Recently I searched for old photographs of Hemel Hempstead on the Internet and came across this site which bought back so many memories of growing up there in the 70’s. It is worth a look if you too remember how it used to be, some classic shots amongst them.
On a trip back last year I was amazed how much Hemel has changed but then I can think back quite a way and guess most towns change a LOT in 30 odd years. It was a new town in the green belt in the 1960’s (this photo was taken by Dad in 1961) and the aspirations were clear and quite quaint when you look back now. A couple of my friends have continued to live in the area and probably don’t notice the changes the way I do… although I did get favourable comments that there is now a decent department store in the form of a new Debenhams!
Here are some of the shops I remember which won’t interest you if you don’t know Hemel or don’t like shopping!! The shops I most remember in the Marlowes are Peacocks which was a decorating store selling wallpaper and general DIY goods. The purple peacock logo caught my eye above the window and there was many a trip there on Saturdays with my parents. That was near the magic roundabout end and on that corner was a large WHSmiths (Blockbusters video shop when I last saw it). Beyond was the green and wall where we’d wait for the bus. The Seafarer Restaurant nearby was great with it’s bright orange seats and canteen-like service. We’d go there for fish & chips during school holidays. I most remember the walls which had large bronze effect wall murals of what I took to be either Bodica and her chariots with horses galloping in front or something to do with “In The Hall Of The Mountain King”. They were stunning when I was at that impressionable age and I can still picture them so clearly – perhaps they were actually cheap plastic things, who knows.
Further up on the same side, Garlands was full of exciting ornaments and gadgets. That was the first place I saw those big clocks with ball bearings moving around to tell the time. Then was Taylor & McKenna (light blue & white logo), a toy and model shop. Dad used to go upstairs as there was a great choice of those small enamel paint pots with coloured lids he liked to use, they had a very recognisable smell. He also bought clay for modelling, diecast figures and model plane kits. Next to that shop was an open bit, slightly recessed, with a pond and fountain. I think there were some mosaic murals round the side of fishes. There was a ramp going round the back which we walked up to get to the Wimpy Burger Bar. Ahh, Wimpy, home of many holiday treats. I always wanted, but could never finish, the Knickerbocker Glory!! Then there were some more shops I can’t remember, a big open area, then Boots and Sainsburys. This open area had seats around and was a popular place to stop for a rest. Boots was where my Auntie worked for a while and I remember seeing her on the front tills in her uniform but not wanting to disturb her! She must have loved that kind of job as she enjoyed chatting with people so much. Before that she worked in the old Co-Op building near the multistorey car park. Boots is where I first remember being let loose around town with a friend. The first single I bought was in there, of all things “It’s My Party And I’ll Cry If I Want To” by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin, perhaps I shouldn’t admit to that 😮 We’d also spend ages around the make-up counter.
Memories of Sainsburys revolve around their old sturdy brown paper bags with the orange logo on and several favourite things to buy – twiglets in the old Peak Frean packaging and toffee apples hiding amongst the boring fruit and crisps. I had a mishap in Sainsburys when very small. Mum sat me in the front of the trolley and went further down the isle to buy something. I decided to lean out to pick something off a shelf and tipped the whole trolley over!! It must have made quite a crash and shocked Mum no end… although upset, I walked away unscathed.
Then came the “high pavement” bit, not a lot up there but I did have my ears pierced in the hairdressers. Crossing over from Sainsburys there was a downstairs sweet shop, possibly Maynards, with a restaurant upstairs that we went into regularly for toasted teacakes and coffee (now a pizza restaurant?). Up a bit further was the open air market. I enjoyed wandering round there many Saturdays and bought several fashion statements of the time including a maroon leather jacket, those clear blue plastic macs (very fetching) and teabag shoes. I distinctly recall all the two tone clothes hanging up and hearing Fat Larry’s Band playing “Zoom” so I guess that was early 80’s. Woolworths is the only shop still further down I think. It used to be a much better shop and the photo booth was always a pull – the photos to prove it are somewhere in my scrapbooks ready to embarrass various friends. Was The Living Room nightclub next door? I never did go there as I left Hemel before I was at that age but it was popular with Longdean’s sixth form.
Craftsmith was the best ever arts and crafts shop on one side of Bank Court. It had an upstairs that went part way over the centre of the court and I’d often buy things in there. On the other side of the court was Raynes, an (even then) old fashioned women’s clothes shop. There was a display window on the corner in front of the doorway where I used to play hide and seek every time we passed when very young! The only other shop I really remember was the fishmongers near the end. It always had weird things in the window like big prawns and pink Taramoslata, loved the name so memorised that before I knew what it was. Inside they had fish tanks around the walls high up so I liked watching those enough to put up with the smell when we went in. At the end on that side stood the Wagon & Horses pub, perhaps the Co Op building was after that. Then who can forget the big multi storey car park in Moor End Road with the famous orange and yellow ball revolving on the top.
The water gardens were lovely, we mostly parked at that end where there were trees between each row of cars. We crossed a bridge over the river and I often took our stale bread to feed the ducks and swans there. There were a few shops in Waterhouse Street, one had a working model of a railway in the window which always fascinated me. I mustn’t forget to include the Dacorum Pavillion, home of many local Ideal Home Shows which I loved even at that age! I guess there was a goodie bag and a few stalls which appealed to me. It was always bustly with lots to see, people demonstrating new things you hadn’t seen before. We went at other times but can I remember what for now. The last event I saw there was Leo Sayer in concert, the building brought back so many memories with the different levels and open areas in between the entrances to the main hall and stage. I picture the decoration as being lots of burgundy velvet curtain and gold details.
We also went to the Odeon cinema frequently, alas no longer there, and had dinner in Seapride next door afterwards. This photo was taken from a website, alas not by me!
