Dacorum - Within Living Memory

240 pp. The blossoming of Hemel Hempstead from small 'country-town' into a very successful 'new town' too little more than a decade. A diverse mix of modern industry and well-planned areas of open space between the varied housing estates avoids soul-destroying monotony. The pressure upon Hemel Hempstead to fill 'vacant' plots with offices and factories has been resisted; a blend of old and new is successfully retained - and appreciated. If there has been a blot upon Hemel Hempstead's reputation it is that its shopping facilities may have left a little to be desired. But now even that is changing with the building in progress of a new shopping complex in Marlowes. In 1974 local government re-organisation brought far-reaching changes in which Dacorum encompassed Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley and Tring. But the necessity of rationalisation has not meant that these towns, and other villages, have lost their identity. Indeed, as text and photographs show, they are a substantial part of the strength of modern Dacorum. 'Dacorum - Within Living Memory,' with a vivid account of war-time life, and problems of changing health/hospital care, and schooling in the post-war era, makes compelling reading for anyone with an interest in their home ground within Dacorum.