In December 1948, a man was found murdered just inside the allotments opposite the ruins in Cottonmill Lane. The man was Steven Varley, a 52 year old who worked as a shop steward at de Havilland’s at Hatfield. The full… More about ‘Murder in the allotments’»
Posts Tagged: Cottonmill Lane
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’»
Cottonmill swimming baths
The open-air swimming baths in Cottonmill Lane were opened on 29 July 1905 on the site of the old cotton mill. However, bathing in the river took place long before the baths were built. There was a bathing facility established… More about ‘Cottonmill swimming baths’»
A portrait of Prospect Road in 1911
Prospect Road first appears in the 1871 census so some of the houses in the road must have been built in the late 1860s and early 1870s. It was originally a cul de sac and ended before St Julians Road.… More about ‘A portrait of Prospect Road in 1911’»
Childhood memories – John Church
John recalls how he loved to go swimming in the Cottonmill Swimming Baths. He has fond memories of playing games, especially knock down ginger, in Pageant Road where he lived. He also talks about the slaughter house in Dolphin Yard. He… More about ‘Childhood memories – John Church’»
Schooldays – John Church
John was one of several people interviewed by the the pupils of St Peter’s School. Here he is telling them what school was like in his day: how he was often naughty and kept in after school; and how he was… More about ‘Schooldays – John Church’»
Saturday morning pictures – Mike Titchiner
Mike recalls going to the pictures at the Odeon on Saturday mornings. He describes his walk there and back, where he bought his sweets and what was on. Interview date: 12 May 2014. Interviewer: Sandy Norman… More about ‘Saturday morning pictures – Mike Titchiner’»
Living in De Tany Court – Jennifer Taylor
De Tany Court was the housing development built on what was the St Albans school playing field off Belmont Hill. Jennifer and her husband, Rick, moved there from Grange Street via King Harry Lane. She shares her love of living… More about ‘Living in De Tany Court – Jennifer Taylor’»
Wartime memories of living in Tavistock Avenue
Val Goodyear-Burrow was born in 1938. She lived at 79 Tavistock Avenue during the war years and can recall specific memories of wartime: shelters, blackouts, gas masks and air-raid sirens. She also remembers watching the gliders coming from the Handley… More about ‘Wartime memories of living in Tavistock Avenue’»
Childhood play – Evelyn Roberts
As a child, Evelyn Roberts lived in Nuns Lane. She remembers playing in Cottonmill Lane and watching the houses being built; fishing in the river at New Barnes and going for cycle rides. Interview date: 3 October 2013. Interviewer: Elizabeth… More about ‘Childhood play – Evelyn Roberts’»
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