Stanstead Abbotts

Many

I would be pleased to hear from anyone with connections or memories of the village --- I was born & grew up there.

Feel free to e-mail me on --- greenviewpark&yahoo.co.uk

Leslie

St Andrew's Church

Wow, I have many fun memories about St Andrew's Church, living next door for many years and being a member in my younger years. To me it was like my second home. Does anyone remember Skipp? He was a lovely man, I got many a telling off for ringing the church bells, which I did on most days ,driving the neighbours crazy until they put new doors on. Not because of me, but things got stolen inside the church, so my bell ringing stopped, and sadly so did the trust for people to visit inside as it sadly had to be locked. Thank you, thieves. I have a lot of love for this church and very happy memories, and remember clearly to this day Mr Stevens the old vicar, who witnesses my first kiss, and said he would book me in for a wedding. I was only nine, bless him.  I will say to this day as I drive by the church  I look up and smile cheekily.

Netherfield House

Netherfield House is now up for sale, the estate agent lists it beautifully, I have photos of the house as it was, and am glad to see that the current owners kept it beautifully as a house of that age should be

Easneye Children's Home

I have a sketchy memory of my childhood in Easneye, between the ages of around 3-5 years old. I remember my mother dropping me off and being terrified. She said I was having a holiday but never came back for me.  All I can remember of my time was the dormitory, just a row of unfriendly beds, and the "farm" with the white wood swing gate that we kids got told off for climbing on. I don't remember much more than having to eat spinach because I got painful leg boils! Apparently this was common in undernourished children of that time. I still hate all vegetables to this day. Does anyone know what this building might have been called? The Mansion house looks very familiar. I now live in Australia. I look forward to any replies.

What was at the top of the hill?

At the top of Cats Hill were three large houses, one was called Netherfield House and had been donated by the Booth family to the Salvation Army.  My father ran the house as a residential home for 29 gentlemen, and I worked with him for several years.  The house now, I believe has been converted into luxury apartments, and I would love to have some pictures of it, any of the past and some of it now.  The family next door and opposite were called Prior.  My father was called Harold Finney, I remember our cook and gardener, Mr and Mrs Barnes, lived in the village, and I also remember another lady who lived in a cottage in the High Street, May Woodcock, who always had a spaniel dog.  I also remember Mrs Odell who ran the paint shop in the High Street.