In summer holidays Mum and I would often walk along the footpath through the water gardens beside the River Gade to an area further up where there was a large pond. I’d take my fishing net and bucket and catch tiny fishes… which I put back of course (just found the pic below which brings back some happy memories). There was also a playground with fantastic castle walls to climb on, it even had ramparts which were tricky to walk along. There is a picture of this area on the website mentioned above but surely it was much much bigger than that!!
Further up was the large playground on the other side of Warners End Road and behind the Registry Office. 
A great place in the summer as there was an open swimming pool, climbing frame, swings, seesaw, and the infamous rocking horse I fell over the front off when very small. There was a tunnel through the hillside, a big round concrete hole leading through to the main part of Gadebridge park, very exciting to run through or over at that age. The park itself was lovely, home to the fun fair in the hols and a bowling club area. St Mary’s Church, still lovely, sits to one side with its walled gardens.
The Old Town I loved even before doing Local Studies in the 1st year of Longdean. At that time we took rubbings of the pastoral plates beside the doorways, learnt about the origins of the name Hemel Hempstead and who invented the Quern made out of Hertfordshire Pudding Stone. Some memories never fade! There was a great Wagons art shop up there but the best shop was the pet shop, or was it purely a tropical fish shop? I always stood in front of the fish tanks fascinated by the red and blue Japanese Fighting fish who couldn’t be in the same tank as each other and the scary Scorpion fish who’s tentacles could kill. I could watch them for hours so guess I love fish!!
When Steve visited recently he reminded me about how the water gardens used to extend further towards the Dacorum. Apparently they ruined the site over 20 years ago ready for development, that never happened and the grounds were left in a mess and all barricaded up. Now the whole area has been redeveloped and they have reintroduced something very similar – better late than never. There was a pond up that end as well and now I remember an underpass and the fact that you walked through it all on the way to the sports centre.
That’s about all for the town centre itself. When I had a rabbit we’d visit Piccotts End Mill, a little further out of town. You turned off the road, crossed the River Gade, into a large open space where usually a sheepdog or two would be waiting. The old mill was to the left and to the right was a large barn. We mainly went for straw, hay and dog biscuits but I used to look at the horsey stuff when I went through the “Mum I want a pony” stage!! The river had bullrushes and watercress growing at the edges, a very pretty place reminiscent of older times.
At the other end of town in Station Road was the Art Centre where I went during half term a couple of times. A lovely old building with rickety floors. Always children’s crafts in the window. I did some painting and can’t for the life of me remember what else or who I went with. Next to that is a pub, still there, called “Ye Old Projectionist” which has lots of cinema related things. Nearby is the Dacorum Sports Centre where I used to go swimming often. I haven’t seen it since the big refurbishment. At one time I went to classes and we went with the school as well. There was an outside pool which great fun in summer and always very busy. If anyone wants to set me straight on any mis-rememberings or has more to add, please put your comments below.
233 Responses
April 12th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I was Googling the toyshop Taylor & McKenna following a conversation with the wife about favourite shops when we were kids, when I came across your site.
I lived in Leighton Buzzard as a child from 1966 to 1984 (I now live in Devon) and my parents used to take me shopping to Hemel quite regularly.
The photograph of the little girl fishing with the net stopped me in my tracks. After shopping, as a treat, my late father would take me to fish for tiddlers in the very spot shown in the picture. The photo brought back so many memories I actually found myself choking up. Thank you so very much for this site. You have made a middle aged man very sentimental.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:20 am
I was brought up in Dunstable in the 70’s but for some reason we always drove to Hemel if we were taking the train to London. I think my Dad didn’t like Luton BR cos the carpark was 5p more expensive. We also used to come to Hemel shopping when I was a child. I remember coming here when I was about 3 on my birthday and being bought a big red pedal car that I virtually lived in for the next few years. Sometimes on the way home we’d stop at the paddling pool at the end of Gadebride park or have a walk around the river by the bridge further up. I remember in the late 70’s all the trees up by the bridge being chopped down cos of Dutch Elm disease. I also remember the revolving bobble thing on the top of the carpark but until I came here to work in the 90’s I had always thought it was on top of the Kodak building.
After the 70’s I rarely visited Hemel until the early 90’s when I saw a few bands at the Pavillion (Neds Atomic Dustbin stands out). When I visited again in 95 I was really surprised to see the town centre had been virtually pedestrianized but I think it was an improvement. I was also struck by the massive wasteland where the Shell building had been in my childhood.
In 1998 I came to Hemel to work as a Police Officer and have been stationed here ever since. I am very happy here and overall it is a good town. I’ve read the few comments knocking Hemel but as an insider I feel qualified to say that like most towns 95% of the problems are caused by 5% of the population, and compared to Dunstable (which in the 70’s was a fairly affluent market town but is now in terminal decline) where I was brought up Hemel is still very desirable. In fact when I walk through the town now I am struck by just how much regeneration and improvement has gone on since I arrived in 1998. Back in the 70’s the town was a nice clean place that still retained a lot of the orignal new twon idealism but by 98 it had become a bit run down. In the last few years its really started changing again and hopefully Hemels 2nd golden time is coming (assuming all the funding doesn’t totally dry up).
Great to read all the posts here. I hope my little contribution is interesting.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Having lived in Hemel for all of my 37 years I remember a few of the memories posted here, and must admit I had a chuckle about the Texas Homestores Showhouses – I actually had one of my first ‘dates’ there when I was about 15! – Too young for most places in the town we had to meet somewhere so did in the showhouses – I remember there was a balcony or walkway between the two rows of ‘ houses’ on display??
