Radlett memories
Here are memories of Radlett and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Radlett or a Radlett photo.
Searching For A Friend
My mother Kathleen Culverhouse was born in Radlett in 1925 . I am trying to trace an old school friend of hers, Betty Watling - who married to become Betty Shearer. Betty had a brother Jimmy Watling. Would anyone remember them or know where they are now? They went to the Radlett Church of England School. I can find no trace of that school now. Thank you.
Radlett Prep
I attended Radlett Prep between 1958 and 1965.
It was located in a converted three story Edwardian house on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Aldenham Grove that has since been converted back to a private residence. Radlett Prep was owned and run by a Mr and Mrs Bishop who lived in a house opposite the school. They both wore black gowns and were fierce educators. I hated Mr Bishop. It was probably mutual. He picked on me, and he probably thought that I wasn’t exactly doing him any favours by being there – except for paying the school fees, that is.
I lived in Elstree and got the 353 bus back and forth. Some kids from Elstree were ferried by their parents; some participated in pooling and some not. We sometimes pooled with Jamie Diamond’s Dad who was a cool film stuntman. Radlett was definitely posher than Elstree. Radlett Prep was in a... Read more
1963 to 1977
My family lived in Goodyers Ave. Dad had #65 built by the next door neighbour who sold us the plot! Best mates were Antony Draper [Oakridge Ave], then Chris Francis [Craighall Ave], then Charlie Thompson [Watling St] and Andrew Brodie [Williams Way]. I went to Colney St Primary School [Mrs Meggat] and then Radlett Prep. School [Geoff Pullen and the Bishops]. After RPS I went to St Columba's in St Albans. My intro to work was milk-rounds and then at WH Smiths with Mr and Mrs Bell [Eddie and Betty!] doing paper rounds. I then worked in the shop on the tills [with Nigel Goodman] during the school holidays. Mr Bell was a formidable boss! Confirmation classes with Andrew Daynes at Christchurch followed by the real deal conducted by Archbishop Robert Runcie. Loved Radlett and still drive through occasionally.
Post-War Years
We lived in The Avenue for 2.5 years just after WW2. I went to the village school, which only had 2 classes, juniors and infants. The rooms were separated by a partition that could be folded back. If I remember correctly, we would walk in crocodile to the church hall for our school lunches. My brother, born in 1942, must have started school during our time here.
Pats Pantry
I also remember Radlett well. The fantastic greengrocers, Drapers and Pats Pantry, which was a traditional cafe serving roast dinnersm afternoon tea, and the cinemam Radletts House of Comfort which is now a synagogue. From 1964 to 1968 I played in the Radlett cricket team Colts and reached the giddy heights of the 2nd Eleven. Like a lot of places Radlett has changed but has still manged to retain a village atmosphere.
The Folly, Radlett
I am trying to find out more about The Folly in Radlett. My great grandfather, Charles Piper, lived there from 1902 - 1924 with his family, running a garden nursery. When he died in 1924, he is buried at the 'parish church, I am not sure whether the family stayed in Radlett.
Any information welcome
The Warren Radlett
Does anyone know of someone who has knowledge of where the Mackay's from the Warren ended up? Or if anyone knew an Icelandic student who stayed with them in 1969? All information greatly appreciated!! Thank you ~Kris
Radlett Park Estate Help
Hello, I am a Radlett Resident and I am desperate for any knowledge you may have of the Radlett Park Estate and its development in the early 1900s. Please call me as soon as you can - 01923 856754. Thanks. Nov/2009
Family History
I was born in Borehamwood but moved to Radlett when I was two weeks old. My father came from Radlett, his name was Peter Cole. His father was Charley Cole who owned the electrical shop in the high street, C&R COLE. My father played for the local football team. He also used to work for his father driving around Radlett doing electrical jobs. There was a time you could walk down the high street and know a lot of people but today it has changed and I think not for the better.
