Hello, Berko!
Last week’s edition explored Berko’s music scene and how it might help to keep the post-holiday blues at bay. There are some big gigs this week too, so be sure to check out what’s happenin’ below.
But we are well and truly into January and it’s a time when the energy of a New Year can start to lag. So this week we’re also embracing the darkness and cozy movie nights.
It got us thinking about Berko’s place in cinema and what part(s) it’s played on the big screen.
This week’s billing:
Berko in the background: the town on film
Society spotlight: Berkhamsted Film Society
What’s happenin’ this week
Sports, music and dogs
Let’s get into it!
The semi-permanent temporary traffic lights at the top of Kings Road/Kingshill have given many locals time to finally spot the tiny sign for the British Film Institute’s National Archive.
The BFI Archive has been hidden away back there since 1935 and it’s always held a certain mystery; it’s one of those places that everyone’s vaguely aware of but few have ever been inside. It’s rarely open to the public but a pretty well-maintained website does allow for a peek behind the curtain.
Berko has had quite a long connection with the film industry and when you consider its links to London, varied landscape and proximity to Pinewood Studios, it’s no wonder.
Below are just a few cameos where Berko briefly stole the scene.
Berko in the background: the town on film
Son of Rambow (2007)
Set in the early days of home video when kids had access to cameras and absolutely no idea what to do with them beyond recreating Rambo in the woods with their mates.
Filmed almost entirely in Berko, using very recognisable spots including The Rex Cinema, Ashlyns School and nearby Ashridge Estate.
Also stars a young Will Poulter so we’ll claim some credit for his success.
Robin Hood (2010)
Large parts were filmed at Ashridge Estate, which doubled up as medieval countryside. A full farmstead was built in the woods so Robin could stop and ask for directions. The film didn’t get much better than this.
A nearby field was taken over as a base for more than 600 cast crew, who camped out for months for roughly six days of filming.
Most locals remember it because Russell Crowe was reportedly spotted in the King’s Arms. Whether he was buying rounds remains unclear.
Fifteen-Love (2023)
Several scenes were shot on the High Street, including one where the main character goes on a date in a local café.
The series didn’t attract a large audience or much critical attention, but it does present Berko in a contemporary way, as a modern commuter town rather than a historic backdrop.
Filming took place without much disruption and many locals only realised the connection after watching the show. Berko may have been the best thing about it, to be honest.
Society Spotlight: Berkhamsted Film Society
Founded in 1967 by a group of local film lovers, Berkhamsted Film Society has been bringing great cinema to the town for decades. From early 16mm screenings in hired halls to today’s fully digital, cinema-quality setup at the Civic Centre, the Society has evolved with the times while keeping its love of film at the centre of everything it does.
Membership gives you free entry to all regular films across the season, which runs through to the end of April.
We’ll include their films in our events listings, but the full programme, membership details and how to join are all on the Berkhamsted Film Society website.
What’s happenin’ this week
20 Jan | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 10:00 – 12:00 | Berkhamsted Outreach Event
20 Jan | Berkhamsted Library | 14:00 – 15:00 | Free (donation welcome) Berkhamsted Walking Book Club — stroll & book talk.
20 Jan | Northchurch Social Centre | 14:00 – 15:30 | Community Fridge — sharing food to prevent waste
21 Jan | The Highwayman | 19:30 | Quiz Night
22 Jan | The Kings Arms | 10:30 – 12:30 | Mum & Baby brunch — arrive when you like as there is no schedule
23 Jan | Centenary Theatre | 19:30 | Taylor Fever — the ultimate tribute to the sensational Taylor Swift | Details
24 Jan | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 20:00 – 22:00 | Kings of Lyon | Details
24 Jan | Northchurch Social Centre | 19:00 – 21:00 | Community Quiz Night — £5 entry and there is a bar + raffle – all welcome!
25 Jan | The Vyne Theatre | 18:30 | Hamlet (National Theatre Live) | Details
26 Jan | The Bull | 19:00 | Quiz Night — £12 entry + prizes to be won + inc. food at half time (£2 of entry fee goes to Mind Mental Health)
If you want to tell us (and other locals!) about something happening, use this form!
Movie Pick of the Week
22 Jan | The Rex | 14:00 & 19:30 | Song Sung Blue (12A)
Craig Brewer’s drama strikes a heartfelt chord, turning the true story of a husband-and-wife Neil Diamond tribute band into a warm, quietly affecting crowd-pleaser.
Berko Sports
Upcoming
20 Jan | Berkhamsted FC | Men’s First Team | 19:45 KO (h) | vs. Uxbridge FC
24 Jan | Berkhamsted FC | Men’s First Team | 15:00 KO (a) | vs. Sholing
24 Jan | Berkhamsted FC | Development Team | 15:00 KO (h) | vs. Aldershot Town B (cup)
25 Jan | Berkhamsted FC | Ladies | 15:00 KO (a) | vs. London Lions Ladies (cup)
Tinks | Breed unknown | Short walks for short legs | Loves sticks
Move Over Mama | Justin Townes Earle
Sleeping In | The Postal Service
I Don’t Care If There’s Cursing | Phosphorescent
Taylor Fever Tickets
We partnered with The Centenary Theatre to pass on two tickets to one from Berko reader. No strings attached, just a thank you for their early support.
We’re always looking for partnerships that serve Berko locals and we’ll provide as many opportunities to our readers as possible.
Timing meant that we ran this one through our Instagram account but future opportunities will always be newsletter-first where timing allows.
We’ve got two more tickets up for grabs so just reply to this email and tell us you want them!
Tickets are still available to buy here.
Friday 23 January
That’s it for this week.
Get out and enjoy the town but don’t be afraid to take one night to enjoy that overdue movie night too.
If you found something useful, don’t forget to share us with someone else.
— from Berko.