I remember well the Indy nights and raves at the Pavilion (1990s), and also the Sports Centre and Grovehill Discos. Snakebite & Black (now illegal to serve I believe??) in the Harrys, The Whip and Collar (pre K2) and the Living Room Nightclub being THE Place to go on a Thursday night – hard to believe that the ques to get in would sometimes be halfway down the town, and they had a guestlist too.- It was reopened for a while, but closed a few years ago and remains derelict.
I worked in the High Street from the age of 18, and Drank at The White Hart when it was a ‘goth’ pub run by Tim and Mary – anyone remember the ‘artists corner’ in the pub which was a tiny alcove with pictures in? – It was dedicated to a local artist (possibly Peter Waggon) – but I’m not sure. The Pub has since been refurbished, and I’m afraid to say lost all it’s old charm and character…
I remember are The Gift Box Shop by the famed Mural as my friend worked there for a while. I also remember being PETRIFIED as a child of walking past that mural – I think I’ve blocked it from memory as I can’t remember what it even looks like now!
I found this website as I’ve been doing some local research, and I’ve spent the last hour reading the posts, and remembering so much as you’ve jogged my memory…(how could I have forgotten the ‘hill’ in Gadebridge with the hole in it???!!!)
I have a Website, which (if anyones interested?!) has some tales of Hemel relating to its ghosts, myths and legends, most of these have been provided by Hemel residents past and present – but if anyone knows anymore please contact me so I can add them.
Thanks again for reminding me of my (often mispent!) youth in Hemel!
October 15th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I’m so old I remember when the Odeon opened. I think a Doctor in the house film or something.
I even went to the old cinema to see “The Time Machine” circa 1960
Went to Corner Hall (Boys) before the magic roundabout was built.
Lived in Anchor lane right opposite the Grammar School
Learnt to dance at the studio above, I think it was, Burtons in the Old town.
When I left Corner Hall I worked for the Electricity Board in the offices in Bridge Street
A long time ago
October 25th, 2010 at 12:14 am
I was born in Adeyfield in 1955 , i played in the old station on midland hlll ,it was closed at the time, My dad and i watched football at crabtree lane,we road our bikes down the duel carige way before it was open. I remember the town but could not recall the names,thank to all of you who filled in the blanks. Have just been back to hemel after moving in 84, bigest shock was the Bell at Apsley is a McDonalds. I met my wife at John Dickensons and we got married at St Marys old town 1980 Kim Weakley.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:09 am
So glad I stumbled across this site, wonderful memories! I was brought up in Hemel from 1963-1983, before marrying and moving to Milton Keynes with my job, but my family still live there.
Fond memories of the annual Carnival on August Bank Holiday, waiting along the packed roadside for the procession to pass through and then following it through the gates of Gadebridge Park for all the festivities, including the Red Devils (parachutists) and the fab funfair,where my Dad would treat me to a sneaky cider and then get told off by my Mum because it made me talk endlessly! lol
There was also a lovely open-air public paddling pool, very popular with young & old alike, think it might have closed now (health & safety) and fishing for ‘tiddlers’ in the nearby river.
I saw Showaddywaddy at the Pavilion in the 70’s, also recall the Saturday Morning Pictures, which wasn’t so much about the films really, as getting to go out with the kids from school and flirt with the boys! haha Evening films you always got 2 in those days… a shorter ‘rubbishy’ film (tho occasionally you’d get a good 1) followed by the main film.
Scamps turned into various different names over the years, I remember trying to get in with my b/f under-age, only to find my brother-in-law was a bouncer on the door! Terrified he would tell my Dad, but he just winked, nodded and got us in for free! On the way out, however, I’d had a little bit too much to drink, managed to make it down the HUGE flight of stairs to the door, but just as the fresh air hit me, I staggered down the ONE STEP leading outside, & fell flat on my face on the pavement! Heard my b/f whispering thru gritted teeth “Get up, Get up!” and moved my head sideways, to see a pair of big black boots – looking up – belonging to – yep, a policeman. “Is there a problem?” he asked. “No officer, of course not” b/f said, “she just tripped over the step”. Hmmm. How we got away with it, I’ll never know.
When I was a little girl, Mum used to take me shopping, I remember we always ended up at the Co-Op at one end of Marlowes for a cup of tea, we used to sit by the window overlooking the statue of the couple dancing in Waterhouse Gardens. They were naked, and I always thought it was very rude! The Co-Op also had the BEST visit to Santa ever, you went on a ride that was probably only a couple of minutes in total, but seemed long & very exciting to me in those days, with animated characters along the way.
Entering teen years, I regularly used to pass out whenever entering Marks & Spencers for some reason! I think it was the rush of hot air as soon as you walked in, got to the stage where if my Mum wanted to shop in there, she had to arrange for them to get me a chair so I could sit down somewhere, because if I stood up for too long I’d flake out.
I also remember the Knickerbocker Glorys at Wimpy, and the Seafarer restaurant where we often had fish & chips. Hated going food shopping with my parents, used to wile away the time by playing with the automatic door in Sainsburys, stepping on the mat to make it open, over and over and over… drove the staff mad!
I remember the bald-headed Hari Krishna guys in their sandals & orange sheets/robes who would sometimes congregate in the open area near Boots. Never understood what they were all about, but they were fascinating to watch when I was a kid.
One of my sisters worked at Shell Mex and BP, another for Commission for the New Towns, and my Dad worked for Sir Allen & Unwin Publishers in Paradise. I went to Bourne Valley School (which was Hemel’s version of St. Trinians, which pupils dangling others out of upper windows and so on), somehow managed to get out of there alive, just after I left they knocked it down to make a housing estate – probably for the best! Then I got a job at Abbey Motors, after that BSI in Maylands Avenue where I stayed for many years, and moved to MK with my job when they made their new headquarters there in 1983.
