Linda Rollitt

Family & local historian from Shrewsbury, love studying (Vikings, Empire, WWI, Jane Austen, climate, EU ref, politics, Portuguese). MSc Oxford 2012

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

In 1875, a level crossing was closed in #berkhamsted. Railway company built bridge with 3 approach roads: to Bank Mill canal bridge, to George Street & Ivy House Lane to Gutteridge Farm higher up the hill. Railway workers with horse and cart, early 20c. https://t.co/CGEhvYPMey

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

A correspondent says he spent early years in Tring, always called Bulbourne 'Boobun', Wilstone 'Wilstun', Startops End 'Starrups End'. Many Tring people thought #berkhamsted was a swanky sort of town - 'all spats and no socks'! Billet Lane ford... https://t.co/WawBjLhbhS

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

The pleasures of local history for #berkhamsted's Percy Birtchnell (aka Beorcham): "I was 'hooked' on local history at a very early age... I loved hearing my grandparents chat about the old days. They spoke of Lower King's Road as 'the new road'..." https://t.co/y0R9PPtevZ

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

A site for sore eyes... St. John's Well #berkhamsted was famous for its curative properties. An elderly lady regularly sat in state in her carriage while her coachman filled old champagne bottles with precious lotion! https://t.co/yej5QrWZGQ

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

First walk up the long hill road from #berkhamsted Castle to the Common. Water End where the fragility of the view is unnerving. Add one building, or chop a tree, and it would burst like a bubble. (Brian Dunning, Country Life, 11 Aug 1966). https://t.co/Tarm6Drmph

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

Firemen at speed near Manor St #berkhamsted.
Building on the right displays large sign "Ind Coope's Romford Agency". An ad in 1869 says families requiring prompt and regular supplies of their justly celebrated Ales & Stout, may rely on agents Baker & Long. https://t.co/pn1BqE3YNT

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

Any guesses at the date of this (undated) postcard of #berkhamsted High Street?

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

In 1878, May Day was observed by an unusually large number of garland parties. With a fine day and an abundance of flowers, their perambulations were agreeable, and common enough to perfume the neighbourhood. Somewhere in #berkhamsted (undated) https://t.co/SCvaWJpwLS

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

Good to see #berkhamsted castle moats looking healthy these days. The Apr 1931 edition of Country Life reported on clearing work at the site with a photo showing mott and moat, which had become almost wholly silted up. https://t.co/L29miXcYwK

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

The St George’s Day Parade, now called the Day of Celebration and Achievement, began in 1934.
St George's Day Parade in Northchurch #berkhamsted with scouts procession led by scout band, possibly 1940s... https://t.co/fPCRqzbdm7

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

Shotgun wedding in #berkhamsted 1748. Parish constables recorded expenses in assisting Erasmus Holly to wed Ann Gouldston age 13. Ann's parents were both widowed when their clandestine marriage took place at Mr & Mrs Ball's in London in 1731. https://t.co/pPXnYgh9bX

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

William De Fraine was one of #berkhamsted's two hairdressers in 1839 - his son or grandson was 'Daffy' De Fraine. A spirited councillor as well as a good hairdresser, he kept a little shop between the Swan Hotel and the Crown (shown on the left)... https://t.co/5ureYNGf4t

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

As Dickman's in #berkhamsted merges with Acorn Pharmacy, looking back to the centenary celebrations: https://t.co/D73oR7fonU

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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... https://t.co/ot1xN0XUEX

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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. https://t.co/v2CEnf0Qe2

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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... https://t.co/mj6PHjHYwj

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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). https://t.co/OLe7ciHo3n

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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

[Linda Rollitt @rollittl]

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. https://t.co/D94BcVqmKM