Redbourn
Encyclopedia
Redbourn is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire
, United Kingdom
, lying on Watling Street
, 3 miles from Harpenden
, 4 miles from St Albans
and 5 miles from Hemel Hempstead
. It has a population of around 6,000.
times and it is recorded in the Domesday Book
. Its Parish Church, St Mary's, was built in the early 12th century. Around fifty years later a small priory
was founded half a mile away on Redbourn Common, after the abbot of St Albans Abbey decided to hallow the ground. Some bones had been found on the spot, reputed to be of Saint Amphibalus the priest who converted St Alban
to Christianity
.
To the southwest of the town just beyond the motorway is the site of an Iron Age
hill fort
called The Aubreys.
In the sixteenth century the manor of Redbourn belonged to the Reade family: Sir Richard Reade
, former Lord Chancellor of Ireland, on his death in 1575, left a bequest for the upkeep of the parish.
In 2010, Redbourn's St Marys Church celebrated its 900th Anniversary.
business on the River Ver
's water meadows. Just south of the village, Redbournbury Mill
, a recently restored watermill
, produces flour.
Silk throwing was carried out at the steam driven Woollam's Mill near Redbourn Common. The mill was taken over by John Mangrove & Son and closed in 1938. At the outbreak of the World War II
, Brooke Bond
took over the silk mill. Whilst the factory was still open, a young gentleman in the village fell into a vat of jam and died. After a successful lobbying campaign by several school children in 2003, a memorial bench was unveiled to 'Sticky Joe'. After closing their factory in 1996 the old silk mill manager’s house (the Grade II listed Silk Mill House) was donated as the village museum, which opened in May 2000. The former silk mill site is now a housing estate. Local grocer Russell Harborough set up a jam making factory, which in 1956 was bought by Thomas Mercer Ltd, marine chronometer
manufacturer. The site, just off the High Street, is now an industrial estate.
Old industries in the village included making straw plait and hat making — Redbourn Village Hall was formerly a straw hat
factory.
to Birmingham
, sounded the death knell of stage-coaching.
A branch railway line - known as the Nicky Line
- from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden, passed through Redbourn. The line opened on 16 July 1877 and closed in 1979. The route is now a public footpath and cycle path. The first bus service through the village started in 1908 though buses took some years to become established.
In 1903 Mr Boucher, the local dentist
, owned the first private car
in the village, (a 6 HP Gladiator). Several motor rallies were centred in Redbourn in the 1900s using The Bull Pub. The three garages, Walkers & Hardings in the High Street, Bylands on Dunstable Road and Stathams at Church End have all closed leaving only a filling station next to The Chequers Pub on the St Albans Road. The first fatal motor accident in Redbourn was near The Chequers in 1908. Unfortunately accidents on the St Albans road still occur and are also now a regular occurrence on the nearby M1
.
The first mention of a Redbourn by-pass was in 1935 and one was built in 1984; the High Street was closed for a day of celebrations.
was played on Redbourn Common some eighty years earlier. Some Hertfordshire County histories record cricket being played on the Common in 1666. This makes the village one of the oldest recorded cricketing locations in England.
, 2002 (Overall & Western Area Winner), and a section winner in 2003. In 2002 Redbourn was also an Eastern & Home Counties Section Winner. 2004 saw Redbourn again winning Hertfordshire Village of the Year, Western Area. 2005 Hertfordshire Village of The Year IT Section Winner and Eastern England Information Communication Technology Winner 2005, also Hertfordshire Village of the year Best Community Project Award. Silver Award Anglia in Bloom 2005.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, lying on Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
, 3 miles from Harpenden
Harpenden
Harpenden is a town in Hertfordshire, England.The town's total population is just under 30,000.-Geography and administration:There are two civil parishes: Harpenden and Harpenden Rural....
, 4 miles from St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
and 5 miles from Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
. It has a population of around 6,000.
History
The village has been settled at least since SaxonAnglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
times and it is recorded in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
. Its Parish Church, St Mary's, was built in the early 12th century. Around fifty years later a small priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
was founded half a mile away on Redbourn Common, after the abbot of St Albans Abbey decided to hallow the ground. Some bones had been found on the spot, reputed to be of Saint Amphibalus the priest who converted St Alban
Saint Alban
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox...
to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
To the southwest of the town just beyond the motorway is the site of an Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hill fort
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
called The Aubreys.
In the sixteenth century the manor of Redbourn belonged to the Reade family: Sir Richard Reade
Richard Reade
Sir Richard Reade was an English-born judge who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland.- Background and early career :...
, former Lord Chancellor of Ireland, on his death in 1575, left a bequest for the upkeep of the parish.
In 2010, Redbourn's St Marys Church celebrated its 900th Anniversary.
Economy
Redbourn was, for a long time, the centre of a farming community and for a time had a successful watercressWatercress
Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by human beings...
business on the River Ver
River Ver
The Ver is a river in Hertfordshire, England. The river begins in the grounds of Markyate Cell, and flows south for 12 miles alongside Watling Street through Flamstead, Redbourn, St Albans and Park Street, and joins the River Colne at Bricket Wood....
's water meadows. Just south of the village, Redbournbury Mill
Redbournbury Mill
Redbournbury Mill, a water-driven flour mill, lies on the River Ver in the hamlet of Redbournbury between St Albans and Redbourn in the county of Hertfordshire, England....
, a recently restored watermill
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
, produces flour.
