Uncovering Berko

This Saturday, everyone is invited to Rectory Lane Cemetery to Adopt A Grave and in doing so, tend a piece of Berko's history.

It got me researching a man from Berko who spent his life paying close attention to what lies beneath. Sir John Evans, who lived on Castle Hill but died in 1908, was one of the foremost archaeologists of his age. His collection of ancient stone tools, coins and artefacts can be found in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. His son Arthur went on to excavate Knossos in Crete and between them, they played a pretty significant role in writing history as we know it.

People have been mapping and cataloguing this part of the world for a long time too. The Ordnance Survey produced a detailed plan of Berko in 1876 and the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society has a great collection of local maps here.

Which brings me to something we've been working on. We've just launched The Berko Blueprint — a printable map of Berkhamsted, free for anyone who refers a friend to the newsletter.

It won't rival Sir John Evans for archaeological significance but it is exclusive to from Berko readers. You'll find the referral section just below this week but it’ll be back to normal (the bottom) next Tuesday. And if you own a local business and want to offer a reward for referrers, just hit reply and get in touch.

Otherwise, share the love and help other locals uncover the best bits from Berko.

Maps included.

17 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 10:00 - 12:00 | Berkhamsted Outreach Event — drop in to meet volunteer advisors and find out about volunteering opportunities across Berkhamsted. Runs selected Tuesdays | Details

17 Mar | Northchurch Social Centre | 14:00 - 15:30 | Community Fridge

17 Mar | The Bull | 19:30 | Great Big Green Week Energiser — a friendly planning session for anyone who'd like to get involved in Berkhamsted's Great Big Green Week (6–14 June). Come along to discuss what activities you can bring to the week. All welcome.

17 Mar | The Highwayman | 19:30 | Quiz Night

18 Mar | Village Hall, Potten End | 10:30 | Paradise Lost and Restored — Arts Society Gade Valley talk: Timothy Walker explores 400 years of garden design through the lens of the Oxford Botanic Garden | Details

18 Mar | The Crystal Palace | 19:30 | Quiz Night

18 Mar | The Highwayman | 19:30 | Relax, Sip, Create — paint a mini planter, sip a glass of wine and take home a little plant to grow | Details

19 Mar | Blues Bar, Tring | 20:00 | Big Wolf Band — live blues | Details

20 Mar | Mad Squirrel | 19:00 | Ponytail Heroes — the rock and pop duo bring a lively set of classic hits and crowd favourites to the taproom

20 Mar | The Old Mill | 19:30 | Solo Connects — Singles Event — up to 100 singles, aged 35–55(ish). A relaxed night to meet people at one of Berko's nicest venues | Details

20 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 19:30 | The Dung Beatles: Help! & Rubber Soul — songs from both classic albums and more, live | Details

21 Mar | Centenary Theatre | 12:30 & 18:30 | ZKT Dance Academy: The Rewind — a high-energy celebration of 90s & 00s hits with two performances from the local dance academy's 2026 showcase | Details

21 Mar | Rectory Lane Cemetery | 14:00 - 16:00 | Adopt a Grave! — find out about adopting a grave and helping maintain this award-winning wildlife-friendly community space. Join other volunteers making it even more beautiful | Details

21 Mar | St Peter's Church | 19:30 | Chiltern Chamber Choir: O Radiant Dawn — the Berkhamsted-based choir perform sacred music by Byrd, Britten, Harris and MacMillan. Tickets on the door | Details

21 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 19:45 | Special Kinda Madness — a high-energy tribute combining The Specials' stage presence with the iconic tunes of Madness. Pure 2-Tone and ska — expect everyone up and dancing | Details

1 Mar | St Peter & St Paul Church, Tring | 20:00 | Secondary Modern Jazz: Swing into Spring! — laid-back and soulful jazz in a beautiful church setting. Proceeds going to the Hospice of St Francis and Medical Detection Dogs | Details

22 Mar | High Street | 10:00 - 14:00 | Berkhamsted Farmers' Market — your regular third-Sunday fix of local produce, fresh bread, artisan goods and more

22 Mar | Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre | Hemel Comic Con — trading card exhibitors covering Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana and Panini | Details

22 Mar | Berkhamsted Town Hall | 16:00 | Gardener to the Sun King — Behind the Mirror presents an afternoon of music and words celebrating a different side of the French Court of Louis XIV | Details

23 Mar | Markova Theatre, Tring Park School | 14:30 & 19:30 | Senior Dance Show 2026 — new works choreographed by Tring Park's dance faculty, performed by students in Years 11–13 | Details

23 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 17:00 | Brilliant Berkhamsted — launch of the town council's new initiative in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, local retailers and businesses

23 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 20:00 | Girls Will Be Girls (15) — presented by Berkhamsted Film Society | Details

23 Mar | The Bull | 19:00 | Quiz Night — £12pp entry, prizes to be won, food at half time (£2 per entry goes to Mind Mental Health)

If you want to tell us (and other locals!) about something happening, use this form!

23 Mar | Berkhamsted Civic Centre | 20:00 | Girls Will Be Girls (15)

At a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayan foothills, 18-year-old Mira first discovers desire and romance. However, her curious, rebellious, coming-of-age is disrupted by her young mother, who never got to come of age herself | Details

18 Mar | Berkhamsted FC | Development | 19:45 KO (h) | vs. Penn & Tylers Green U23 (cup)

21 Mar | Berkhamsted FC | Development | 15:00 KO (h) | vs. Brook House FC Reserves

21 Mar | Berkhamsted FC | Men's First Team | 15:00 KO (a) | vs. Havant & Waterlooville

That’s it for this week.

Whatever you find yourself doing, dig out your soul.

— from Berko.