The Museum Store, Clarence Road,
Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3YL
Telephone 01442 879525
Email info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3YL
Telephone 01442 879525
Email info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
Fee: The fixed consultancy fee is £7,800, inclusive of VAT where applicable, covering all professional services in this brief.
Project costs: The consultancy fee is fixed and all-inclusive for the agreed scope. A separate budget is available for approved programming, interpretation and other delivery costs.
Overview: Help us bring a remarkable design story to life.
Dacorum Heritage is looking for an imaginative, collaborative and highly capable consultant to help bring The Art of Ovaltine to life — a three-week exhibition at Berkhamsted Civic Centre Main Hall.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a distinctive exhibition exploring the visual and cultural story of one of Britain’s best-known brands. Through original paintings, illustration, graphic design, photography and typography, The Art of Ovaltine will journey decade by decade through Ovaltine advertising, revealing changing ideas about British family life, health, design and everyday living.
Drawing on the richness of the Dacorum Heritage collection, the exhibition will be accessible, visually engaging and thought-provoking, with audiences ranging from families and local residents to heritage audiences, design enthusiasts and first-time visitors.
We have the story, the collection and the historical knowledge — we need your creative expertise to turn them into a compelling exhibition. We will provide the existing concept, collection knowledge and historical context, while the successful consultant will build on this foundation to develop a coherent, memorable and achievable exhibition that makes the most of the available material, space and audience opportunity.
The Project Assistant currently supporting the exhibition is leaving their post, so additional specialist capacity is now needed to maintain momentum and bring the project through to completion.
The timeframe is deliberately tight, with preparation needing to begin in October, and we are therefore looking for a consultant who can quickly understand the work undertaken to date, bring fresh ideas and professional expertise, and confidently lead the project towards delivery.
This is a chance to make a strong creative contribution to a distinctive local heritage exhibition — helping us transform an important collection into an engaging public experience.
Full details regarding the brief and how to apply: Temporary Exhibition Consultant Brief 2026
Visit our pop-up museum and join in hands-on activities for the whole family throughout the day:
Meet our ancestors
There have been people in Dacorum for 6000 years. See some of the tools and items discovered by archaeologists before having a go at some of the everyday tasks they would have. You might enjoy having a go at a little drumming as well!
A Common Ground - a collaborative community ceramic tile project celebrating the Everyday Histories of Dacorum
You will be able to decorate handmade clay tiles inspired by the places, stories and objects that shape the Borough.
Each decorated tile will become part of one large community ceramic panel, creating a
lasting artwork that reflects Dacorum through the eyes of its residents.
When: Sunday 20th September, 11am-3pm
Activities on the stand are sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council.
A creative family workshop inspired by the Dacorum Heritage Trust collections
Join mixed media artist Paula Watkins for a hands-on family workshop and design a handmade concertina artist book that opens up to reveal an imagined street from the past.
Taking inspiration from objects in the Dacorum Heritage Trust collections, families will look closely at buildings, trades, artefacts, colours and stories from local history, then use these ideas to create their own folded street scene.
This relaxed and imaginative session is suitable for families and young people who enjoy making, drawing and discovering the past together. No previous art experience is needed — just bring your curiosity and creativity.
Perfect for: families, children and young people interested in art, making and local history.
What you’ll make: a handmade concertina artist book featuring a street inspired by imagination and heritage collections.
When: Saturday 19th September, 10.30am-3.30pm
Where: Hemel Hempstead Library, The Forum, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN
Minimum age: 7 years old
Children under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. We request a maximum of 3 child tickets per 1 adult ticket booked to ensure that you have the best possible experience.
Dacorum Heritage is seeking an experienced Communications and Marketing Consultant to create a practical Marketing and Communications Plan that supports day-to-day services, strengthens digital media activity and helps us communicate confidently about the future.
£3,000, inclusive of VAT where applicable and all associated costs. This is an all-inclusive fixed fee for the agreed scope of work.
