Val Biro’s Chesham Years – a talk by his daughter Melissa

Val Biro (1921–2014) — illustrator, artist, and author — brought the charming tales of Gumdrop the old car to life, inspired by Chesham and its people. Born in Budapest, he fled to London in 1939, later settling in Chesham in 1955. He illustrated over 400 books, designed more than 3,000 covers, and worked with Radio Times for 21 years. A founder of the Chesham Society, he was passionate about preserving the town’s history.

Melissa Biro will be talking about her father’s formative years, his war, and life at Germains in the 1950s and ’60s in the Community Room on the ground floor at Chesham Town Hall on Wednesday 21 May at 3pm. Tickets are £6.00 available at www.cheshammuseum.org.uk.

In addition, Amy Davis is leading Val Biro’s tour of 1960s Chesham meeting outside Chesham Library at 2:30pm on Monday 26th May. Tickets are £6.00, available as above.