Are there are any records of evacuees and where they stayed between 1943 and 1945 for Hogg End Farm, Redbourn? I think from my mothers’ recounting that as a very young child I lived there and am curious to check.
Thank you
After retiring in 1946, (when I came on the scene) my Grandparents purchased a large detached house called “Beechfield” (plus two cottages) all for the sum of £4000. It was situated near the bend just across from “Cumberland House”. I was told in my junior years that Lady Wise lived there. I think later it was an Electricity companies building? My mother and I used to catch the 369 double decker from St. Albans where we lived to visit the grandparents and “one and a half to the Saracens Head please” was told to the conductor. We then walked up to Dr Totten`s passage which took us to the common. Beechfield was to me as small boy a wonderful play area with a large front and rear garden plus a meadow at the top end with a right of way into Library lane accessible with a tractor in order to prepare an area for my Grandfathers allotment. He kept a Goat , some geese and chickens and subsequently vegetables were grown. I remember Mr Harborough had a house in Library Lane next to Grandfather`s right of way. With no connection to a water supply at that time, Beechfield had a pump in the kitchen witch was used to fill a large tank in the top of the house. It was my job to turn the pump off when water came out of the overflow and splashed down the roof! I remember back then that houses were built in the lane that went round and joined to Library Lane. He would sit me in his wheelbarrow and take me down to Redbourn station to collect a large sack of Goose and chicken food and to pay his Coal bill. I can remember seeing a steam locomotive heading towards Hemel Hempstead start off from the station. It all seems a long time ago and I have not been back to Redbourn since the mid 50`s
I moved to Redbourne, aged about 7 years in 1955, I attended Rebourne junior school on the common.
I played with a friend in Nicholls Farm, we made tree houses, and camps, rolled around and flattened the horses grass, and scrumped apples from the apple shed,
Her father was the farmer or a farm worker, and would scold us for building camps,
I lived in Tassell Hall, moved away to Watford to go to secondary school in 1960.
Vivid, happy memories,
I grew up in Luton before emigrating to Canada in 1982, however my closest family has remained in Redbourn ever since and i now consider Redbourn to be my “home away from home” to come and vist my aunti Cas and cousin Scott as often as i can. As i write this, i will be travelling back to Redbourn next week to attend my cousin Scotts wedding at Luton Hoo with his beautiful new bride Clare.
Redbourn will forever be in my heart.
Simon
We used to live in the High Street, our house was a former ale house called “The Lion and the Lamb”, across the road from the Saracens. The house was Grade 2 Listed, about 400 years old. We still think of it as our real home.
I have been tracing my husband’s ( Michael Peacock) ancestors , his 4th Great Grandparents were Emanuel Peacock 1798 – ? and his wife Ruth Eames 1738 – 1823. I would love to get more information about their lives and who their parents were. If anyone could point me in the right direction?
Hi, I’m looking for information on publicans for what used to be The Saracens Head 19 The High Street Redbourn. On a relatives birth certificate it shows George Wicks was a ‘licensed Victualler’ there in 1893.
Can anyone please advise of how I can get this confirmed, and for how long he was there for?
Many thanks for your time.
Kind regards
Shirley
I have only just stumbled across this web site so you have probably already got the information you are seeking but in case you haven’t Redbourn Village Museum (located next to the Cricketers on Redbourn Common) has a publication written by Ron Such which shows all the historical publicans in the village pubs. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays 2 – 5pm
I have just checked the Inns and Public Houses of Redbourn by Ron Such. There is a mention of a George Wicker Publican 1893 but it does not say in which pub he was a publican. By 1770 the owner was Thomas Clutterbuck, a brewer of Stanmore, Middx. The Clutterbuck family continued to own the inn until 12th December 1905 when it was purchased by Benjamin Bennett who traded as Bennett’s Brewery of Dunstable
Hi – I was looking at the photos of the old church hall in Church End. This was the home of Church End playgroup in the late sixties and seventies. My mum (Betty Coles) ran the play group for many years after about 1975 ish until she got ill and died in 1982. We lived at 36 Church End and I went to the play group before going to infants school. My mum ran the group in the later stages with Hilary Miroy who also lived in Church End . I’m unsure when it closed though – I know Hilary continued to run it, at least for a while, after mum died.
