Cats Hill

Stansteadbury, Cats Hill, Rye House to Cappell Lane.
Saint James Church, Stansteadbury. Postcard Charles Martin. Postal date Dec 1907. St James Church, Stanstead Bury. The parish church of Stanstead Abbotts until 1882, when St Andrews was built. Photo 1980 Saint James Church, 1904 St James Church. Date unknown
St James Church Postcard from "Friths" series date unknown St James Church, December 2011 Saint James Church, Stansteadbury. A "Raphael Tuck & sons" postcard. Part of the "Oilette" series. Postal date August 1906. Saint James Church in Stansteadbury was the parish church for over 700 years until 1882. The Church of Saint Andrew in Cappel Lane became the new parish church. Photo 2009
St James 2009 Saint James church. Photo 2009 St James church, Stanstead Bury. Photo 2009 Nave and pulpit, St James Church. The pulpit is oak and dates to the 16th century. Photo 2010.
The Baeshe memorial St James Church Photo June 2013 Interior St James Church. Limewash walls and very high pews. The organ dates to 1864. The pews St James Church. Made of deal and of different sizes the pews date to 1710. Photo 2010. Stained glass window, St James, Stanstead Bury. Photo 1980
Stained glass window, St James, Stanstead Bury. Photo 1980 Stained glass window, St James, Stanstead Bury. Photo 1980 The treble bell by John Briant, 1790. Photo 2010. The bells, St James church. It's possible that there were more than three originally. The treble (on the left) was made by John Briant of Hertford in 1790. Photo 2010.
Intricate support for the tower roof. St James church. Photo 2010. Rye House Tavern. postcard from the "Hatfield Series" No: 64. Postal date April 1906. Rye House Inn from the towpath. Photo March 2011 Entrance to Rye House Gatehouse. Photo 2007. Home to the Rye House plot of 1683.
Entrance to Rye House Gatehouse. Photo 2007. Home to the Rye House plot of 1683. Once known as the Kings Arms.Later renamed The Rye House. Photo 2007 The gardens at Rye House. Postcard but there are no publisher marks. According to research these pictures date to around 1904. The gardens at Rye House. Postcard but there are no publisher marks. According to research these pictures date to around 1904.
Rye House in the early 1900's. Rye House station and the old power station. 1980 something. Rye House Inn, Posted 1913 The old boathouse, Rye House. When I was a lad ( years ago ) we hired a canoe from here and paddled to Glen Faber. 1980 something.
Stanstead Abbotts bypass. Can't remember the date but think it was 1990 something.! The old oak tree. It used to stand at the top of Cats Hill at the junction of the old road to Harlow. It dissapeared from view with the building of the by pass in 1987. From a postcard by Charles Martin, No: 2131. date unknown. All that's left of the old oak with a new tree growing from the ashes. April 2011 Roydon Road towards Stanstead Abbotts. Highfield House can be seen on the right. Postcard undated but must be early 1900 something.
Netherfield House, Stanstead Abbotts. In 1946 the house was gifted to the Salvation Army by Miss Prior in memory of her great uncle sir Felix Booth of the Booth gin family. The house opened as an Eventide home in 1949. Before it closed the home was being run by Brigadier Finney and his wife. Photo donated by Brigadier Finneys daughter Mrs marlene Harris. Netherfield House, 1966. Miss Marlene Finney tending to 98 year old John Bunyon. Copyright Marlene Harris. I would like to express my thanks to Mrs Harris for the use of these photos. Netherfield House, Salvation Army Eventide Home entrance hall. Marlene Finney serves tea to the establishment. Brigadier Harold Finney, who ran the home, is on the extreme left of the picture. Photo around 1966. Copyright Marlene Harris. Netherfield House around 2008. Photo copyright Marlene Harris.
View of the old Maltings from Cats Hill. Photo Nov 1989 Cats Hill. Postcard "The Wolsley Series" No: 28. Date unknown. Cats Hill, postcard. F Frith and Co. Date Unknown. Kitten Lane, Off Cats Hill. Photo 1985
The cottages in Kitten Lane, viewed from the Hunsdon Road. This view is now obscured by the trees and bushes that had just been planted. Photo 1975. Cats Hill. Postcard unmarked but posted Aug 1906. Cats Hill. Postcard by "The Post Office" Stanstead Abbotts. The Vulcan series, undated but postage stamp shows 1921. Cats Hill. Photo 2005.
Cats Hill. Postcard from the "Hatfield Series", No: 65. Posted 1905. The address just states Miss Renwick, St. Margarets. Who needs a postcode! Cats Hill, February 2009. Cats Hill, Postcard by the The Post Office Stanstead Abbotts. date unknown. Cats Hill, 2005.
