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Bengeo
Bengeo maps
Historic maps of Bengeo and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Bengeo maps
Bengeo area books
Displaying 1 of 8 books about Bengeo and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Bengeo
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Bengeo.
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Conrad And Co
My first employment was in the year 1945 when I started work at Conrad and company in Bengeo. I Cycled from Newgate Street Village every day. Conrad was a printing firm, and my first job was on a Cropper Charlton Press printing business cards and letterheads. The location of the firm was in the yard of a pub, I believe it was called the Greyhound. Next to the yard was a tobacconist shop run by a Mr ?. I stayed there until I was called up for National Service in 1949. Colin Maryan.
Hertfordshire memories
Goldings
Thousands of teenage boys would have spent their formative years at William Baker Technical School which was housed in the historic mansion of Goldings in the village of Waterford. In 1922 around 240 boys and staff marched from Stepney Causeway where Barnodos had their training workshops to the station where they travelled by train to Hertford. Forming up behind their band they marched past the newly errected war memorial laying a wreath in memory of Barnodo Boys who had lost their lives in the Great War, and onto their new home at Goldings in Waterford. Within the 110 acres a number of good sporting facilities were created for football and rugby. The boys initially constructed a swimming pool from the damned river, and later dug an outdoor pool in the lower meadow. Each year the ball-boys for Wimbledon were selected and trained by the school chaplin, and the boys were able to build tennis... Read more
Help
I'm trying to find out about the chemist in Fore Street, it is called Sheriffs now, but I was told it used to be an inn and I would like to know the name of it, and any more info on the building. Thank you.
Evacuation During WW2
I was a student at the Norwood Technical Institute which was evacuated to Coles Hill House, Westmill. The house itself belonged to a military officer, and I guess it was taken over for evacuees. At the time I was there, there were 48 girls, a Head mistress, and I think about 4 teachers, a Matron and an Assistant Matron. Being during the war, we were all allocated our rations and the schooling consisted of our lessons, which were - cookery, our meals, housework, general upkeep of the house, gardening, growing vegetables, etc. We also kept chickens, rabbits and a goat (for milk) This experience was invaluable in later life as the staff were quite strict that everything should be done "properly". I understand that the N.T.A. is no longer in existence, now called South London College. I often think of those days and the companionship of the other students. Each year we used to host a Garden Party for the... Read more
Panshangar
I would like to contact anyone who has worked or lived in Panshangar from 1940 onwards. I am compiling a book and would love to hear from anyone who knows what the outbuildings behind what is now the Flying School cafe were used for. Do you know? Did you work or live there? Please also let me know if you have any photos from the times. Were you there in the war? Please leave me a message and I will ensure you go in my book! Thanks Catherine
My First Time on A Plane
My family moved to WGC when I was 3, which means as I was born in 1955 made it 1958. I remember living in Howlands,Thistle Grove and Haldens, but one of my most vivid memories as a child (probably about 6 or 8 years old) was visiting my grandad on the Panshanger building site. He was a brick layer and my dad was there also, he was a crane driver. My friends and I would spend time also playing in a disused aircraft on the old aerodrome. I remember it as a DC2, probably wrong on the type of plane but thats what it reminds me of. I also remember a reservoir by the estate, it was in a hollow. I shall return to this site regularly as it's bringing back many memories.
Leaving Ware Grammar School
My elder sister and I both went to Ware Grammar School. My sister Christine Beattie from 1953 to 1956 and me, Catherine (Rena) Beattie from 1955 to 1956. We travelled from Hertford by bus to school and back. We left the school in July 1956 to travel with the rest of the family as migrants to Australia.
I'll never forget the last day at Ware Grammar. My sister and I were called up by the Headmistress in front of the student body to be wished 'Good Luck in Australia.'
My sister Christine joined the Australian Army and trained as a cook, but obtained an honourable discharge to become a Salvation Army Officer. I became a Medical Laboratory Technician but in my late forties became an Industrial officer with a Union. We both look back with fondness on our time at Ware Grammar.
