Marcus Richard Southwell is well-known for establishing the vicarage in Watling Street adjacent to the church. The funding for this came from a Mrs Martha Shippery of Watford who, in 1736, set up a deed to give £7pa to the… More about ‘Some interesting Vicars of St Stephen’s’»
Category: Life and leisure
Memories of Glebe House
Glebe House, 5 Watling Street was the home of Peter Gardner (1925-98) and his wife Barbara who lived there with their two sons, Andrew and Timothy from 1956 until 1999. His granddaughter, Louisa Pauley, nee Gardner has fond memories of… More about ‘Memories of Glebe House’»
Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre
Many older residents will remember the old Cottonmill Club off Cottonmill Lane which was opened in 1971 but closed in 1994. Since then there has just been the uninspiring prefabricated building – the Marlborough Pavilion – used mainly for clubs… More about ‘Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre’»
The Cedar tree
The magnificent cedar tree in St Stephen’s field on the edge of the churchyard was rumoured to have been around at the time when Henry VIII was courting Anne Boleyn. In 1921 it was thought to be the largest cedar… More about ‘The Cedar tree’»
Hunting in Sopwell
In medieval times Sopwell was part of a wood called Eywood. As well as providing timber and fuel the woods were also used for hunting – at that time mainly deer. The Abbey monks and the nuns from Sopwell Priory… More about ‘Hunting in Sopwell’»
Memories of Mandeville School by Peter Rodford
I was at Mandeville from 1954 to 1960, and have very much enjoyed reading the reminiscences of Kelvin Callow, James Watkins, Catherine Mackenzie Davies and others. My brother Brian was there from 1955 to 1961, and my sister Jacky from… More about ‘Memories of Mandeville School by Peter Rodford’»
Sopwell Residents Association Newsletter Archive
Below are links to all the SRA newsletters, from when the association started back in 2003 to the present.… More about ‘Sopwell Residents Association Newsletter Archive’»
Sportsman’s Hall and Priory Park School- Frances Gordon
Frances Gordon (nee Parsons) shares her memories of living in one of the two cottages, known as Sportsman’s Hall. Sportsman’s Hall was situated on the corner of Cottonmill Lane and Prospect Road. Frances born 1934 was evacuated from the East End… More about ‘Sportsman’s Hall and Priory Park School- Frances Gordon’»
Memories of the 19th cub scouts – Kelvin Callow
I remember that when I joined the cubs my mum had to take me to the scout hut in Waverly Road to buy my uniform. Akela was Derek Cooper who had a motorbike and lived in Redbourn. I can remember… More about ‘Memories of the 19th cub scouts – Kelvin Callow’»
Growing up on the Cottonmill Estate – Kelvin Callow
Kelvin Callow, born in 1946, has written up his memories of living on the Cottonmill Estate and kindly agreed to share them on the website. “When I was very young I lived with my parents at my Gran’s house in Cottonmill… More about ‘Growing up on the Cottonmill Estate – Kelvin Callow’»
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