Cats Hill. Photo February 2009. Cats Hill, Jan 2010. Cats Hill, Jan 2010. Bottom of Cats Hill. A notorious spot for accidents. July 2006
Bottom of Cats Hill Stanstead Abbotts. Parking is a bit tight here so please leave as much room as possible for traffic to pass. January 2008. Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. Yet another calamity at the bottom of Cats Hill. After many hours the trailer was finally turned upright and reloaded. The lorry went another 100 yards and then stalled. A breakdown team finally managed to restart it. Photo about 1980 ? Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. Yet another calamity at the bottom of Cats Hill. After many hours the trailer was finally turned upright and reloaded. Photo 1980 ? Hunsdon Road. 2005
Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts. Postcard "The Hatfield Series". Postal date Sep 1906. Thele Avenue, Stanstead Abbotts. Postcard, details unknown but the houses were built in 1921. The water pump, Thele Avenue, Stanstead Abbotts. Water was not piped in until 1938 and before that communal pumps were used around the village. Thele Avenue, stanstead Abbotts. Photo Feb 2010.
Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts. Photo Jan 2010. The Great Storm 1987. Damge on the Hunsdon Road. Photo 1987. Newlands is a 400 year old farmhouse, Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts. Postcard publisher unknown but postal date is 1931. Newlands, Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts. Now a Bed and Breakfast establishment (2010) and judging by their web page a very fine one. Photo 2006
Albert "Quiddy" Salmons. Gamekeeper on the Findlay estate he lived at Halfway House farm, Stanstead Abbotts. Albert used to provide me with game and taught me how to cook a great bacon and pigeon pie. Now long gone I'm afraid but he was a great character. Photo 1970. Bonningtons, Stanstead Abbotts. Bonningtons is north-east of the village and used to be owned by the Calvert family and later by Mr. Salisbury Baxendale. No details. The Baesh Alms Houses of 1635. Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. Photo 2006. The Alms Houses, Roydon Road. Founded in 1635 by Sir Edward Baesh, who was a resident of the village; he left six almshouses for widows and decayed tradesmen. Although there are six doors the number of dwellings has been reduced. Photo 2006.
The Baesh Alms Houses of 1635. Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. Photo 2006. Woodcroft Avenue. Photo Jan 2010. Alms Houses, Roydon Road, Jan 2010. Roydon Road 2003
The Vicarage, Roydon Road. Now Thele House. Postcard Charles Martin. Postal date 1910. The Vicarage, Stanstead Abbotts. Now Thele House thanks to the Council messing around and taking it over. Originally in Vicarage Road but now known as Roydon Road. Postcard details not marked. Thele House, originally the Vicarage. Later used by Herts Council as a home for people awaiting housing. Now closed, (2010), but is a listed building so we await developements. Photo 2010. Thele House, originally the Vicarage. Later used by Herts Council as a home for people awaiting housing. Now closed, (2010), but is a listed building so we await developements. Photo 2010. The original Thele House stood by Abbotts Rise.
Thele House, the old vicarage. Recently sold for about £550,000. Jan 2011 There are three dwellings here, all neatly compacted into one buiding. Full of character and rather cosy. Photo 2009. Netherfield Lane, Stanstead Abbotts. Photo 2007. Marsh Lane, Stanstead Abbotts. Photo 2003.
The "Pretty Lake", Marsh Lane. Originally the "Washer Pit" for St Albans Sand and Gravel Co. So called because the gravel washing equipment stood adjacent to the pit. Stocked by the Abbotts Angling Society the lake later became part of Leisure Sport Ltd and is now under the care of Ware Angling Club. Photo 2009. Marsh Lane Stanstead Abbotts. Photo 2005 The sailing lake, Marsh Lane. The largest of the lakes it was originally known as the "Six Pit" due to Saint Albans sand and gravel plan. It was stocked with fish by the Abbotts Angling Society and contains large Carp, Tench and Bream. Photo 1980 Boating Lake, Marsh Lane 2011
Country dancing at the Queens Head, Stanstead Abbotts. A great pub where you could get a good pint and a game of cards, dominoes or darts. Molly and Stan were the licencees during my drinking days and were very hospitable. Photo late 1970's. he Queens Head, Stanstead Abbotts. Late 1970's. Scout float outside Queens Head. Photo 1970 something. (Well I can't remember everything). Womens Institute float by Queens Head pub. The lady in the smock dress is Liz Carter who kindly took care of me one night, when I was "slightly innebriated" after a session in the Village Club. Sadly no longer with us. The chap on the pub roof is Ted Chandler. Photo 1970's.