Growing up in Radlett
I was born in the King Street Nursing Home in Watford and spent the first few years of my life with my parents and Grandparents in Radlett on Gills Hill Lane. I went to the Infant School and then the Girl's School at the bottom of Loom Lane. When I was 4, we moved to some prefabs in Phillimore Place (which is now apartment blocks). The family name is Ward. I remember what fun I had swimming up at Aldenham Lodge and playing in the Rec field. What a scare it was walking down Gills Hill Lane at night (Murder Lane) - nobody liked that very much. I used to go to Sunday School at the Congregational Church, shopping at the Co-Op with my mother, the library, the fishmongers (Ted & Ron Humphreys), and the first movie I saw was Peter Pan with my mother (standing room only) at the Radlett cinema. I used to keep my bus money for home from school and spend it at the bakery on... Read more
School Days
I am not quite sure of the year, but I attended Radlett Girls School which was at the bottom of Loom and the A5. I used to walk to and from school, sometimes through the village and up Aldenham Road. I passed shops and old Mr Allen who was a cobbler would be sitting in the window mending shoes and would wave to me. My birth family have lived in Radlett for over a hundred years the surname is Picton and all but one have moved away. I love visiting Radlett as it brings back many memories, like balancing on the tiny wall outside the Post Office and on a Saturday buying a pennies worth of stale cakes from Freestones. They made my wedding cake, after I had been to the library, generally getting a big book about Marmalade the cat. I worked in Olney's the shoe shop on The Terrace from 1966 to 1969 and my boss taught me all I needed to know about shoe fitting. I enjoyed... Read more
Memories of Hertfordshire
Leather Repairs in Butterfly Lane Near Letchmore Heath
I have been a piano accordian player with Whitethorn Morris for almost 30 years and sometimes I need help in getting repairs done! In the summer of 2004 I managed to snap the leather straps of my accordian - not through any accident, just simply the wear and tear of many years music! I found a local man to help me: the replacement straps were made by a local leatherworker craftsman – Gary - on a farm in Butterfly Lane, Elstree.
I am very pleased with both colour and comfort and can recommend him for any bespoke leatherwork or repairs. Just remember to allow enough time as he loves to keep you waiting while he talks! My wife, Elizabeth, and I were there for more than an hour on the first visit, and about two hours when I went to collect the straps – his bill included an accordian lesson from me!
Its a real joy to find such rural crafts are still kept alive... Read more
The Three Horseshoes
What a strange name for a pub! This has been the venue for much morris dancing over a great many years as the Three Horseshoes fronts on to a typically rural English village scene: an odd shaped green, a war memorial and a duck pond.
I have been playing my piano accordian for Whitethorn Morris for almost thirty years and for much of that time our dancers - including my wife Elizabeth - have made merry with music and dancing on the pub forecourt. This year, 2008, we celebrated the dance team's 31st "birthday" with a celebration dance at the Three Horsehoes followed by tea and cakes in the village hall. It was a beautifully warm sunny day at the end of September and great fun. The villagers came out from their cottages to watch, the pub served good beer and fine food, the ducks quacked loudly on the pond and conkers and horse chestnut leaves lay thick on the ground. Lovely memories of a day spent with... Read more
Remembering Shenley
I was born in Newcombe Road, no 52, in 1962. I remember the village shop opposite the White Horse pub, the garden centre and the village pond near the King Will pub. I used to stay a lot at my uncle and auntie's flat in Borehamwood in Leaming Road, their names were Ray and Maureen Atkins. My mum and dad were Betty and John Atkins. I also used to visit Hansens little cafe in the town. I now live in St Neots, Cambs. I always enjoy meeting people from Shenley, met a couple who live in St Neots, always chat about the place.
Brogan Dedicating my Life to Frogmore.
It has now been little more than three moons since glorious Frederick Francis, arrived home; eyes shining; hair wild (per usual), to tell me of a small village he had encountered.
The spirit of the place had completely encaptured him, I too felt a rush of desire as tales of green fields as far as the eye could see, & wild men.
I LOVE FROGMORE TO BE CONTINUED
Frogmore; The Land of Dreams
Upon passing frogmore recently the other day, I, Fred Whatmore, saw a small sign directing me to what I would later come to call Frogmore; home; the land of my dreams
The luscious green fields spread before my eyes, and fromore mausoleum doors wide open welcomed me in. . . ? I sat for a while with Willy the keeper of the Mausoleum grounds, we ate Frogmore stew and discussed the village politics, apparently Mrs Weatherby's Daughter has had a baby out of marriage and everyone is rather concerned.
This love and common knowledge of all residents of Frogmore warmed the cockels of my heart (possibly helped by the tasty stew, prepared by handsome old Willy, the generous source of all my Frogmore knowledge). There was an understanding; a loving atmosphere; a kindness seconded by no village I had ever had the fortune to run across.
On the journey home, my mind wandered back to the Frogmorian way of life. Decided,... Read more
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