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  1. Home
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  4. Ayot St Lawrence, The Old Church c.1955

Ayot St Lawrence, The Old Church c.1955
Photo ref: A99002
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Photo ref: A99002
Photo of Ayot St Lawrence, The Old Church c.1955
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More about this scene

The remains of the old church lie to the west of the village. It was built in the 12th century with later additions and renovations, including the tower of around 1500. The church fell into disuse when the new church was built in 1799. When he built Ayot House, Sir Leonard Lyde found that the old church had blocked his view, and began to demolish it without permission from the bishop. He was forced to cease the desecration as soon as news reached the bishop, but the work had proceeded too far, and the ruins stand today as a reminder of his folly.

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A Selection of Memories from Ayot St Lawrence

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 Ayot St Lawrence

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A Timeless Village
Many of my family lived in Ayot St Lawrence, pre and post war. Both sets of grandparents lived there. Arthur and Elsie Smith, lived at Forge Cottage and worked at Ayot Cottage & later worked at Abbotshay Farm and lived then at Church Cottage. Lou and Fen Harding ran The Brocket Arms, later my uncle Peter Harding took over the tenancy. Other family; my aunts lived at Ruins Cottages, first Mildred ...see more
Ayot St Lawrence, the Village c1955
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Added 14 October 2013

Ayot St Lawrence
I was born in Hitchin Hospital in 1948 & we lived in Abbotshay Cottage , before moving to The Home Farm Delaport in Wheathampstead , when I was 11. The post office was run by an elderly lady whose name I feel was Miss Lythe. The milk was delivered daily by Mrs Tucker . The Brocket Arms was very popular , Sunday School was held in one of the bars. The vicar at the time was Rev. Davies, he always ...see more
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Added 12 June 2010

The Silk Farm
A delightful place to work if only for six months. We would lunch at the Brocket Arms or take a picnic into the grounds by the swimming pool. We did work as well; caring for the silk worms in the mornings and showing visitors around in the afternoons. My favourite task would be to walk the grounds collecting flowers and foliage for the arrangement in the hall. The downside was the 5 mile bike ride each way in all weathers.
Ayot St Lawrence, Ayot House c1955
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Added 29 August 2008

More about Image Optimisation

All our photos are printed as optimised versions of their originals, this process can take anything from 15 minutes to several hours. This ensures that the product you get shows the true quality that Frith photos are renowned for.

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Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

What is an Album?

An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

You can create as many Albums as you want, so perhaps make one for your hometown, where you live now, where your parents live now etc.