We are looking for a consultant to create a Marketing and Communications Plan for Dacorum Heritage. The plan should be practical, proportionate and designed for use by a small, part-time museum team.
The work will help us:
What Dacorum Heritage will provide
We are looking for someone who brings
September 2026: appointment of freelance consultant
October to November 2026: research, consultation and review of current communications activity
December 2026: draft Marketing and Communications Plan shared for feedback
January 2027: final plan and practical recommendations completed
Please note that the museum team is part-time and the Museum Store is open Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
To apply, please send a covering letter and CV outlining your relevant experience, along with a short proposal setting out your approach to the brief, to Melissa Linsey, Museum Manager, at melissalinsey@dacorumheritage.org.uk.
This is an opportunity to help Dacorum Heritage communicate more clearly, reach more people and prepare for an important next stage in its development.
Marketing and Communications Consultant Brief 2026
We’re working with Dacorum Borough Council to support Heritage Open Days 2026. We are planning a series of activities, working with Local History Societies, to showcase the Everyday Histories of Dacorum.
We are now looking for one or more creative practitioners to devise and deliver workshops or performances on up to 4 days with an artistic response to this theme and collections held in Dacorum Heritage.
The total fee available is £1500 to include up to 4 days delivery, Research and Development and materials.
This equates to £375 per delivery day, with R&D and materials.
We welcome proposals from individual creative practitioners and collaborations. Depending on the proposals received, we may commission more than one creative response and divide the total fee between multiple creative practitioners.
Dacorum Borough Council and Dacorum Heritage Trust are working together to support Heritage Open Days 2026. We are planning a series of activities, working with Local History Societies, to showcase the Everyday Histories of Dacorum.
We are now looking for one or more creative practitioners to devise and deliver workshops or performances on up to 4 days, with an artistic response to this theme and collections held in Dacorum Heritage.
Each workshop should be for either families or adults.
Workshops could be drop-in activities or pre-bookable – depending on the creative practitioner.
Workshops may be held in Tring, Berkhamsted, Kings Langley or Hemel Hempstead
The workshops must be delivered during the period of Heritage Open Days: 12th – 20th September 2026. There is an opportunity for one of the activities to be held on Sunday 13th September at Berkhamsted Civic Centre, during a planned pop-up museum event.
The timeline below is indicative.
July: appointment of creative practitioner(s)
August: research and planning time
12th – 20th September 2026: delivery of art workshops during Heritage Open Days
Please send a short proposal outlining how you would meet the brief above (max. 2 sides A4) and a CV of your relevant experience to Melissa Linsey on melissalinsey@dacorumheritage.org.uk and to DBC’s Arts & Culture Team at culture@dacorum.gov.uk.
The proposal should clearly outline the target audience, type of workshop/performance and length of workshop/performance (including if repeated during the day).
Please read the full brief before submitting your proposal Creative Practitioner Brief Heritage Open Days 2026
We have limited parking and therefore is only available to those with access needs. This must be pre-arranged with the museum office by emailing info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
Dacorum Heritage opens its doors this September. Take a guided tour around the museum store and enjoy a small display about Everyday Histories in Dacorum.
The guided tours will offer you an overview of Dacorum’s history, spanning over 6,000 years. Learn about the activities we do to help conserve your local history.
The museum is home to a vast collection of local history from across the borough. Explore a small display of items highlighting everyday histories.
Wednesday 16 September, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Thursday 17 September, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Friday 18 September, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Pre-booking required for the museum tours, as numbers are limited.
Or drop in any time between 11am-3pm to view our FREE display.
We are rather hidden behind Berkhamsted High Street. We hope this guide 2026 will help you to find us, or for what three words, use: overt.inkjet.appraised
Due to the layout of the museum store, tours are not suitable for children under 8 years old.
We are very sorry to say that the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users as the guided tours take place over two floors, up a staircase (we do not have lift access). The display is wheelchair accessible.
