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)’»
Category: Life and leisure
Lydia Lightfoot of Holywell Hill
Lydia Lightfoot was born in St Albans in 1875. Her father was George Lightfoot born in 1844 in St Albans and christened at St Peter Church. He started out as a labourer to a bricklayer eventually becoming a builder in later… More about ‘Lydia Lightfoot of Holywell Hill’»
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. Membership was by subscription and in its heyday it attracted over 2,000 members. It… More about ‘Cottonmill Club’»
St Stephen’s 1851 – 1911
The following description of the people who lived in the area around St Stephen’s Church is derived from the census returns from 1851 to 1911. Watling Street is not mentioned. People who lived in that area were just living in… More about ‘St Stephen’s 1851 – 1911′»
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’»
Waterworks Pumping Station Holywell Hill
The pumping station was opposite the Duke of Marlborough pub in Holywell Hill. The photograph was taken by Ivor Pratt somewhere in the grounds of the pumping station in the mid 1950s. Pictured on the right is Bob Christopher who… More about ‘Waterworks Pumping Station Holywell Hill’»
Sopwell in the ‘olden days’ Fred Edwards and Sandy Norman
Fred and Sandy went along to St Peter’s School to be interviewed by the younger pupils. Although the questions are very basic the answers give an insight into what Fred and Sandy like about Sopwell. Interview date: 10 May 2014.… More about ‘Sopwell in the ‘olden days’ Fred Edwards and Sandy Norman’»
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’»
Wartime memories – John Church
John talks mainly about all the good food they had to eat during the war as his father had a big plot of land to grow produce and keep chickens and rabbits. He also remembers Italian prisoners of war who worked… More about ‘Wartime 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’»
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