Great Amwell Brownies. Possibly the Royal Jubilee, 1977. Great Amwell Brownies. My wife is in the middle waving her flag. Photo 1977. Queens Head. Photo around 1980. Site of the old Queens Head. Before these houses were built the Queens Head converted to a chinese restaurant. Photo 2005
Roydon Road, 2005 Five Horseshoes. Roydon Road. No known details of gentleman or his dog. Five Horseshoes, Roydon Road. Date and publisher unknown. Roydon Road Feb 2010
Roydon Road, March 2010 Roydon Road 2010 Roydon Road around 2006. Cottages Roydon Road. The cottages have been here for years but the access road is relatively modern. I don't know where the original access was but I have a recollection that it was through the Queens Head Car park. Any information welcome. Photo 2006.
Butlers Stores, Roydon Road. A very useful shop that used to save a walk down to the High Street. Photo around 1980. Butlers Stores, Roydon Road. Photo around 1980. Demonstration for a bypass for Stanstead Abbotts. We would walk back and forth across the crossing forcing traffic to build up. The police used to clear the road when the hold up became excessive. Traffic through the village was non stop as it was the main A414 to Harlow. Photo April 1975. The bypass finally opened in 1987. Demonstration for a bypass for Stanstead Abbotts. Lots of these people still live in the village. Photo April 1975. The bypass finally opened in 1987.
Roydon Road. Photo around 1980. Vicarage Road, Stanstead Abbotts. Now Roydon Road. Postcard published by The Post Office, Stanstead Abbotts. Date unknown. Stanstead Abbotts, Roydon Road looking North. Postcard "The Hatfield Series", No: 80. Pre 1918 according to postage rate. Roydon Road looking South. Postcard part of "The Hatfield Series". Postal date may 1905.
Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. The site was cleared to make way for the new houses and used to be farm land. Photo around 1980. Roydon Road Stanstead Abbotts. The site used to be farm land and the fire station stood somewhere about here. I think I took this photo in the ealy 1980's but I can't be positive. I don't remember the fire station ever being used, but I do remember the farm. The maltings can be seen to the right. These cottages still remain but the farm land to their right is now houses. Roydon Road around 1980. Abbotts House. Formerly known as Fernside. An old Tudor building although it has been altered over the years. Photo around 1980.
Roydon Road, Photo 2006 Abbotts Rise. Photo Feb 2006 Trailer load of manure spills on to the Roydon Road. Another bollard uprooted. April 19th 2011 Clearing up the mess. Apart from the bollard no damage was done. Roydon Road April 19th 2011
Old school modernisation 2011 Parish Hall, Roydon Road. Jan 2011 Saint Andrews old School. Photo 2010. The new building replacing the old school out house. Jan 2011
The new building replacing the old school out house. Jan 2011 New extension to the old school Jan 2011 The Maltings and Mill Stream The Mill stream, bottom of Glenmire Terrace. Once used to convey cargo to the malt industry in the village. Now a quiet backwater. Photo 2005.
The Mill, Stanstead Abbotts. Date unknown. No publisher details on card. Mill Bridge, Stanstead Abbotts. The bridge is no longer there. The Mill Stream now flows under the Roydon Road to the right of this old bridge as can be seen by the position of the church. Postcard part of "The Hatfield Seies". Postal date unclear but bears a 1905 Edward V11 stamp. The old malt barrow presented to the village by French and Jupps. Feb 2014 The French and Jupps barrow in Roydon Road. Rubbish bin? Feb 2014
Not a rubbish bin at all and in fact it looks rather smart in the early morning sunshine. Photo Aug 4th 2014. Cats Hill, January 2013 Hunsdon Road ditch overflowing. Dec 2013 Richard Atkins field, Marsh Lane. January 2013
Marsh Lane towards Roydon Road. January 2013 Entrance to the Regional Park, Marsh Lane. January 2013 Netherfield Lane towards the Roydon Road. January 2013. Old school building 2012. No bell on roof.
Regional Park, January 2013 Regional Park. January 2013 Regional Park, January 2013 Regional Park walking from Marsh Lane towards Netherfield Lane. January 2013
The old Washer Pit, Marsh Lane. January 2013 Sailing on the lake in freezing conditions. Marsh Lane. January 2013 Sand bags in Roydon Road. Feb 7th 2014 Flood protection, Roydon Road. Feb 7th 2014
Stanstead Abbotts school. Note the bell on the roof, where did it go? Dates to 1918 or earlier due to postage rate on card. St Andrews school Standard IV 1923. The boy in the middle at the back row is my uncle Jack Gilbey. Photo submitted by Rosemary Hackforth (nee Gilbey) St Andrews school 1923. My uncle Jack Gilbey is fourth from right in back row. Just what had they been doing? Photo submitted by Rosemary Hackforth (nee Gilbey) Original Thele House. One gate pillar still remains in the wall. There was a fine orchard in the garden as I know from experience. Photographer unknown