Category: Timeline

Hunting in Sopwell

In Cottonmill Lane opposite the Nunnery ruins, where Old Sopwell Gardens is today, there used to be stables and kennels for foxhounds and many residents remember seeing the hunt leave from there.  Most of the land was owned by Lord Verulam.… 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’»

Memories of Mandeville School – Kelvin Callow

Kelvin Callow has kindly written up his memories of living on the Cottonmill Estate and kindly agreed to share them on the website. He was born in 1946. Here are his memories of Mandeville School. He lived in Nuns Lane.… More about ‘Memories of Mandeville School – Kelvin Callow’»

Cottonmill area – Margaret Brown

Margaret Brown was a child when she lived in Boleyn Drive on the Mentmore estate (built 1938-9) and knew the area well. She talks about how the shape of Cottonmill Lane changed after the war when Berners Drive and Priory Walk… More about ‘Cottonmill area – Margaret Brown’»

St Julian’s Estate – Margaret Brown

Margaret recalls that after building the Cottonmill Estate, St Julian’s was built. She said that there was no access to the estate other than by foot because of the cattle bridge in what is now Abbots Avenue. Over the cattle… More about ‘St Julian’s Estate – Margaret Brown’»

Shops and deliveries – Margaret Brown

Once there were four shops in Cottonmill Lane built when the Mentmore estate was constructed in 1938-9, two either side. Margaret shares her memories of them. She also recalls the delivery vans that called round selling all sorts of goods… More about ‘Shops and deliveries – Margaret Brown’»