We have limited parking and therefore is only available to those with access needs. This must be pre-arranged with the museum office by emailing LaurenWilson@dacorumheritage.org.uk
Dacorum Heritage Trust has asked Dacorum Borough Council to support them in finding a much-needed new home. They are developing a proposal to bring The Bury, one of Hemel Hempstead’s most important historic buildings, back into active public use as a welcoming heritage centre for the whole borough.
The proposed project would protect the Grade II* listed building, provide a permanent home for Dacorum’s collections, and create new opportunities for learning, volunteering, creativity and community activity.
The Bury has the potential to become a vibrant place where local people can explore, enjoy and help shape Dacorum’s story. The proposed centre would combine exhibitions, collections care, education, events and community-led activities in one accessible location close to the Old Town and Gadebridge Park.
It would also:
The Bury is a building of exceptional local significance. Its location, character and civic history make it well suited to a public heritage role. Bringing Dacorum Heritage Trust’s collections, exhibitions, staff and volunteers together on one site would improve access, strengthen long-term care of the collections, and reduce the need to operate across separate locations.
The current request is for Dacorum Borough Council to support the proposal in principle so that more detailed work can begin. This would not require an immediate capital commitment from the Council. Instead, it would allow time to develop designs, undertake surveys, test the business case, consult partners and communities, and seek external funding.
Dacorum Heritage Trust would seek a mix of heritage grants, charitable funding, philanthropy, sponsorship and earned income. Potential income could come from venue hire, learning programmes, specialist services, retail and supporter schemes.
If agreement in principle is secured, Dacorum Heritage Trust would work with the Council, funders, partners and the community to develop a full project plan. This would include detailed surveys, conservation advice, design work, funding applications, community engagement and a robust business case before any final decisions are made.
Public support will help show strong community backing for bringing The Bury back into active public use as a heritage centre for Dacorum.
David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: "The Bury is one of Hemel Hempstead’s most important historic buildings, and it has been left without a clear future for far too long. It’s a place with deep personal and community significance—my own parents were married there, as were many local families.
Last year, I wrote to the Chief Executive of Dacorum Borough Council urging that all viable options be explored, and I have written again to support this proposal from Dacorum Heritage Trust. It offers a real opportunity to bring The Bury back into public use—protecting it for future generations while creating a vibrant space for learning, culture and community activity.
I will continue working with the Council and partners to help secure a positive and sustainable future for this much-loved building.”
Outline Proposal for The Bury as submitted to Dacorum Borough Council
We're delighted to share that we continue to hold Full Accreditation as a museum for the borough. To continue high quality standards this award is reviewed every 5-7 years, and Dacorum Heritage has held this status since 2008.
This Arts Council programme ensures that the collections are well cared for and that we work to engage people with the stories held within the stores.
Dacorum Heritage opens its doors this July. Take a guided tour around the museum store and enjoy a small display of 1950s Ovaltine advertising artwork.
The guided tours will offer you an overview of Dacorum’s history, spanning over 6,000 years. Learn about the activities we do to help conserve your local history.
The museum is also home to a collection of objects rescued from the Ovaltine Factory in Kings Langley. Explore a small display of beautiful 1950s Ovaltine advertising artworks, from original paintings to final designs.
Opening Dates & Times:
Thursday 9 July, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Friday 10 July, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Saturday 11 July, 11am-3pm (tours at 11am & 1pm)
Paid pre-booking required for the museum tours, as numbers are limited. £4.00 per person
Or drop in any time between 11am-3pm to view our FREE Ovaltine display.
Location: Dacorum Heritage, Museum Store, Clarence Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 3YL
How to find us: We are rather hidden behind Berkhamsted High Street. We hope this guide 2026 will help you to find us, or for what three words, use: overt.inkjet.appraised
Age limit: Due to the layout of the museum store, tours are not suitable for children under 8 years old.
Accessibility: We are very sorry to say that the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users as the guided tours take place over two floors, up a staircase (we do not have lift access). The display is wheelchair accessible.
Parking: We have limited parking and therefore is only available to those with access needs. This must be pre-arranged with the museum office by emailing LaurenWilson@dacorumheritage.org.uk
