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Benington

Benington photos (3 available)

Old photo of Benington

Benington maps (2 available)

Old map of Benington

Benington books (9 available)

Benington memories

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Hertfordshire memories

Childhood Memories

I remember when I was just a young teenager... you could roam around the village and just about everyone knew you.

I loved to wander down to Mill Stream Lane with my jam jar and fishing net and walk along the stream searching for stickle backs and anything else I could catch. The fields behind us would whisper in the breeze and the sunlight would filter through the trees and glisten on the water below. Life was not so demanding, not worried too much about stranger danger and you knew that you was nestled in a village that looked after its own.

I remember old "Snowy" who had worked for years in the local butchers shop.
I remember Mr ...read more here
A memory of Watton At Stone contributed by JOY ABBATO

Heaven

Stevenage, the Avenue 1899

This is simply my most favourite place in the whole world! No words can describe the peace and tranquility I feel when I walk along The Avenue with my family and dogs. The autumn months are my favourite! The range of colours in the trees, the conkers falling to the ground, and the sound of the branches swaying in the wind. Here I am at peace with the world. I wish it were longer, I could walk for ever!
A memory of Stevenage contributed by sharon dudley

Goldings

Thousands of teenage boys would have spent their formative years at William Baker Technical School which was housed in the historic mansion of Goldings in the village of Waterford. In 1922 around 240 boys and staff marched from Stepney Causeway where Barnodos had their training workshops to the station where they travelled by train to Hertford. Forming up behind their band they marched past the newly errected war memorial laying a wreath in memory of Barnodo Boys who had lost their lives in the Great War, and onto their new home at Goldings in Waterford. Within the 110 acres a number of good sporting facilities were created for football and ...read more here
A memory of Waterford contributed by J Parsons

The Bell Hotel, Hare Street, Buntingford

Buntingford, High Street c1955

I have recently discovered that my Great Grandfather John Main originally from Devon (a shoe maker) and then in Brixton, London as a Dairy Manager owned the Bell Hotel in Hare Street around 1905.
My Grandmother lived there as a little girl and would often tell us stories as children about how it was haunted and about secret panels etc and of an old huntsman who would sit on the garden wall!
I have several old postcards of it and the Street.  He was still there in 1916 when my Grandmother married and I think on into the 1920s.
I just wondered if The Bell was still there?
A memory of Buntingford contributed by Judith Irwin

Extracts From Benington & Hertfordshire books

Benington, St Peter's Church c1960

Records suggest that a church stood on this site in the early 9th century. This present building dates from the 13th century. One of the tombs inside the church commemorates the Caesar family, whose most famous member, Julius Caesar, once held the Great Seal of England. He was born Caesar Aldemar, and Queen Mary allowed the family to adopt the name Julius in perpetuity. A fine carving on the tower appears to depict Josef Stalin, but it is actually the likeness of David Warner, one-time sexton.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".

Benington, Church Interior c1960

It is recorded that the site of the present St Peter’s Church was used as a place of worship as early as the 9th century at the time of King Bertulph of Mercia. After the Norman Conquest, the manor was held by Peter de Valoignes, and it was from him that the church took its dedication. The building has been restored on number of occasions, and when the tower was renovated in the early part of the last century, some of the stone heads were re-carved to represent the workmen. One particular head resembles Josef Stalin wearing his renowned cap - however, in fact it represents David Warner, the sexton. It is believed that he negotiated a deal with the mason. ‘Give me a price of a mug of ale’, the mason is said to have told him, ‘and I’ll put your mug on the tower!’
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".

Hitchin, Hermitage Road c1965

In 1901, Hermitage Road was a pleasant, open avenue. The building on the left in view 46642, left, is the Hermitage, home of Frederick Seebohm; very little of it still remains. Windmill Hill is just visible in the background.
An extract from from"Hitchin Town and City Memories".

Hitchin, St Mary's Church and War Memorial 1931

A view of St Marys church in 1931, with the War Memorial in the foreground. In 1752, the Rewd William Cole wrote that the tower was `one of the most clumsy and heavy ones I ever saw`. Perhaps `solid` is a kinder description.
An extract from from"Hitchin Town and City Memories".

Hitchin, the Sun Hotel c1965

In the 1960s, the Sun Hotel’s yard did not include fire escapes from the upstairs rooms, as it does now. Otherwise, there is little but the parked cars to give a clue to the date of this photograph. The timber- framed buildings, on the left, are believed to date from the 16th century.
An extract from from"Hitchin Town and City Memories".