Straddling the border between Elstree and Boreham-wood, the popular Allum Lane Community Centre has been providing services to residents since 1951.

The manor house — which stands at the front of the grounds — dates back 400 years, but the earliest recorded resident was Thomas Jemmitt, who lived there in around 1827.

Three years later, the Grade II listed building was sold to the trustees of Thomas Haworth for £1,500. One of Haworth’s daughters, Euphrasia Fanny, became an author, artist and friend of the poet Robert Browning.

Throughout the rest of the 19th and early 20th Centuries, the house changed hands numerous times between affluent families keen to escape the poor conditions of inner-London.

The house underwent significant structural changes during this time.

The low kitchen wing extension was added during the 18th Century and a remodelling was carried out in around 1880.

In 1927, Madame Mabel von Briche became the last private owner of the property when she purchased the house for £3,500 and owned it throughout the Second World War.

When the war ended, the Elstree and Borehamwood Rotary Club saw a need for a community centre to serve the area’s booming population.

The Elstree, Borehamwood and District Public Hall Association was born and charged with the job of searching for an existing property to convert.

Early in 1951 the association became aware of the manor house, conveniently located on Allum Lane, which included 4.5 acres of land.

It was up for sale at £6,500, but the association had just £2,000 saved and so began a fundraising campaign.

In June, the Ritz cinema, Edgware was the venue for an all-star fundraising midnight matinée, attended by celebrities, of the day including Audrey Hepburn, Richard Attenborough and Norman Wisdom.

The association bought the house and sold some of the grounds that became various housing estates, including Park Crescent, Links Drive, Boreham Holt and the Holt Close development.

The association changed its name to the Elstree, Boreham-wood and District Community Association, but still owns the site today. Over the years, Allum Hall has been a popular venue for community events. In 1974 the council paid for an extension in 1974 to incorporate offices for the CAB, which is still based there today.

Today, the halls regularly play host to events, ranging from wedding receptions to fairs and exhibitions.

A £2.6million refurbishment in the Eighties, funded by Hertsmere Borough Council, included the restoration of the manor house and the demolition of its two rear halls.

The new Allum Hall was opened by the then Mayor of Hertsmere, Ted Gadsden, on March 26, 1998.

Jim McKean, the current chairman of Allum Lane Community Centre, said: “The centre is the same as it used to be in many ways but on a larger scale.”

Brian Stanley, trustee director of the Elstree, Borehamwood and District Community Association said: “It has always been the centre of the community providing facilities for every group, religious, political or any other type of organisation.”

For information on Allum Lane Community Centre, you can visit allumhall-manorhouse.co.uk