Used to drink at the Queens Head, Lawn Lane or the White Hart, Old Town. Played on the darts team for the Princes Arms, Boxmoor for a while (which is no longer there). Remember getting drunk and my mate trying to phone us a cab from a phone box, she put my arms around the pillar outside the Dolly Wash but I kept sliding down, hehe If we wanted to be really ‘posh’ we would go to the Waggon & Horses near the Co-Op!
Oh, many many memories of growing up in Hemel, we always moaned “There’s nothing to do!!!!!” and it was usually just cinema, pub or home in those days, but now they’ve introduced bowling & other stuff.
Your comments are all great, thanks for reminding me of things, it’s been a gr8 trip down memory lane!
January 7th, 2011 at 11:44 am
I was the Chief Projectionist at the old Luxor cinema and have lived in the town since 1940. Three years ago I produced along with Alan Willmott of Windjammer films, a 55 minute DVD made up from old photographs of Hemel Hempstead (many unpublished) and this shows the town as it was 70 years ago and the same places as they are today. my tel number is 01442 247797
Tony Rogers
May 4th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
I lived in Hemel late 70’s as a toddler to 1995 when I got married in St Mary’s. I remember the C0-OP down the end of town with a little ally next to it which had a home funishing shop on the other side. On the other side of the road was WH Smiths loved going in there for books that was until I did work expsirns in the book shop on the raised area near the market. Loved working in there it was a real treasure trove as I love reading. Our price was another shop I loved as could get tapes called ‘An Hour of …’ for about a £1. There was also a cafe call ‘Poppins’ which had lovely ice creams it was a treat to go there. I also loved going to the Whimpy and throwing pennies into the pond and making a wish. Next to woolworths was the slope up to the foot bridge over the road which would also lead to the toilets and on the other side of the slope was a chemist later changed to Superdrug. I loved Gift Box. Late 80’s the shop next to the whimpy was a clothes shop with an upstiars that lead onto the balcony.
There was a tready clothes shop over the road from Sainsburys on the cornor. I remember getting a jumper from there and my older sister trying to get me some clothes but had spent to much on her card that day. I was really upset.
I loved the market and remember the cafe near the bus station that did lovely milk shakes and just outside the stall on a Saturday was a aution bric a brac he would often ask who would give him 50p for a carrer bag that was empty and when you put your hand up he would feel it up I cried when he stop coming as would get my mums presents from there. I can’t really remember going shopping much with my mum I remember that you could walk right through Woolworths. I remember the Red Cross collecting in the gap next to Boots and doing an absail down the side of Boots.
Over the road in the watergardens near the police station there was a foot bridge over the river with a big grass bank up the side. The river came into a little point and me and my younger sister would jump over seeing how far up the river we could jump without falling it.
My fav place through was Gadebridge park with the paddling pool with the island in the middle pass that it was deep enough to swim. One summer before they feeled it I jumped of the island and landed on glass cutting my foot open. I also remember the grid climbing frame that was taller than my mum. It was a sad day when they got rid of the park and made it “safe” weres the fun in that.
I would love some photos of Gadebridge park to show my kids if anyone has any
January 21st, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Everyone here u must go 2 FB Hemel Hempstead Remembered, u’ll LOVE IT!!!
January 27th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
I moved to Hemel at the age of 3 months from London in 1953….have so many memories of Hemel in those early days. It was a great place to grow up and I have fond memories of the Town Centre. Does anyone remember Tee Vee Services on the ramp? ..and in the town : Times furnishing, yes the Wimpy Bar, Timothy Whites, Rumbelows, Hiltons (shoe shop) Finlay’s coffee upstairs (managed by old ladies). VisionHire, British Relay Television. Wagon and Horses pub..The delicatessan that was next to Quality House was called ‘Bird’.
The question I have never had answered by anyone is : Why was the ‘Pavilion’ knocked down. Would love to know….I spent a lot of my school summer holidays at Churchills Swimming Pool. I remember the water gardens being well maintained and looked great (not now Im afraid). I went to Apsley Grammar school and ironically have returned to Apsley having spent 20 years in Berkshire. Its still good to be back !
March 12th, 2012 at 6:05 am
I found this blog when looking up Hemel Hempstead photos and i was blown away by the same childhood memories that so many others have that i do. I was born in our council house in Barnacres Road Bennets End in 1963 and emigrated to Australia in 1969, before retuning in1971 and then returning again to Australia in Nov 79. So there were many periods of my childhood in Hemel. I went to Hobbs Hill infant school both before and after OZ and then went to Hemel Secondary School. My Nan lived her whole life in Apsley mostly opposite ‘Dickinsons’ and then futher down opposit Kent Brushes, next door to my grandads favorite pub The oddfellows.
Like the people above i remember so well Seafarer Fish and Chips although i thought it was Seafare.Also Wimpey with the ramp and Pond.
I also remember the Odeon cinema and Sat pictures ,i used to go with my sister and our friends on the bus to the Sat cinema and remember taking my record to be played and danced to it on stage.
I was also in the car with my mum at the magic roundabout the day it opened with some person standing on top of scaffolding set up in the middle and at 9.00am he blew the whistle and everyone went.(brilliant design).
I remember getting crcket pads and gloves at Peter Spivey and all the other stores people have mentioned bring back great memories of school days.
I have lived in Sydney now for over 30 years but still return to uk / Europe each Northern summer for holdays. I have stayed in contact with a friend from School who still lives there near the Mayflower. I like others think it’s sad to see Hemel look the way it does today, particularly with so many vacant shops and it just doesn’t have the character i remember, which was all brought back reading the blogs above.
My wife and kids are facebook addicts, but its not my scene, or is writing on these blogs, but this really got me, so thank you Sue and all.
