We were delighted to celebrate with our 2026 Heritage Heroes. This award is given each year by Hertfordshire Association of Museums, to volunteers nominated by the countywide institutions, to which they contribute their many skills. This year Frogmore Paper Mill nominated Peter Hailes and Andy Neill, who joined us at The British Schools Museum, Hitchin for speeches, an interesting presentation by Bee Smythe, awards, certificates and, tea and cake.

Volunteer Peter Hailes is a key member of the Paper Trail Heritage Fire Brigade team, who preserve and maintain our heritage fire vehicles and pumps. Pete has been instrumental in drawing the PTHFB into our many events such as the Working Vehicle Day, and VE and VJ80 celebrations in 2025, including delivering the VE80 town cry from the top of the 1938 Dennis Ace fire engine in May. In addition, he finds time to join the team at heritage vehicle and steam events around the county, deliver one a talk about the fire service, become one of our trained skippers and, don’t tell anyone under 8, be our special red-suited guest on the Santa Storyboats each year.  He even has his own suit!

Andy Neill brings a variety of practical skills to Frogmore. Known for his carpentry skills, he can turn his hand to many of the practical maintenance tasks and indeed has done so. He has cleared the river of trollies, fixed the sash windows and carried out most types of practical repair at the mill. In addition, Andy is a skilled skipper and usually the first to come forward to help. For some years, Andy has been a regular and highly informative tour guide, offering the many varied paper stories, to our visitors.

Both Peter and Andy can be seen here receiving their certificates from Cllr Chris Lucas.