In January 2024, Jenny Lane a small residential development of seven three-bedroomed properties was officially opened in a naming event by the mayor of St Albans, Councillor Anthony Rowlands. The land on which the houses were built was formerly occupied… More about ‘Jenny Lane’»
Posts Tagged: Leyland Avenue
Early memories of Sopwell – Betty Cox and Winnie Jeffs
Betty Cox was born in Prospect Road in 1931. She and her friend, Winnie Jeffs, born in Fleetville in 1917, talk about what they can recall about the area around Cottonmill Lane. Betty went to St Peter’s school, the carpenter’s… More about ‘Early memories of Sopwell – Betty Cox and Winnie Jeffs’»
A walk down Cottonmill Lane 2 – John Buckingham
John continues his reminiscences of walking down Cottonmill Lane in the 1940s and 1950s. he walks over the river and past the allotments, which were always flooded in the winter. His father had an allotment and would send John to… More about ‘A walk down Cottonmill Lane 2 – John Buckingham’»
The youth club in Leyland Avenue – John Buckingham
John Buckingham recounts the history of the building and the use of the St Albans Boys Club, known as the youth club, behind Leyland Avenue. It was built on an area of land which was used by the local children… More about ‘The youth club in Leyland Avenue – John Buckingham’»
Making shelters – John Buckingham
John and his mates tells of digging holes in the ground and making shelters where they would light fires and cook potatoes. This was in their play area where the Sopwell Youth Club is now. They would cover them with… More about ‘Making shelters – John Buckingham’»
Memories of my father – John Buckingham
John Buckingham’s father was born in Sopwell. When he got married, he lived in Leyland Avenue. He worked in the kennels in Cottonmill Lane, looking after the hounds which were part of the hunt. John’s father rode with the hunt… More about ‘Memories of my father – John Buckingham’»
Bonfire night – John Buckingham
John Buckingham remembers building bonfires in the area of ground near where the Sopwell Youth Club is today. There were many other bonfire sites in the area and there was a rivalry between each group so the heaps used to… More about ‘Bonfire night – John Buckingham’»
Living next to the gasworks and railway lines – John Buckingham
John Buckingham was born in 1943 in Leyland Avenue – right next door to the gasworks. He remembers his father having an allotment next to the railway line and it being bulldozed over; the digging of the cutting up to… More about ‘Living next to the gasworks and railway lines – John Buckingham’»
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