Ann joined the History Society over seventeen years ago, but first became involved when she volunteered in the early 1990s, when help was needed in setting up the Heritage Store behind the Civic Centre. The ladies were asked to so a “little gentle dusting” and cleaning, while the gentlemen rebuilt the second-hand shelving. However, the “gentle dusting” developed into extremely dirty washing down of the shelves and floors with the need for frequent new buckets of water. Memories of this “gentle dusting” have been a source of amusement ever since. Ann continued every week without fail since the Store opened, helping to sort out the archives and particularly the thousands of Berkhamsted photographs. Her enthusiastic and endless work over so many years contributed enormously to the Heritage Store being granted museum status.
In the end six properties were researched and published and the reports incorporated in Tom Williamson’s book The Parks and Gardens of West Hertfordshire and as a lasting tribute, Ann’s name is recorded in the acknowledgments in the book.
Spurred on by this success, the History Society’s own research continued with two further detailed reports on the Manor of Maudelyn and Berkhamsted Place. Ann excelled in the procurement of information on local families connected with these. Medieval history was perhaps her greatest love and her knowledge was profound. Ann was our expert on the early kings and queens of England. She was responsible for sorting and placing in folders many of the Society’s vast collection of photographs and could quickly lay her hands on any required photo, without needing to check on our computer system MODES as to where it might be! She knew her way well round the Store and was especially knowledgeable about the archaeology collection, often helping with guiding for Museum tours. Shortly before he last illness she helped put boxes back in the newly-installed mobile shelving in the Archaeology Store.
Every Wednesday she came into the Store, researching on some aspect of medieval Berkhamsted, looking for evidence of early charters, or for the mention of Constables of the Castle. Her research took her further afield to Hertford, to the Guildhall Library, to Wallingford. The excitement with which she recounted what she had discovered was infectious. She contacted record offices throughout the country, following leads.
She cared passionately about Berkhamsted Castle and represented the Archaeology Society on the Castle Liaison Group. When BLHMS won an “Awards for All” lottery grant and was asked by the CLG to prepare information panels Ann had very definite ideas about what should be included and made suggestions for appropriate illustrations. Although she checked the text and saw some of the rough proofs, sadly she did not live to see the finished panels on display in the Visitor Room at the Castle.
When BLHMS was searching for a new Secretary Ann agreed to step into the breach, on condition that she should be only minute Secretary. She was already Secretary of the Archaeology Society and Secretary of the Friends of Dacorum Museum, and represented the Friends on the board of the Dacorum Heritage Trust! A keen local historian, a hard and enthusiastic worker, Ann contributed much to our knowledge and understanding of the history and heritage of Berkhamsted. Her passing has left a gap in all our lives. We miss her cheerful “busyness” and her excited enthusiasm for every new discovery, but she has left much behind as a permanent legacy.
(Adapted from the Society’s tribute to Ann, read at her Memorial Service, 6th September 2007).
Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society 