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
We, the geman football club from VfB 08 Lünen, was 1963 for a short break guest from FC Bennetts End youth football team. It was for us, age 16/17 years, a great time. I remember the youth club in Bennetts End and the wonderful boys and girls. Perhaps somebody remember us?
April 19th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Thank you for those memories – they brought it al back so vividly!I stumbled onto Flibbertigibbet looking for photos of Gadebridge Park playground in the 1970s to show my daughter – does anyone have some they could post? I grew up in Hemel and my mum still lives there in the same street. We now live in Hawaii. My daughter loves to visit Gadebridge Park whenever we come to the UK and I was describing to her how it used to look when I was growing up and the concept of health and safety was a long way in the future! Does anyone remember the hill around 2 sides of the park, with the tunnels through it? The two slides (one for smaller kids, one for big ones) that you climbed up to on up-ended logs? The big climbing-frame, the withes hat, the paddling-pool and ( I think these were there for a while after the park was modernised) the old see-saw and metal horse? I spent hours of my childhood in that playground, and in the park. We used to dare each other to cross over the slippery weirs and then play hide-and seek in the beds of flowering bushes on the other side. So many memories…
April 19th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Zoe, I recommend you look at the Hemel Hempstead Remembered page on Facebook. There are photos of Gadebridge Park and lots of other interesting old pics and memories on there.
May 2nd, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Thanks for the memories here. Hemel Hempstead is my home town and we used to live in Hobbs Hill Raod, Wheelers Lane, Allandale Raod, and latterly, Boxmoor.
I went to school at Bennets End Secondary Modern. Before Belswains Junior Mixed and Infants.
I worked for three years at John Dickenson and Son. First job when leaving school at 15 in 1965. The Addressograph Multigraph on Maylands avenue for six years. 1965 to 1974.
I was sorry to hear how much Marlowes has changed. Especially the back area of it and the gardens. So many childhood memories.
Is the Kodak training school still in Gadebridge Park? You mention the originally Kodak building being made into flats.
As to shops, I remember Timothy Whites, the Odeon where as a family we went many times. Also the Library. Hopkinson the Dentist (!!). Also the old High Street at the top end of the town and the car show room up on the left hand side. Also a lovely couple who operated a very small radio shop on the left hand side at the top. I used to build radios and got the Practical Wireless magazine, and Wireless World.
I also did weekend security work at Kodak Training school in Gadebridge Park and a very erie place it could be as well. Luckily I did not do the night shift. A school teacher from Harrow School for Girls, used to do that. He brought his marking along with him. Rather him than me walking down those empty echooe corridoes late at night I can tell you.
I was trying to find out what happened to Tailor Mckenna toy shop in the High Street. Used to buy Minic Motorway items their. A piece of the track every week.
So many memories. My late sister used to go to Corner Hall School, before she became a teacher. My late father being an Aircraft Inspector at British Aerospace at Hatfield. Before that with Hawker Siddley.
So many memories. But thanks to everybody for sharing yours as well on this web page.
June 20th, 2012 at 7:51 am
Thanks for the lovely memories. i was born in hemel in 1957. If you don’t already know this i heartily recommend FACEBOOK GROUP – HEMEL HEMPSTEAD REMEMBERED, which has just under 3000 members. There are wonderful old photo’s of Hemel Hempstead and lots of shared stories from local people.
i’m sure you’d love it.
it’s an open group so i think you can just join it. Here is the weblink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209098622510412/
August 27th, 2012 at 4:51 am
Hi, can anyone remember what the statue was, that sat in the pond at the bottom of the ramp, under the Wimpy?
August 31st, 2012 at 3:48 pm
It’s fascinating to read people’s memories of Hemel town centre in the 60’s and 70’s. I moved there with my parents and sister in 1957 and left in 1972 when I got married. My memories of growing up in the town are wonderful – right through the 60’s with the brilliant explosion of music from the Beatles and Stones and many many others as the musical backdrop.
I remember going to Hemel Pavilion many times to see, amongst others – Cream, Paul & Barry Ryan, Errol Brown, The Troggs etc. When I was 16 I had a Saturday job working in Woolworths. I worked in the warehouse and used to empty the bins from behind the store counters on a regular basis. I remember Garlands, Timothy Whites, Times Furnishing, Seafarer, Wimpey bar (where my sister used to work on a Saturday), the Odeon, Woolworths of course.
I also remember Sainsburys – in particular their cheese counter. They used to have the old huge wooden blocks with huge pieces of cheddar and the old-fashioned wire cutters with a piece of wood at the end. The staff member would pull the wire over the cheese and downwards to cut through it like a, well, like a knife!
October 14th, 2012 at 9:58 am
It as been nice looking at the pics of Hemel. I lived in Long Chaulden from 1960 to 1970 when I left to join the army.
November 24th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Born in Hemel 1951 – transported to the Colonies in 1974.
Enjoyed reading your blog – was back in Aug briefly. Enjoyed walking along the Canal towpath through Boxmoor and visiting some of the surviving local pubs.
Early memories include the steam train crossing the viaduct across Marlowes – used to be a park and paddling pool where Kodak building is now.
Working at JD’s and the Pavilion Bar at night – Sunday nights at the Californian Ballroom Dunstable. Country pubs and summer lunchtime swims at Churchill Pools – or cycling over to Deer Leap at Ashridge. Happy Days.