Silk throwing was carried out at the steam driven Woollam's Mill near Redbourn Common. The mill was taken over by John Mangrove & Son and closed in 1938. At the outbreak of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Brooke Bond
Brooke Bond
Brooke Bond is a brand-name of tea owned by Unilever, formerly an independent manufacturer in the United Kingdom, known for its PG Tips brand and its Brooke Bond tea cards.- History :...
took over the silk mill. Whilst the factory was still open, a young gentleman in the village fell into a vat of jam and died. After a successful lobbying campaign by several school children in 2003, a memorial bench was unveiled to 'Sticky Joe'. After closing their factory in 1996 the old silk mill manager’s house (the Grade II listed Silk Mill House) was donated as the village museum, which opened in May 2000. The former silk mill site is now a housing estate. Local grocer Russell Harborough set up a jam making factory, which in 1956 was bought by Thomas Mercer Ltd, marine chronometer
Marine chronometer
A marine chronometer is a clock that is precise and accurate enough to be used as a portable time standard; it can therefore be used to determine longitude by means of celestial navigation...
manufacturer. The site, just off the High Street, is now an industrial estate.
Old industries in the village included making straw plait and hat making — Redbourn Village Hall was formerly a straw hat
Straw hat
A straw hat is a brimmed hat that is woven out of straw or reeds. The hat is designed to protect the head from the sun and against heatstroke, but straw hats were also used in fashion and as a decorative element of a uniform.- Manufacture :...
factory.
Transportation
During the coaching era, Redbourn was known as the Street of Inns, boasting at least 25 pubs and inns at its peak, but in 1838 the opening of the railway from LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, sounded the death knell of stage-coaching.
A branch railway line - known as the Nicky Line
Nicky Line
The Nicky Line is the local nickname for the railway that once linked the English towns of Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden via Redbourn. It was officially known as the Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead Railway...
- from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden, passed through Redbourn. The line opened on 16 July 1877 and closed in 1979. The route is now a public footpath and cycle path. The first bus service through the village started in 1908 though buses took some years to become established.
In 1903 Mr Boucher, the local dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
, owned the first private car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
in the village, (a 6 HP Gladiator). Several motor rallies were centred in Redbourn in the 1900s using The Bull Pub. The three garages, Walkers & Hardings in the High Street, Bylands on Dunstable Road and Stathams at Church End have all closed leaving only a filling station next to The Chequers Pub on the St Albans Road. The first fatal motor accident in Redbourn was near The Chequers in 1908. Unfortunately accidents on the St Albans road still occur and are also now a regular occurrence on the nearby M1
M1 motorway
The M1 is a north–south motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where it joins the A1 near Aberford. While the M1 is considered to be the first inter-urban motorway to be completed in the United Kingdom, the first road to be built to motorway standard in the country was the...
.
The first mention of a Redbourn by-pass was in 1935 and one was built in 1984; the High Street was closed for a day of celebrations.
Cricket
Redbourn Cricket Club was formed about 1823, but records show organised cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
was played on Redbourn Common some eighty years earlier. Some Hertfordshire County histories record cricket being played on the Common in 1666. This makes the village one of the oldest recorded cricketing locations in England.
Awards
Redbourn was Hertfordshire Village Of The YearCalor Village of the Year
The Calor Village of the Year comprised 4 annual competitions organised by gas provider Calor to identify the villages that best met the following criteria: "a well-balanced, pro-active, caring community which has made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for...
, 2002 (Overall & Western Area Winner), and a section winner in 2003. In 2002 Redbourn was also an Eastern & Home Counties Section Winner. 2004 saw Redbourn again winning Hertfordshire Village of the Year, Western Area. 2005 Hertfordshire Village of The Year IT Section Winner and Eastern England Information Communication Technology Winner 2005, also Hertfordshire Village of the year Best Community Project Award. Silver Award Anglia in Bloom 2005.
People
- Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of NorfolkElizabeth Howard, Duchess of NorfolkElizabeth Howard was the eldest daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and the wife of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk...
, 1494–1558, following the breakup of her marriage to Thomas HowardThomas Howard, 3rd Duke of NorfolkThomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was a prominent Tudor politician. He was uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of the wives of King Henry VIII, and played a major role in the machinations behind these marriages...
3rd Duke of Norfolk, she was sent to Redbourn where she claimed "the duke locked me up in a chamber and took away my jewels and apparels". - Henry Stephens, 1796–1864. Doctor-surgeon, chemist, and businessman. Developed an improved formula for blue-black ink and set up a company marketing the ink.
- Henry Charles StephensHenry Charles StephensHenry Charles "Inky" Stephens was an English businessman and Conservative Party politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1887 to 1900 as the Member of Parliament for the Hornsey division of Middlesex....
, 1841–1918, Henry Stephens's son who developed the ink business and became a Conservative Party politician. - Ron HenryRon HenryRon Henry is a retired footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur, and won one cap for England. His grandson, Ronnie, is also a professional footballer.-Club career:...
, 1934–, a retired footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur lives in the village. - Gordon BeningfieldGordon BeningfieldGordon Beningfield was a wildlife artist and broadcaster. He published many books including Beningfield's Butterflies, in 1978...
, 1936–1998, wildlife artist. - Michael Christopher "Mick" LuckhurstMick LuckhurstMichael Christopher Wilbert "Mick" Luckhurst is a retired American football placekicker. He made his professional debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 1981, remaining with the team until the 1987 NFL season. Mick was also the face of Channel Four's American Football coverage from 1988 through until...
, 1958–, a retired American football placekicker who played for the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
was born in Redbourn. Mick he also was face of Channel Four's American Football coverage from 1987 through until 1991.