Mercers was a family run marine chronometer manufacturing business. The firm started in 1858 in Clerkenwell London by the founder, Thomas Mercer. Thomas was born in St Helen’s Lancashire in 1822. St Helen’s was said to be the centre of… More about ‘Mercer Chronometers’»
Category: People
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. This was the original club. Membership was by subscription and in its heyday it… More about ‘Cottonmill Club’»
St Stephen’s 1841 – 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 1841 – 1911′»
Eagle lectern at St Stephen’s Church
The brass lectern in the shape of an eagle which is in St Stephen’s Church has an interesting history. The lectern was stolen from Holyrood House by Sir Richard Lee in the 16th century and given to St Stephen’s. It… More about ‘Eagle lectern at St Stephen’s Church’»
St Julian’s
There used to be a farm in Watling Street called St Julian’s Farm The farm buildings were opposite the entrance to Vesta Avenue and can be seen in this photo which was taken in 1939. This land in Watling street originally… More about ‘St Julian’s’»
A portrait of Prospect Road in 1911
Prospect Road first appears in the 1871 census so some of the houses in the road must have been built in the late 1860s and early 1870s. It was originally a cul de sac and ended before St Julians Road.… More about ‘A portrait of Prospect Road in 1911’»
A portrait of Longmire Road in 1911
Longmire Road was the first road to be built on the Priory Park estate. It was certainly occupied in 1900 and it appears in St Albans Street Directory in 1901 and the census. It is believed that Longmire Road is… More about ‘A portrait of Longmire Road in 1911’»
Trainspotting – Mike Titchiner
Mike shares his memories of watching the steam trains go by. As well as watching the local trains, he went as far afield as Watford and London. Interview date: 12 May 2014. Interviewer: Sandy Norman.… More about ‘Trainspotting – Mike Titchiner’»
Caddying at the golf course – Mike Titchiner
Mike Titchiner used to go caddying for the golfers at Verulam Golf course on Saturdays to earn some pocket money. On one memorable occasion he and his mates were asked to caddy for the evangelist Billy Graham and his party who… More about ‘Caddying at the golf course – Mike Titchiner’»
Church Lads Brigade – Mike Titchiner
One of Mike’s friends persuaded him to join the choir which was part of the Church Lads Brigade – even though he couldn’t sing! It was there that got to know the Reverend Hart-Synnot very well. Choir practice was in… More about ‘Church Lads Brigade – Mike Titchiner’»