As for shops, one I do remember was the Express Dairy outlet on the ramp -they had a machine which splogged whipped cream onto Sponge Cake. Yum
February 10th, 2013 at 2:47 am
louise the statue in the pond under the wimpy bar was a duck billed platypus and a kangaroo i think! and last i knew they had relocated it to the water gardens behind the old market place somewhere on the islands there. what happened to the beautiful naked man statue in bank court? is it still there?
hamilton sound on the ramp with it’s listening booths – my dad bought me my first 45 there, ‘dont you worry ’bout a thing’ stevie wonder! my sister and i got all glammed up and went to see The Sweet open Tyme Music in lawn lane. churchills open air swimming pool, dolcis, snob’s saloon bar changing room doors, there was a library up on the top by the wimpy bar before they moved it to by the pavilion.
nearly cried when i saw the photo of the odeon inside on the hemel fb page, so so sad. i loved that cinema it was HUGE. you could smoke JPS on the left hand side and your mum would never know.
February 17th, 2013 at 11:47 am
country casuals was sort of opposite sainsburys near the walkway that went over the high street, there was a barbers in the same road as millets. do you remember the dry cleaners at the top of selden hill? was selden hill where they built the ‘new sainsburys and boots?’ did they flatten it out? you used to be able to drive up there to the open car park at the back.
you could walk out the back of boots and sainsburys and woolworths too. at the side of the co-op there was the coal board shop. and near the old post office was the electricity showroom and opposite that on the ramp was a ladybird children’s clothes shop and a shoe shop called john farmer. by the market there was an independent jewellers i think.
can anyone remember what was before craftsmith?
March 4th, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Visited Hemel a few years ago.
Both my old primary schools – Fields End and Boxmoor Country in St John’s Road – had been demolished and built over.
Made me feel rather old.
March 14th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Great memories, Lived in Oliver rd 1959 to 1974, Went to Belswains school then on to Corner Hall girls. Remember Lord Louis Mountbatten coming to relaunch the school as a comprehensive. Enjoyed sport facilities there especially hockey. Even went bowling as part of 5th form P.E. Lessons.
Great fun at methodist youth club in old town great trips to London with them.You could spend all day at Churchills open air swiming baths. Remember think called wadkins bakery near the canal used to get 1p loaves to walk home with. Also Vicks grocers in Belswains lane my bro used to be delivery boy on bike.
Great walksuo from st Marys in Apsley to Shedish, bluebells in the woods & of course watching the steam trains at Apsley stn.
Followed my dad and worked at GPO telephone exchange & watched the opening of magic rounabout from there. They had a few practise runs before the actual day.
Agree the water gdns need a revamp & remember getting my car stuck on bottom the round multi story with the ball when home on leave from the WRAF.
Thanks for the memories. M.
April 11th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Great reading everyone’s memories of HH. I moved to HH in 1954 as a 1 year old and later, remember the railway bridge at the entrance to The Marlowes. It was knocked down to make way for the Shell building, which eventually collapsed forcing an immediate evacuation from the building. It never re-opened and was eventually pulled down.
I spent all day at Churchill’s pool during the summer and remember getting a season ticket for 6 bob. You could jump, dive and splash in those days (I was too young for petting).
I was one of the first to join the Mickey Mouse club at the Odeon when it opened. I presume this was the Saturday morning cinema club for kids. I remember the long queues around the building guarded by the wpc who kept order. The manager used to call people up on stage who were celebrating a birthday.
Later, while still at Corner Hall Boys School, I worked at Baxters the butchers in the Old town, with two blokes, John (manager) and Syd. I was paid £1 per week and was given a 10 bob tip from John. That enabled entrance to the Pavilion on Saturday nights.
I then worked at Woolworths in the town. I had the heady responsibility of stocking up the bread and veg counters then collecting the rubbish when I ran out of stock. The floor was wood and needed sweeping with wide brooms after we’d spread wet sawdust on the floor to keep the dust down.
I also remember Wadkins bakery and the “scrap bread” bin that you could help yourselves to. This was on the way to the canal and Apsley then onto Shendish. It always seemed a long steep walk up the hill and gave me the impression of some kind of sanctuary when we got there. I remember there were some exotic looking plants in the garden, some like giant rhubarb.
I was an apprentice at Rotax (later renamed Lucas Aerospace) in Maylands Avenue and went to Dacorum college before leaving the town in 1974 to join the RAF. I married Lesley at HH registry office and we now live in Cheshire close to our 2 children, Rob and Sarah and our 2 grandchildren Lily and Margot.
I’ll post more as I remember, at 60 the grey matter is a little cloudy.
April 11th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Lovely to read your memories Jim, very interesting. I remember Shendish as a place to walk on Sundays with friends, it was very peaceful round there. I worked at Lucas Aerospace for a short time in the 90’s funnily enough before moving away. Hope to hear more of your memories sometime.
April 12th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I lived in Hemel from 57 to 74.
As a kid I remember Taylor and McKennas – I still have a 00 guage train from there with 10′ 6d hand written on the box. The two places I remember from the smell was the fishmongers down towards the shell building with its big tin box full of eels on the pavement and the Dry Cleaners at the top of the ramp near the Wimpy Bar.
In my teens I spent many hours in the record shop next to the market and meeting girls in Findlays cafe and going out bowling. I worked a Saturday job in the Butchery Dept at Sainsburys, I remember a long treck up the hill to West Herts Hospital when I sliced my finger open and the department being raided by police one morning around 8am to arrest one of my coworkers for child sex offenses.
Spent many evenings at the Pavillion watching some of the latest bands. I remember Nazareth, Rory Galagher, Man, and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown. We used to have a pint or two at the Plough in Leverstock Green (they weren’t fussy about yor age) and a chinese from across from the Pavillion before going in.
Happy days.
After I left I have never been back, I did look at Google street view and am amazed at how much it has changed
April 15th, 2013 at 6:31 am
The grey clouds are clearing. Someone mentioned Hamilton Sound and it triggered a memory. When I started as an apprentice at Rotax, there was a fellow apprentice called Graham Hamilton whose Dad owned Hamilton Sound on the ramp. I remember the place opening amidst a blaze of publicity with Eden Cane arriving on a horse drawn carriage, loads of girls screaming and Eden looking very pleased with himself. Graham didn’t stay with the apprentice scheme very long and went to work in the music shop for his dad.
