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’»
Category: 1980s
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’»
Hatfield – St Albans Railway (Alban Way)
The Great Northern Railway (GNR) line from St Albans to Hatfield was opened on 16th October 1865 but there had been plans to construct this branch line much earlier than that. Local landowners were encouraged to form an independent company… More about ‘Hatfield – St Albans Railway (Alban Way)’»
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. This was the original club. Membership was by subscription and in its heyday it… More about ‘Cottonmill Club’»
Living in Cottonmill Lane – Adelle Stapleton
Adelle and he husband lived in Cottonmill Lane after they got married. They had their wedding reception in the Cottonmill Club and their photographs taken in the Nunnery Open Space. She has fond memories of her neighbours who gave her some advice… More about ‘Living in Cottonmill Lane – Adelle Stapleton’»
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’»
Rescuing the Holy Well – Brian Welch
In the 1980s, the playing field land south of Belmont Hill was set aside for development. There were plans to build a hotel on the site but there was no mention of the Holy Well in the plans. This led… More about ‘Rescuing the Holy Well – Brian Welch’»
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’»
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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