Anthony Hart-Synnot was appointed vicar of St Stephen’s church in Watling Street in 1955. He succeeded Canon Harding. Born in 1917 of a very distinguished family, Anthony was a very colourful character, some would say eccentric, and many people have fond memories of him. He was very outspoken and would not hesitate to put his thoughts in the parish magazine for which he was often hauled over the coals. He used to deliver the magazines himself and would often stop for refreshments. Residents say that he would stop their vehicles to obtain lifts and sometimes would take collections on buses. He was fond of football and encouraging the young to play. May people remember him wearing football boots while performing marriage ceremonies in order to be ready for football practice afterwards. He ran a boys club in the church and there were many complaints about the boys’ unruly behaviour. The youths were allowed to get up to mischief. Some recall that “some of the lads hung the vicar. They tied a rope round his middle and hauled him up on a beam. All his small change fell from his cassock, much to everyone’s delight.” Above all he was a very generous man living by Christian principles. He would often give away money and possessions to the poor and needy, especially homeless youths. The Rev used to give the lads half a crown most weeks. Many of these youths took advantage of his generosity and moved into the vicarage. They did so much damage that the vicarage had to be demolished and camped in the vestry room in the church. In December 1974, the Rev. Hart-Synnot took his own life and was found dead in the vestry room. His funeral was very well attended and reported in the local press.
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- Rev. Anthony Hart-Synnot
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- Hart-Synnot with some of the youths
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- Following the destruction of the vicarage, Hart-Synnot slept in the vestry
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- Page one of funeral address by the Bishop of St Albans, the Right Rev. Robert Runcie
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- Page two of funeral address by Bishop of St Albans the Right Rev. Robert Runcie
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- Press cutting
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- Press cutting
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The Rev Hat-Synott christened me and was the family priest as he was the priest for many Christians in St Albans, long may his memory last.
I was a regular attended at St Stephens as my father was Church Warden. My mother helped at the boys club. I remember church fetes at the vicarage when I was a brownie.
Happy times. The harvest suppers were really spurn occasions.
I Think Rev Hart submit was around in in 1952 what was his title I do not know but he christened me in 1951/52 when I was in my teens Alan Roe 135 watling St
As teenagers, we were very grateful to Rev. Hart-Synnot for renting out the Cavalier Hall to us. Many wild parties and school popular music combos’ concerts were held there. I seem to recall that the unconnected other two phases of the mains were tapped into (the Electricity Board seals being remade afterwards) to give a dangerous lot of free power for the amps and lights.
I first met Anthony Hart- Synnot aged ten at the Cavialier Hall in 1955. I recall him asking if I’d be interested in joining the choir. My brother Rupert joined in 1958. In the mid to late sixties I often saw Anthony at the top of Holywell Hill in full cassock clutching his pile of monthly parish magazines in one hand & thumbing a lift with the other. I recall giving him a lift on the odd occasion. On returning on the double decker bus from my prep school in the late 50’s he would often board the 321/351 at the King Harry with a bunch of very boisterous St.Julien school kids some of them demanding he help pay their fares. “Hey, gov got e sixpence”? Being generous he usually relented.
. When eventually he was evicted from the vicarage he lodged with various residents and was often seen hitching along the Watford road. My parents invited him for New Year in 1969. At the time we had two Czechoslovakian ladies staying and Anthony recalled his visit to Prague in the 30’s with his parents. They were very impressed with his knowledge of their country infamously invaded by Russia in August 1968. I know at some point he was exposed in the national press while operating the boys club which the press described as “Fagins Den” I also recall Anthony and my grandmother setting off in her morris minor to play bridge. He was often accompanied by two other excentrics one was Jean an ex. nurse and the other John who went from door to door selling his Betterware products. I still have a small fire extinguisher I purchased from him in 1960. Soon after Hart-Synnot arrived at St.Stephens I bought a church raffle ticket & won 1st.prize, a canteen of superb Sheffield cutlery some of which I still use. I must have kept it unopened for almost 20yrs.and it was not until I moved to France in 1981 that I actually used it.
Anthony Hart-Syonnot despite his eccentricity (but that was his charm),was certainly an extremely generous, knowledgable & colourful character. Marl Walker lived at 56,Watford road. 1945- 1971
What wonderful memories of the man! Many thanks for sharing.