Someone also mentioned the viaduct at the entrance to The Marlowes. There was a children’s play park there on the corner (which is now covered by the majic roundabout). My Mum used to let me play there whenever we went shopping. I would have been about 4 years old.
My friend Greg Warwick used to live in the old town in the last house on the left before you got to Gadebridge Park. His was a white 3 storey house with a cellar that we converted to a den. When the fair came to the park we would climb over his back wall to get in for free.
Finally, for this one, I used to frequent the White Hart every Thursday evening for a drink with my apprentice colleagues and girlfriends. The police often came to visit as did the Salvation Army withThe War Cry, something to read on the bus going home.
Did anyone else go to Corner Hall Boys School? Anyone remember the teachers. Holy Joe (Mr. Church) the Headmaster, Spike (Mr. Jones) the deputy Head, Muskrat who encouraged bad behaviour and eventually ran off with the savings club money, Mr. Brown the diminutive art teacher, ‘Fanny’ King the nasty maths teacher that made you stand up in front of the class if you didn’t understand. On one occasion some boys hid the Head’s brand new lecturn up in the rafters of the new hall and he never found it for about 3 days, it was above his head in plain view all the time.
Keep it coming, there must be lots more.
Jim
May 3rd, 2013 at 7:07 pm
My family moved down from Preston for work. That was in 1967 and I lived there until I left in 1981. Taylor and McKenna was my second home. Went to Nash Mills Primary School and Kings Langley Comp. Loads and loads of memories that are so long ago now. Like running headlong into the water gardens whilst smiling and waving at my doting father’s camera. He knew what was about to happen!
June 22nd, 2013 at 2:52 am
My mum and dad moved to Hemel from London in 1958. I was very young but remember the farmland behind our new house in Boxted Road, Warners End (lots of fun playing in wheat fields). I later went to Cuthbert Maine School and to St. Albert the Great when we moved to Little Road in Adeyfield. There was another bike shop apart from Halfords, as I remember, just down the road (Marlowes) from the Odeon in the early 60s (when the Odeon replaced the Luxor in the Marlowes). Next door to the Luxor was Woolworths. There was also an electrical shop that sold electric guitars a few doors down, which helped shape my future musical career (the name escapes me). I remember Mountfield Road where my cousins lived, and all the fields behind it, as well as the trains that ran along the line that crossed the bridge over Queendway. My dad drove buses from Two Waters LT garage before he worked at Kodak with my mum, who was a personnel officer in the Maylands Avenue factory. I went to Hemel Grammer but worked at Kodak in the holidays. We later moved to Leverstock Green Road. I have Google Earth photos of several areas to remind me of home as I now live in New Zealand. And I should add that Taylor and McKenna had a fine selection of Hornby Dublo, Corgis and Dinkys.
June 23rd, 2013 at 11:26 am
I moved to Hemel Hempstead from Harrow in 1971 when I was promoted to Service Manager in Visionhire in The Marlowes located next door to” Birds” Delicatessent
I actually bought the Show house in St Agnells Lane, Grove Hill for £7500-00p.This was when the Grove Hill estate had just been finished and was a nice area to live in, on the outside of town. I had an apprentice where I worked and I serviced those large wooden cabinet colour TV’s. I needed the apprentice with me because they were so heavy to move. I remember these TV,s retailed at around £500-00p and the service van I drove cost about £600 new. Now a van costs about £7000-00p and a 26 inch Colour TV costs about £250-00p. These early TV’s wern’t very reliable so many people rented them.
In many areas of Hemel, it was difficult to get a good enough picture for these new colour TV’s because Hemel Town is in a dip so you couldn’t receive signals from Crystal Palace 30 miles away in London so we had to rely on the local Bedmond Transmiter. Our aerial contractors hated erecting arials in the town centre because of the” Picture Ghosting” caused by the new KODAK building.
I worked in that Visionhire shop until 1978 and by then there were 6000 rental subscribers and I had 5 engineers. I loved driving around the Hemel area and surrounding countryside area and spent many a lunch break by the nearby watergardens where there was a statue of a couple Jiving.
About the year 1977, I remember being asked to instal several 25 inch colour TV’s in SCAMPS disco just along from Visionhire in the Marlowes. The idea was that these TV’s would show the video’s of the pop songs that were just being produced. The pictures to the TV’s were fed from the latest technical development which was a Philips Video Disc player. These discs where 12 inch analouge laser discs the forunner of much smaller DVD’s. I am now retired and live in High Wycombe and still service my 42inch Plasma TV
June 24th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I am looking for old post office corner in lawn lane/cedar walk, Hemel Hempstead photo.
August 25th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Hi, I’ve just come across these posts whilst looking for ‘what’s on in Hemel on August Bank Holiday!!
Thanks for all your memories of Hemel. My parents moved here from Neasden in 1950 and lived and stayed in Windmill Road, until they both passed away. I met and got married here at St Mary’s church in the old high street.
I too have lovely memories of Hemel, particularly in the late 60’s and 70’s! I have a good memory, but had forgotten some of the shops that have been flagged up.
I remember the Wimpy bar on the ramp, spent a few Saturday afternoons there with girlfriends, filling our faces. Hemel market was thriving back then and usually managed to get a trendy outfit for Saturday night at the Top Rank Suite.
Since I’ve lived here for so long I am saddened to see the way Hemel has deteriorated. Such a shame that the powers that be don’t put their money where their mouths are and inject some new life into Hemel. Both my son and daughter moved from Hemel some years ago and both they and their families don’t feel the need to move back.
Anyway, love to hear any more memories you have.
