Hemel Hempstead

During the 18th century, the roads Cherry Bounce, Chapel Street, Bell Road (now St Mary’s Road), and George Street were all developing on the east side of the of the High Street and were in effect extensions of the main street. At the southern end of the High Street the road branched to the east into Saffron Lane, later known as Queen Street. At one time the High Street stretched to the west, to the south of Gadebridge Park, when the land there formed the grounds of the Bury. This short stretch of road, which joined Bury Road to the west with Queen Street, now Lower Queensway, became known as Broadway. It obtained the name because it was a ‘broad way’ when compared to the narrow High Street. With the wide expanse at the top of Marlowes, this area became an overflow for the cattle market. By the end of the 18th century, however, the cattle market was dismantled and the London entrance to the town, as it was known, was improved. The cattle market was moved to a meadow behind the Rose and Crown. As the last specialised market of Hemel Hempstead, it survived up to the Second World War. Marlowes itself was gradually developed with several fine villas and shops appearing amongst speculative building and shabby cottages.
An extract from from"Hemel Hempstead - A History & Celebration".

Mills and rows of cheap housing were swept away during the development of Marlowes in the new town of Hemel Hempstead. The towpaths of the River Gade, which ran behind Marlowes, were converted into quiet riverside walks and pleasure gardens designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, with fountains and bronze statues; this photograph shows ‘Rock and Roll’ sculpted by Hubert Yencesse, a French artist, and installed during the summer of 1962. A copy of ‘Rock and Roll’ was cast in early 1970 and presented to one of the Australian new towns.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".

Originally a tree lined thoroughfare, Marlowes when it was developed in the early 1950s became the main shopping centre for the new town. Well known chain stores were strongly represented in Marlowes and Bridge Street - Truform Shoes, Dorothy Perkins, Milletts and Burton the tailors were here - as well as local shops and retail outlets such as Vanity Fair and Hiltons. The per annum rentals on these new premises ranged from £1000 to £1500 and £600 to £800 in 1954.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".

Stoneycroft was part of the new town development, and work started in 1952. The Top of the World pub (left), named after Hilary and Tensing’s successful conquering of Mount Everest in 1953, was opened just in time for Christmas 1956. The shops - Constables, Barkers, Kayes, ‘Reliable Fruiterers’ and Wallaces - have today been replaced by, amongst others, the ubiquitous Chinese takeaway food outlet and charity shops.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".

The foundation stone of the new Odeon Cinema was laid in 1959 by the actress Lauren Bacall. When the work was completed, the opening ceremony was carried out by the British character actor Leslie Phillips. The Pavilion (centre) offered ‘Dancing every Saturday’, and local teenagers were entertained by popular music groups such as The Kinks and their lead singer, Ray Davies. In the last few years, the cost of running the Pavilion has been prohibitive, and this once-proud venue has now been demolished.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".