Tony Prior lived opposite the shops in Abbots Avenue West. He was a leader of the 19th St Albans Scout troop which used to meet in a wooden hut behind the shops until the took back the land and built… More about ’19th St Albans Scouts – Tony Prior’»
Category: Oral history
Living in Abbots Avenue West – Tony Prior
Frederick Anthony Prior, known as Tony, moved into the Sopwell area in 1958. He lived in Abbots Avenue West, opposite the shops. He saw the flats above the shops being built and also the King Offa pub. He talks about… More about ‘Living in Abbots Avenue West – Tony Prior’»
Pinnock family memories – Roy Pinnock
Roy Pinnock whose family had watercress beds in Riverside Road and Park Street, tells some stories about his father, Doug Pinnock. Doug was one of twelve children: six sons and six daughters and they lived in a two bedroom house… More about ‘Pinnock family memories – Roy Pinnock’»
Sinking a borehole – Roy Pinnock
Watercress is grown in running water from springs. At Riverside Road, the Pinnock family had to sink boreholes in the lake to get spring water for the cress to grow in. Roy Pinnock describes the process. Interview date: 4 April… More about ‘Sinking a borehole – Roy Pinnock’»
Watercress industry in Park Street – Roy Pinnock
The Pinnock family had a smallholding and also grew watercress in Burydell Lane Park Street. Unlike the beds in Riverside Road, these were purpose built using concrete walkways. Roy Pinnock talks more about the business which wasstarted by his grandfather.… More about ‘Watercress industry in Park Street – Roy Pinnock’»
Watercress industry in Sopwell – Roy Pinnock
Roy Pinnock born in 1933, belongs to one of the two families who grew watercress in Sopwell: the Pinnocks and the Lees.. Roy describes the watercress industry: how the watercress was grown in Riverside Road, where the Watercress Wildlife Association… More about ‘Watercress industry in Sopwell – Roy Pinnock’»
Pearce’s scrap yard – John Buckingham
The St Albans firm, Pearce Recycling, started off as scrap merchants with several yards throughout the city. One of these yards was in front of the ruins of Sir Richard Lee‘s Tudor house in Cottonmill Lane. John Buckingham remembers playing… More about ‘Pearce’s scrap yard – 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’»
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