![Blue sky thinking](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10290/505163/5f40b47b86431/Blue-sky-thinking.jpg)
Lancashire has its cotton mills, Staffordshire its breweries, Cornwall its tin mines and here in Hertfordshire we have aerospace. I was reminded of that as I entered the newly upgraded de Havilland Aircraft Museum. That, and the fact that a satellite launched in February from Cape Canaveral to orbit the sun is just the latest space explorer built by Airbus in Stevenage.
So it was ironic then that, like some rookie pilot who left his goggles behind, I completely overshot the country lane of a landing strip that takes you from the B556 near London Colney to the exquisite Tudor manor that is Salisbury Hall and home to the de Havilland collection.
‘You’re not the first to do that,’ curator Alistair Hodgson told me. ‘We’re a bit of a well-kept secret along this road. It’s part of the attraction.’
The former engineer who had himself stumbled upon the place in the days when, like lots of youngsters, he was captivated by Airfix models, agreed to show me around its latest asset, a giant hangar that was, until a few fateful months ago, set to be the centrepiece of celebrations to mark 100 years of this most iconic of aircraft companies.
The Sir Geoffrey de Havilland Hangar, funded by a National Lottery grant approaching £2m, has added a new dimension to this volunteer-run museum which opened in 1959, making it the oldest aviation museum in Britain. The hangar is bolted to one named after Walter Goldsmith, former owner and restorer of Salisbury Hall, which was opened by the Queen Mother in 1982.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
![A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9675971863e/crp_A-day-in-the-life-of-a-jewellery-designer.jpg)
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
![Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966c73d8038/crp_Sniffig-out-clues-in-THE-ASHES.jpg)
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
![The greatest traveller](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966a6aca407/crp_The-greatest-traveller.jpg)
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
![In bed with CELEBS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f965df3ef3fa/crp_In-bed-with-CELEBS.jpg)
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
![Roam with a view](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9667ab48628/crp_Roam-with-a-view.jpg)
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
![Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f96707eb48f5/crp_Saving-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle.jpg)
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
![5 minutes with](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966e7112591/crp_5-minutes-with.jpg)
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week