The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Harpenden

Harpenden photos

Displaying the first of 19 old photos of Harpenden.   View all Harpenden photos

19
View all 19 photos of Harpenden

Harpenden maps

Historic maps of Harpenden and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Harpenden maps

Harpenden area books

Displaying 1 of 8 books about Harpenden and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Harpenden

Harpenden memories
Read and share Harpenden memories

Displaying a selection of personal memories of Harpenden.
Add your memory of Harpenden or of a photo of Harpenden.

 

Silver Cup Pond

The Pond on The Common c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

This was filled in due to a scare of polio in the early 1960s. It was called the Silver Cup pond because it was opposite the pub of the same name.

Silver Cup Pond, Harpenden, Herts.

The Pond on The Common c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Having grown up in Harpenden I remember The Silver Cup Pond very well. Firstly, to answer the question posed, I'm sure that the pond was named after the pub that stands on the main road not far away, which in my time was the A6, in it's day the fore-runner of the M1. It is possible that the silver cup itself could have been a horse racing prize from the days when this sport could be seen taking place on the common. As well as the pond, there was also a sandpit nearby where we used to play. It was hexagonal, made of concrete, and had a short pillar in the middle, great for banging your head on! Having done the shopping, and after leaving Mary Ellen's tea rooms, where the ladies would sit drinking tea or coffee in their hats, our way home to Southdown took us not only past that pond, and the sandpit, but also the water regulating lagoons. These, our mothers assured, us were most dangerous,... Read more

The Pond on The Common

The Pond on The Common c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

This pond used to be known as The Silver Cup Pond but I do not know where the name originated. Here was where children would sail toy boats or paddle. I have not yet come across a current photo or reference to this pond so I am wondering if it has survived health and safety strangulation. Would love to hear more about it.

Hertfordshire memories

Drinking at Childwickbury

My father, Dennis Chappin, who was born in 1924, frequently refers to a pub in Childwickbury that he frequented in his youth. He seems to remember leaving Harpenden town centre to have a late drink at this mystery pub as it had later licencing hours. I live at Shafford Cottages, part of the Childwickbury estate, but have yet to come across anyone who knows about this pub. There seems to be no signs of any conversion of a property up on the Green, so I wonder if anyone can recall exactly where this pub was? Further investigation on Google throws up a reference to the 'One Bell Public House on Childwick Green' in the 1906 sales prospectus of the Childwickbury Estate. So, a pub was there in 1906, but no mention of it when the estate was re-sold in 1978. When did it close, and where exactly was it situated on the Green? Can anyone help?

How Things Don't Change!

High Street c1961
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Oh my goodness.  I was bought up in Wheathampstead and I can still see it now, the newsagents on the High Street and the then "Old fashioned" chemist called Busbys at the end!

Wheathampstead

We moved to Delaport Farm , on the edge of the golf course, in or around 1958 til 1965 to move to a larger farm in Somerset. At that time my mother would fill her car up with 4 gallons of petrol for £1.00. Simons was the butcher, Auld was the baker & Titmuus had a grain depot in the village, Mr. Amos had the shoe shop. The Maltings was a diners club run by Betty & Mac. Such good memories.

Who Remembers The Goodger Family From Shoreditch London

My Mum Ivy Goodger was Born at 43 Fish street in 1942 Along with her Twin sister Patrica
My Grandparents Rose & Alf Goodger moved from Shoreditch London to Redbourn during world war two. And they moved back to Shoreditch after 1944/45, does anyone have any memorys of The Goodger Family, (They were a big family 13 children) My Mum still has cousins living there,
Has any one got any Photos of the Goodger Family
Please contact me at dannyallen25@aol.com
many Thanks
Danny

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.