Broxbourne, The New River And St Augustine's Church c.1955
Photo ref: B413013
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Photo ref: B413013
Photo of Broxbourne, The New River And St Augustine's Church c.1955

More about this scene

The New River, whose source is at Amwell Springs, was built at the orders of Sir Hugh Myddleton to supply clean water to London. John Macadam, who is remembered in the church, once employed a local man, George Allen, to manufacture an iron ring. If a stone passed through the ring, it was the correct size for road building. Allen asked Macadam what would happen if the ring was ever lost. 'Why, George', replied Macadam, 'let them try the pieces in their mouths. If they go in, they will be small enough'.

A Selection of Memories from Broxbourne

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Broxbourne

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If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

Mr grandmother lived in Bourne Close and my mother was born there in 1923. She met my father in the late 40s when he was the minister of Hoddesdon Baptist Church. In the late 50s I regularly made the trip to Broxbourne with my mother from Surrey. We would leave home on a very early train and arrive in Broxbourne in time for breakfast. Later on my grandmother came to live with us, first in Godalming in ...see more
Before the houses were built, I remember this area as an open field with blackberry bushes.