Velma Richards came to St Albans in 1964. Her family came from St Kitts in the Caribbean and her great granddad fought in World War II. Her daughter, Jasmine, was shocked when she found out how black people were treated… More about ‘Memories of racism – Velma Richards’»
Gloria’s ancestors worked in the straw plaiting industry and she describes how they used to plait straw for the making of straw boaters while walking to St Albans market from Welham Green.It emancipated these women from having to do domestic… More about ‘Women and the straw plaiting industry – Gloria Morris’»
Gloria attended Priory Park and St Peters schools in Old London Road. She describes the facilities (outside toilets), school uniform, the teachers and speaks of some of her friends who were from Jewish families who had recently migrated to St… More about ‘School memories – Gloria Morris’»
There was a gun emplacement with a searchlight in Sopwell. It was situated in the fields before the estate was built approximately where Nuns Lane meets Cottonmill Lane. Gloria Morris remembers her mother pointing it out to her when they… More about ‘World War II searchlight – Gloria Morris’»
In the 1930s and 1940s, children were allowed to wander around freely. Everyone looked after each other especially during the war years when the men were away Gloria has memories of cycling down the winding lane that was Cottonmill Lane… More about ‘More childhood memories – Gloria Morris’»
Gloria was born in the 1930s. She lived in Bardwell Road until her family moved to Nuns Lane after the war. She has many memories of cycling to Park Street and describes the countryside and wildlife. She remembers the steam… More about ‘Childhood memories – Gloria Morris’»
Gloria Morris has many vivid memories of what life was like on the home front during World war II. She remembers her mother having to do war work at Ryders’ Seed merchants; gas masks; the different kinds of ration books;… More about ‘Childhood memories of living in the war years – Gloria Morris’»
During the Second World War, many families had to take in soldiers to live with them. Gloria Morris remembers her mother having to do this. She also remembers seeing German prisoners of war in St Albans and realising that there… More about ‘World War 2 soldiers – Gloria Morris’»
The original of this estate plan of the manor of Sopwell is in the Hertfordshire Archives and Library Services (HALS) in County Hall. The plan is dated 1666. Note that the building called Sopwell House in the bottom right hand… More about ‘The manor of Sopwell’»
Noel Godman lived in St Julians Road as a child and recalls playing in the Cottonmill Lane area. He has vivid memories of the gasworks and of the trains coming in and out from the Abbey station and the shunting… More about ‘Childhood memories – Noel Godman’»
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