The Drive c1955, Radlett
The Drive c1955, Radlett Ref: R267025
Memories of The Drive c1955, Radlett
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Radlett & local memories
Read and share memories of Radlett and Hertfordshire inspired by Frith photos.
Nostalgic Memories of Radlett
I was born in London in 1954 and loved visiting my grandparents who lived in Rose Walk. My first memory during the late 50's was the sight of Radlett Station, it was always well tended, with large painted tyres filled with flowers. The lady station mistress knew my sister and I, and would help us down from the train where we'd meet our lovely grandma. It was a long walk to the other end of Radlett, but how we loved staying there. I remember going shopping with grandma, the cobblers, fishmongers, the greengrocers (who had a rough collie, Sheba?) They'd deliver all her fruit & veg. Visits to the Co-op I think it was, a mini supermarket, where in the meat section you'd buy the meat and get a ticket, which was handed to a woman through a little window of her office where you'd pay. The pub near their house was the cat and fiddle, and just past that was a lovely bluebell wood, which led to the park.... Read more
Radlett Prep
I attended Radlett Prep between 1958 and 1965. It was located in a converted three storey Edwardian house on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Aldenham Grove, and has since been converted back to a private residence. Aldenham Grove was close to the nearby Aldenham Lodge mansion which was located at the top end of The Drive near what is now Lodge End. Aldenham Lodge had become a hotel which advertised all post-war mod cons including "...television, billiards, riding from our own stables, Swimming (club membership) and fully licensed Saturday Dinner Dances". Radlett Prep held exciting summer swimming galas in their substantial outdoor pool. The whole edifice was sadly demolished in 1964, putting an end to those sun-drenched grand galas with its reward of small bags of plain crisps with tiny blue bags of salt. Radlett Prep's Edwardian House was built on land sold off by the owners of Aldenham Lodge in 1910 for development. Radlett Prep was owned and run by a Mr and Mrs Bishop who lived in... Read more
Howards Cars
I wonder if anyone remembers the taxi firm in Radlett in the 1950`s and `60s - Howards Cars on Watling Street, or Harry Beeson, the taxi driver. They had a 1938 Austin Eighteen (JMY 950) which was often used for weddings. This car has survived and it came into my ownership not long after it ceased being used by the taxi firm and I still have it to this day. I would love to hear from anyone who knew the car, or better still has photos showing the car. Mike Kelly
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.
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
