Melba has lived in Sopwell for over sixty years. She maintains that she is the oldest person in her street. When Melba first came to Leyland Avenue, it was more of a community and she knew everyone in the street… More about ‘Living in Leyland Avenue – Melba Buckingham’»
Category: 1940s
Sopwell House and New Barnes Mill – Mary Myers
Mary was born in 1929 and lived in New House Park. She recalls the Barnett family who lived in Sopwell House, previously called Sopwell Manor, and how Lady Aileen Barnett was frequently caught speeding. She remembers picking mushrooms, the ice… More about ‘Sopwell House and New Barnes Mill – Mary Myers’»
Boating on the Ver – Lil Day
When Lil Day first came to St Albans with her husband after the war, she lived with her mother-in-law in Park Street. The river Ver was at the bottom of the garden. Lil describes a family boat trip, complete with… More about ‘Boating on the Ver – Lil Day’»
Blowers family – Bet Cutler
Bet’s neighbours in Cottonmill Lane were the Blowers family: Mrs Blowers and her two daughters, Gig and Dawn. The Blowers lived at Sopwell Mill farm for over fifty years. They kept a few animals including a cow and some chickens… More about ‘Blowers family – Bet Cutler’»
Cottonmill Lane – Bet Cutler
Bet Cutler was born in Cottonmill Crescent in 1923. She has many memories as a child of the Cottonmill Lane area including what it was like at the swimming baths, the two houses which were pulled down to build Old… More about ‘Cottonmill Lane – Bet Cutler’»
Sportsman’s Hall – Bet Cutler
Bet Cutler, born in 1923, remembers that her father, Edward Butcher, had a flat in Sportsman’s Hall which is on the corner of Prospect Road and Cottonmill Lane. She remembers one of her friends who used to live in the… More about ‘Sportsman’s Hall – Bet Cutler’»
Memories of St Peter’s school – John Buckingham
John, born 1943, recalls his first school, St Peter’s, which was originally in Old London Road. He recalls his classroom and some of his teachers. He remembers being envious of the girls from Priory Park school who were picked up… More about ‘Memories of St Peter’s school – John Buckingham’»
Working life – Winnie Jeffs and Betty Cox
Betty left school aged 14 to train at House and Williams secretarial college in Victoria Street and the she worked for Road Transport and general Insurance offices in London Road. Winnie was that much older and as it was wartime,… More about ‘Working life – Winnie Jeffs and Betty Cox’»
Shopping – Betty Cox and Winnie Jeffs
Betty Cox lived in Prospect Road and Winnie Jeffs lived in Fleetville. Together they talk about some of the shops and delivery men in the area around Prospect Road, Cottonmill Lane and Holywell Hill. Interview date: 26 September 2013. Interviewer:… More about ‘Shopping – Betty Cox and Winnie Jeffs’»
St Julian’s Tavistock Sunday School
St Julian’s Tavistock Sunday school started in the home of Miss Welton at 62 Tavistock Avenue. It then moved to the butcher’s shop in Vesta Avenue before it was given a more permanent home in the alleyway at the bottom… More about ‘St Julian’s Tavistock Sunday School’»
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