Court House and I had my wedding reception there. Walked along the cobbled lantern to my wedding!!!! Was Valerie Whittle and now Val Spencer-Watkins and live in Australia now since 1981
I was born at the Grange Nursing Home in Berkhamsted on November 19th, 1950. My parents were John and Marjorie Stanborough, my father was a school teacher at Park View School which later reverted to Westfield. We lived on the Durrants Estate in Ashridge Rise and I have lovely memories of playing with my friends there, having picnics in Ross Way and playing rounders on the green. Sometimes we would ...see more