Projects delivered

Remit: Promote the heritage of Berkhamsted to visitors

The BCP working in partnership with the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society (BLHMS) applied for and were awarded funding of £15,000 (funding from Market Town’s Initiative Quality of Place, Awards for All and BLHMS) to promote the heritage of Berkhamsted. This funding enabled the BCP and BLHMS to improve the information available about the unique heritage of Berkhamsted as set out below.

Berkhamsted Town Hall has a fascinating heritage, but there was little information available to users, residents or visitors. Using the funding and many hours of BLHMS volunteer time, permanent interpretation panels have been installed in the Town Hall, together with over 50 black and white photos dating back to the 1800s. Now local people can easily learn about this unique town asset.

A map detailing the heritage of Berkhamsted was designed, with extensive assistance from BLHMS volunteers. Large-scale maps are displayed in a number of locations in the town including the Water Lane and Waitrose car parks. The map highlights over 35 key historic sites in and around Berkhamsted for people to visit.

A detailed booklet on Berkhamsted Castle was designed and produced, again with extensive assistance from the BLHMS. The booklet allows the visitor to Berkhamsted Castle to learn about the layout of the Castle in its heyday, the Castle’s history and famous people connected with it. The booklet is on sale at a number of different venues throughout the town.

The BCP are continuing to work alongside the Castle Liaison Group to enhance the experience of visitors to Berkhamsted Castle. See pictures of some of the heritage items below.

Promoting Berkhamsted’s Heritage

Berkhamsted successfully received funding from the Countryside Agency and Dacorum Borough Council, together with support from the Berkhamsted Town Council, to recruit a Project Officer to assist in taking forward the projects and co-ordinating the activities of the BCP.

Projects delivered so far include...

Projects delivered

Remit: Establish planning guidance for shop fronts/other aspects of built environment in line with Conservation Area maintenance and development.

The BCP, in association with CARAB, ran a photographic competition, with prizes, as an innovative way to consult with local people on their opinion of buildings and views in Berkhamsted worth preserving for the future. The competition was very popular. A wide variety of people took part, including young mothers, young people, unemployed people and the local MIND group. The photos were exhibited at the Collegiate School, Gallery One Eleven and the Rex.

Following consultation with approximately 200 local people, the partnership produced a report on buildings and views in Berkhamsted detailing local people’s suggestions for:

- local listing of buildings,

- identification of areas for enhancement,

- suggestions for preservation of view corridors and;

- a shop front design statement.

This report has been provided to the Dacorum Borough Council to feed into developing planning policy, assisting with appraisal of the Conservation Area in Berkhamsted and developing supplementary planning guidance.

Shop Front Design, Local Listings, Areas for Enhancement and Views in Berkhamsted Project

Remit: Investigate measures to deliver innovative youth facilities.

Over 200 young people in Berkhamsted were consulted by the BCP, working with the local police team. The consultation sought to identify which facilities were most needed by young people in Berkhamsted. The consultation identified that young people needed more outdoor activities such as a skate park, youth shelter and exciting play equipment.

The Town and Dacorum Borough Council, Youth Town Council and police working in partnership with the BCP, developed the idea for a youth and community activity area, combining a youth shelter, low level skate ramps, grinders and play equipment. The youth and activity area has now been completed in Canal Fields. The BCP, working together with the local police team, raised £6,000 of funding to provide the youth shelter within the youth and community activity area.

Young People’s Facilities Project

Berkhamsted Community Partnership

Improving Berkhamsted for its residents and visitors...

The partnership investigated the most appropriate legal structure for the partnership in order for the partnership, amongst other powers, to hold property and extend its ability to raise funds for projects. Following detailed research, it became clear that it was most appropriate for the BCP to incorporate as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Incorporation allows the BCP to operate on a clear and transparent basis and allows the BCP to access greater funding opportunities for projects.

Incorporation of the Partnership into a Company Limited by Guarantee