Nostalgic memories of Hatfield Heath's local history
Share your own memories of Hatfield Heath and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying all 8 Memories
My Mum, Myrtle Harrington worked at clipped hedge when I was a child. She worked with David Bird, Michael Bird? My dad was Fred Harrington who worked at Corringales farm (Little Hallingbury Park,) The Parkinsons lived at Corringales House. Commander Reay Parkinson, Mrs Robin Parkinson, Nicola & Fiona.
I left school in 1962 and joined Clipped Hedge Turkey Farm on the Heath. I had already been working on the farm before leaving school. John Goddard was the owner and had another farm in Bishops Stortford for breeding purposes. I lived in Bishops Stortford and shared my time between the two farms. I knew many people on the Heath who worked on the farm in those ...see more
My Grandmother lived in Yew Tree Cottage, The Ryse Hatfield Heath with Bob Challis. I was a little girl growing up in London, and would visit at Weekends and school holidays. Uncle Bob was a stockman on the farm but later due to ill health drove a tractor. I remember cycling to Hatfield Heath on my little bike past the Turkey farm where I could see the heads of the turkeys. Nan told me at Christmas time they were ...see more
Not so much a memory for me as I am too young to actually remember Norman. Norman's name is among the list of brave young men that left the Heath and went to fight in the Second World War, he was the younger brother of my grandfather. They were in different regiments but actually ended up in the same POW camp on the famous River Kwai after being captured by the Japs. Grandad had no idea that Nornan was there, ...see more
This was a large dark place, all timber with a climb up the steps to get in and the floorboards creaking as you walked toward the counter. In them days I couldn't see over the counter but I remember the shopkeeper although I can't remember his name. To the left in the photo, the last building, that's where Brian Sergant started business with his plant hire, it is still running today but it is situated in Bush Fair, Harlow.
I was born in 1963 and spent many many weekends at the heath with my grandparents, Jack and Nellie Layfield. I have so many memories, and my mum was born there at number 1 Browns Cottages in 1939. Renalds butchers, Hatfield Heath Garage, the old Post Office, Bucks Store, Tudor Lodge, now that's a memory, my mum's cousins owned that and I remember it when it was in original condition, the Abetuare, it's all changed now though. Sorry about the spelling but that's the way it is...
Does anyone have any memories of Ryse Farm in the 1950s? I have looked for information on it recently and cannot find anything. Apparently my dad lived and worked there in the 1950s, and I think a William Bird was a cowman there?
My memories of the heath are from 1980 when my mother - Kathleen (Topsy) Whybrow and father bought me and my brother to the heath in the summer of 1980 for five months. My parents had emigrated to NZ and gave myself and my brother a choice - a swiming pool or a trip to the UK. I was only 8 and plumped for the pool but my older wiser brother convinced me my mother needed to see her family. And so it was to the ...see more