On a side note I’m starting a One Place Study of Church End and would be happy to collaborate/share any work.
Andrew – I grew up in the shop in Church End. Any help I can give? I do have various family photos etc and some memories of the people that lived nearby. Good luck with your project. John
Hi John
Sorry for the late reply. We lived opposite the shop in no.36 (one of the set back semi’s) prior to the Parkinson’s buying the property (I can’t remember what year it closed) – my mum and dad moved there in 1964 and were there until my dad moved away in 1986. Any photos/memories gladly received. You should be able to see my email?
Hi Andrew, my mother Keithel White also ran and I think may be set up the playgroup, sadlymy parents are no longer with us so I can’t check. I remember your mum very fondly. We used to be neighbours and I have some lovely old photos of Church End which I am happy to share, including one of you and me (very young) on top of a horse, which may have been your sisters? All the best.
Having come from Redbourn l really enjoy catching up with all the local chat, l also really like the history of the village. I went to school in the village from primary to secondary, I’m now not far away l have a Pub in Studham.Redburn through and through. Regards Garry
Hi Garry,
I’ve been looking at photos and any info on Redbourn secondary school.
I believe it closed around 1981 but I was wondering who the last head was (I think Pritchard, and left under a cloud?)
Best regards
Garry
I have not lived in Redbourn since 1972, when I left at the age of 16. But there are errors in dates to do with the schools. The old boys school was still in use until 1967, but I attended this school in 1963, before moving to the junior school in Long Cutt in 1964, and onto the secondry-modern in 1967. I left Redbourn in 1972 for career in horticulture/agriculture in Norfolk. Still there.
In the comments on 90 and 92 High Street it is stated that they were originally one building. This is not correct. We have lived in 90 for nearly 30 years and before that the Peacock family owned it. John Fisher’s family have owned 92 for many many years as a separate house. Out of interest, we think 90 was added to 88 sometime in the past as we have their chimney breast in our dining room!
David Lawlor
Are there are any records of evacuees and where they stayed between 1943 and 1945 for Hogg End Farm, Redbourn? I think from my mothers’ recounting that as a very young child I lived there and am curious to check.
Thank you
Peter Davis
After retiring in 1946, (when I came on the scene) my Grandparents purchased a large detached house called “Beechfield” (plus two cottages) all for the sum of £4000. It was situated near the bend just across from “Cumberland House”. I was told in my junior years that Lady Wise lived there. I think later it was an Electricity companies building? My mother and I used to catch the 369 double decker from St. Albans where we lived to visit the grandparents and “one and a half to the Saracens Head please” was told to the conductor. We then walked up to Dr Totten`s passage which took us to the common. Beechfield was to me as small boy a wonderful play area with a large front and rear garden plus a meadow at the top end with a right of way into Library lane accessible with a tractor in order to prepare an area for my Grandfathers allotment. He kept a Goat , some geese and chickens and subsequently vegetables were grown. I remember Mr Harborough had a house in Library Lane next to Grandfather`s right of way. With no connection to a water supply at that time, Beechfield had a pump in the kitchen witch was used to fill a large tank in the top of the house. It was my job to turn the pump off when water came out of the overflow and splashed down the roof! I remember back then that houses were built in the lane that went round and joined to Library Lane. He would sit me in his wheelbarrow and take me down to Redbourn station to collect a large sack of Goose and chicken food and to pay his Coal bill. I can remember seeing a steam locomotive heading towards Hemel Hempstead start off from the station. It all seems a long time ago and I have not been back to Redbourn since the mid 50`s
Eileen nee Gamble
I moved to Redbourne, aged about 7 years in 1955, I attended Rebourne junior school on the common.
I played with a friend in Nicholls Farm, we made tree houses, and camps, rolled around and flattened the horses grass, and scrumped apples from the apple shed,
Her father was the farmer or a farm worker, and would scold us for building camps,
I lived in Tassell Hall, moved away to Watford to go to secondary school in 1960.
Vivid, happy memories,
Simon Turner
I grew up in Luton before emigrating to Canada in 1982, however my closest family has remained in Redbourn ever since and i now consider Redbourn to be my “home away from home” to come and vist my aunti Cas and cousin Scott as often as i can. As i write this, i will be travelling back to Redbourn next week to attend my cousin Scotts wedding at Luton Hoo with his beautiful new bride Clare.
