Betty Entwistle house, a local authority sheltered housing scheme in Holyrood Crescent, was constructed around 1975-76 and officially opened in 1977 with the planting of a tree. The photo below shows a local dignitary doing the planting. In the background… More about ‘Betty Entwistle House’»
Category: 1970s
Vesta Avenue shops
The shops in Vesta Avenue originally consisted of three shops: St Julian’s Stores at one end, Holdham’s Butchers in the middle and St Stephen’s Stores at the other end. In between was waste ground. These three shops were built when the… More about ‘Vesta Avenue shops’»
Watercress wildlife area
The commercial watercress industry ceased in the Riverside Road site in the 1970s. A lot of the springs had dried up. Some of the productive land was used for allotment but there was a lot of fly tipping so it needed some attention. St… More about ‘Watercress wildlife area’»
Mercer Chronometers
Mercers was a family run marine chronometer manufacturing business. The firm started in 1858 in Clerkenwell London by the founder, Thomas Mercer. Thomas was born in St Helen’s Lancashire in 1822. St Helen’s was said to be the centre of… More about ‘Mercer Chronometers’»
Cottonmill Club
A social club, called the Cottonmill Club, was launched in 1970s to provide community facilities for the residents of the new Cottonmill and St Julian’s estates. Membership was by subscription and in its heyday it attracted over 2,000 members. It… More about ‘Cottonmill Club’»
Church Lads Brigade – Mike Titchiner
One of Mike’s friends persuaded him to join the choir which was part of the Church Lads Brigade – even though he couldn’t sing! It was there that got to know the Reverend Hart-Synnot very well. Choir practice was in… More about ‘Church Lads Brigade – Mike Titchiner’»
Fatal accident on the railway line – Adelle Stapleton
Adelle recalls the sad tale of how one of her school friends who lived at the Mandeville Children’s home was killed near the level crossing. The home was closed in 2001 and demolished to make way for Remus Close. Interview date:26 March… More about ‘Fatal accident on the railway line – Adelle Stapleton’»
Roots in St Vincent – Adelle Stapleton
Adelle was born in St Vincent in 1959 and came to St Albans with her parents when she was three years old. The family lived in Berners Drive and she went to St Peter’s school and then St Julian’s Girls… More about ‘Roots in St Vincent – Adelle Stapleton’»
Born and bred in St Albans – Jennifer Taylor
Jennifer was born in the centre of St Albans, St Peter’s Street, in 1946. Her parents had a ladies fashion shop on the Peahen corner and she went to school in Holywell Hill. She now lives in De Tany Court… More about ‘Born and bred in St Albans – Jennifer Taylor’»
Working for the water board – Brian Welch
Brian worked for the Colne Valley Water Company for 34 years. He lived in one of the company houses at the bottom of Holywell Hill next to the Holywell Pumping Station. Interview date: 31 March 2014. Interviewer: Sandy Norman… More about ‘Working for the water board – Brian Welch’»
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