Linda Rollitt

There are only 17 sites in the whole of England where the Pasque (meaning Easter) flower grows in early spring, and two of these are on the National Trust's chalklands of the Ivinghoe Hills, near #berkhamsted. St Peter's Church viewed from south west... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Spring in the air tra-la... Lawn-mowers out of hibernation, umpteen flowers appearing, Bulbourne going through an inflationary period, swirling over the plank bridge at the bottom of St John's Well, swans buoyant... it's one of those years, 1975. facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Fond memories of the canal at #berkhamsted. "The horses have gone, and so have the ancient 'water gipsy' costumes. Happily, the gay paintwork and gleaming brass ornaments of many a barge still delight the eye." (Beorcham, 1956). Castle Wharf, 2017... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Deer soup: In consequence of severe weather, a kind gift of a Doe was received from Ashridge #berkhamsted at Potten End Vicarage, 270 pints of excellent soup were made and distributed to all families residing there (Potten End Parish Magazine, Mar 1897). facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

An oddity for historians on a death certificate in 1863: what does that mean beneath "Female"?

Check out this detailed talk given on 19 Feb 2026 by #berkhamsted Castle trustee James Moir about the history of Castle Fields, how they have been reprieved from the danger of development, the need to repay a loan (£500k) and the plans to raise the funds. youtube.com/watch?v=Rid1CC…

BLH&MS talk: Archaeology on the HS2 line at Wendover south and Stoke Mandeville, by Doug Stuckey on 11 Mar 2026 at 8:00pm in the Civic Centre, #berkhamsted. Visitors always welcome @ £5 at door. facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Two tramps tore up ragged clothes and were given new ones branded 'Aylesbury Union'. They tore them up hoping for new replacements in #berkhamsted. Unfortunately, new ones were branded 'Berkhamstead Union', 1846. Picture of back of Bridewell gaol... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Who knew there used to be a butcher's shop here?... Putt Bros: Cooked meats and bacon, quality meat and poultry at High Street #berkhamsted opposite Highfield Road 1960/1970...

Country Housewife's Family Companion, by William Ellis of Little Gaddesden, 1750 includes pancakes: "one of the cheapest and most serviceable Dishes of a Farmer’s Family". Plain recipes for the poor, variants with cream, meat, fruit or sugar for gentry. facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/13…

Interesting discovery at Five Bells (later Nicholls) #berkhamsted - state lottery handbill, probably posted by Stephen Holloway, mine host in 1820s, blissfully unaware that within 20 years the railway would end coaching days and deprive him of business. facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

I just started a Substack! Posted a story about workwear in #berkhamsted c.18th-19th century. Rossway gardeners modelling their work outfits.. rollittl.substack.com/p/what-to-wear…

Beorcham suggests an extra drain to prevent a watersplash in #berkhamsted: "... a wretched pool of dirty water... sometimes swirling over the kerb, at the very point where thousands of people cross the High St. daily - the traffic lights at Mayo's corner." facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

On Plough Monday... "In Hertfordshire we say a lousy plowman [is] the best, because by the plowman's scrubbing he riggles the plow, and thereby makes it go the easier after the horse". Ploughman at Bottom Farm #berkhamsted... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

BLH&MS talk: Intelligence Networks behind enemy lines in WWI and WWII by Helen Fry on 14 Jan 2026 at 8:00pm in the Civic Centre #berkhamsted. Visitors are always welcome @ £5 at the door. Women in Intelligence by Helen Fry... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

It was Christmas Day in the workhouse, bottom of Kitsbury Road #berkhamsted. Many kind friends sent tea, sugar, tobacco, fruit, sweets, nuts, cakes, mince pies, ale, toys, pictorial papers, so the festival was made as enjoyable as possible, 1897 facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

The Holly and the Ivy... Interior of St Peter's #berkhamsted… Holly derives its name from custom of decorating places of worship with evergreens, originally holy tree. Mistletoe adorns humble apple-tree rather than stately oak, as in days of Druids. facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

Oh Come All Ye Faithful… Christmas wedding took place at St Peter’s church #berkhamsted 1897 “a most cheerful and lively affair, bride dressed in oyster white satin trimmed with Brussels lace and real orange blossoms”. Painting of 19c wedding... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…

Walking in a winter wonderland… Although buses found it impossible to go from Chesham to #berkhamsted the happiest sight of all was to see the Grammar School students crowding into the newly-covered, cosy "Pride of Bucks" charabanc – snow, what cared they! Castle moat, 1890s

Wassail! Wassail! All Over the Town… Duke William was crowned King on Christmas Day 1066 at #berkhamsted Castle, “our country... watching with sullen anger the victorious usurper wassailing in a Saxon stronghold" Pageant 1966... facebook.com/BLHMS/posts/12…