Redbourn will forever be in my heart.
Simon
R Jeffs
We used to live in the High Street, our house was a former ale house called “The Lion and the Lamb”, across the road from the Saracens. The house was Grade 2 Listed, about 400 years old. We still think of it as our real home.
Linda Peacock
I have been tracing my husband’s ( Michael Peacock) ancestors , his 4th Great Grandparents were Emanuel Peacock 1798 – ? and his wife Ruth Eames 1738 – 1823. I would love to get more information about their lives and who their parents were. If anyone could point me in the right direction?
Shirley Saunders
Hi, I’m looking for information on publicans for what used to be The Saracens Head 19 The High Street Redbourn. On a relatives birth certificate it shows George Wicks was a ‘licensed Victualler’ there in 1893.
Can anyone please advise of how I can get this confirmed, and for how long he was there for?
Many thanks for your time.
Kind regards
Shirley
diane whiskin
I have only just stumbled across this web site so you have probably already got the information you are seeking but in case you haven’t Redbourn Village Museum (located next to the Cricketers on Redbourn Common) has a publication written by Ron Such which shows all the historical publicans in the village pubs. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays 2 – 5pm
diane whiskin
I have just checked the Inns and Public Houses of Redbourn by Ron Such. There is a mention of a George Wicker Publican 1893 but it does not say in which pub he was a publican. By 1770 the owner was Thomas Clutterbuck, a brewer of Stanmore, Middx. The Clutterbuck family continued to own the inn until 12th December 1905 when it was purchased by Benjamin Bennett who traded as Bennett’s Brewery of Dunstable
Andrew Coles
Hi – I was looking at the photos of the old church hall in Church End. This was the home of Church End playgroup in the late sixties and seventies. My mum (Betty Coles) ran the play group for many years after about 1975 ish until she got ill and died in 1982. We lived at 36 Church End and I went to the play group before going to infants school. My mum ran the group in the later stages with Hilary Miroy who also lived in Church End . I’m unsure when it closed though – I know Hilary continued to run it, at least for a while, after mum died.
On a side note I’m starting a One Place Study of Church End and would be happy to collaborate/share any work.
John Gregory
Andrew – I grew up in the shop in Church End. Any help I can give? I do have various family photos etc and some memories of the people that lived nearby. Good luck with your project. John
Andrew Coles
Hi John
Sorry for the late reply. We lived opposite the shop in no.36 (one of the set back semi’s) prior to the Parkinson’s buying the property (I can’t remember what year it closed) – my mum and dad moved there in 1964 and were there until my dad moved away in 1986. Any photos/memories gladly received. You should be able to see my email?
Romyla White
Hi Andrew, my mother Keithel White also ran and I think may be set up the playgroup, sadlymy parents are no longer with us so I can’t check. I remember your mum very fondly. We used to be neighbours and I have some lovely old photos of Church End which I am happy to share, including one of you and me (very young) on top of a horse, which may have been your sisters? All the best.
Richard Clayton
Remember the village forge
Garry Ellis
Having come from Redbourn l really enjoy catching up with all the local chat, l also really like the history of the village. I went to school in the village from primary to secondary, I’m now not far away l have a Pub in Studham.Redburn through and through. Regards Garry
Geoff Warren
Hi Garry, been a long time, how are keeping? Ang and I are good and we now live in Northants. Be good to here from you.
Garry O’Dell
Hi Garry,
I’ve been looking at photos and any info on Redbourn secondary school.
I believe it closed around 1981 but I was wondering who the last head was (I think Pritchard, and left under a cloud?)
Best regards
Garry
Dennis Leech
I have not lived in Redbourn since 1972, when I left at the age of 16. But there are errors in dates to do with the schools. The old boys school was still in use until 1967, but I attended this school in 1963, before moving to the junior school in Long Cutt in 1964, and onto the secondry-modern in 1967. I left Redbourn in 1972 for career in horticulture/agriculture in Norfolk. Still there.
David Forbes
In the comments on 90 and 92 High Street it is stated that they were originally one building. This is not correct. We have lived in 90 for nearly 30 years and before that the Peacock family owned it. John Fisher’s family have owned 92 for many many years as a separate house. Out of interest, we think 90 was added to 88 sometime in the past as we have their chimney breast in our dining room!