LOL
Lesley
August 26th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Hi I lived in Kings Langley from 1957 to 1981 We allways went shopping on a Saturday along with everyone else, it used to be packed with people. Does any one remember the butchers in the high street that sold the live eels in a large bucket. I can remember being fasinated by them.
September 11th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
A nice couple of British Pathe clips are to be found at:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/old-town-face-lift-aka-hemel-hempstead-new-town/query/Hemel+hempstead
and at
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/hemel-hempstead/query/Hemel+hempstead
Both show film of Hemel in the ’60s but much remains the same into the next decade. Good to see some of the Marlowes, as it was back then. The town looks smart and thriving.
October 26th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Born in Hemel 1953 lived in Bathurst Rd. Went to Highfield School..
November 1st, 2013 at 11:46 pm
I came to Hemel as a child with my family in 1969. I remember the bakery on the ramp that sold wonderful rum barbas and the Co-Op on the corner near the Wagon and Horses. Clothes shops – Jean Junction, Richards, Biba. The China Garden restaurant.
December 14th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
I have fond memories of Rumbaba in the Wimpy. and the Bowling Alley along with the local bikers. I remember Taylor McKennas used to have an enormous range of puppets on the left of the ground floor. I believe I remember a Dorothy Perkins in Hemel, but I might be wrong. There used to be a fantastic kebab van that parked outside the Civic Centre at night, they were lovely. The Pavillion was a real gem, I read they demolished it because it wasn’t inclusive enough, but I remember their programme being incredibly diverse. I remember Bennetts Gate having a great range of shops too, back in the days of the Golden Cockerilm who used to have a takeout door, I remember taking deposited bottles back in exchange for crisps as a kid. Thanks for the memories everyone.
February 8th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Thoroughly fascinating read above. More memories at Hemel Hempstead … I Remember https://www.facebook.com/groups/hp1hp2hp3
May 13th, 2014 at 1:54 pm
I have some amazing memories of hemel .. I was born in boxted road in 1970
schooled at hammond and grove hill ..
got drunk in the venture and crabtee in adeyfield …
and today is the 30th anniversary that i left the most beautiful amazing woman slip away from my hands.. ever since i was 13 i have thought about her every day..
i was young and foolish …
now i am old and full of regrets ..
love you forever Debbie
slderham@yahoo.co.uk
May 20th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Hi, I was born in ST Paul’s Hospital in 1950 and remember Hemel Hempstead before it became a New Town. Just the Old Town and lots of open fields to play in, the field behind our house used to bloom each spring and was covered in Michaelmas Daises, what a lovely sight. We even had a train that ran over a lovely old viaduct, they blew that up to make room for the New Town. Slowly the green fields disappeared during my childhood and the New Town came into being. We lived in Mountfield Road, Adeyfield and I had to ride my bike to pick up groceries for Mum at Queens Square, no fridge in those days so did that very frequently. Buses and Trains were the primary way to get about as not many folks had cars and we managed just fine. I have lots of fond memories of Hemel and I met my wife their and my folks were laid to rest their. I am now a U.S citizen and live in the USA.
May 21st, 2014 at 6:40 am
Hello Brian. I moved to Hemel as a 1 year old in 1954. My Mum used to walk me from Nash Mills, through Apsley to Hemel town to do the shopping and I remember the viaduct that was knocked down to make way for the Shellmex building. I’m sure I recall steam trains going over the viaduct and there was a small kiddies play park just there.
The Shellmex building was eventually demolished as it started to break up due to its foundations being undermined by the River Gade.
May 29th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
This is a wonderfully evocative thread for a Hemel exile like me, prompted by an amazingly detailed initial post – you either have a photographic memory or you were taking copious notes! Thanks for the memories. I’m not sure there is much that I can add, other than to confirm Jim and Brian’s recollection of steam trains crossing the viaduct that stood where the Shellmex building was built. The viaduct took the old branch line that ran from Hemel out to Redbourne and Harpenden – where it connected with the main line to Luton – over the road and the mighty River Gade to the terminus, Heath Park Halt, a single platform station set on an embankment overlooking what was then the cricket ground. Indeed, there was another station on that line in Hemel – up at Midland Road – which also served as a coal depot. An aunt of mine once travelled to Hemel from Kent, with the last leg of the trip on this line – a journey only marginally quicker than the Trans-Siberian railway. Apart from my exhausted Aunt, I never knew of anyone travelling on the line and it was axed in the 50s long before Dr Beeching got started. There was, however, something quintessentially 1950s about a steam train sat on an embankment and billowing smoke as the back-drop to a cricket match.
I hope all goes well with all of you and that life has been good.
June 22nd, 2014 at 12:40 am
Who remembers what the nightclub was called by Hemel station
July 1st, 2014 at 3:38 am
Deb asked what nightclub next to Hemel Station was called. In 1974 it was the ‘Railway’ pub, I remember the publicans daughter Lorraine and a younger brother who used to sneak into the bar in his PJ’s. They were a nice family – guess it became a nightclub later on and then pulled down at some stage.
The Mallard – a busy and not bad Eatery is there now (at least it was 2 years ago when I last visited Hemel from NZ).
Brian Pratt. Auckland
July 10th, 2014 at 4:20 am
Worked as a locum pharmacist for boots at Timothy whites 1968/69. Would like to know the whereabouts of the manager at that time. His name was mr Watkins mps.
July 28th, 2014 at 10:11 am
What amazing memories. My parents moved to Kings Langley in 1958 when I was four. I went to Two Waters School, and remember so well the little parade of shops immediately next door, especially the place (think it was the front of a snooker club) where you could buy Wagon Wheels. I then went to Corner Hall Girls, so Hemel was the place everyone went. The Pavilion was indeed demolished, but what great nights we had there. Saw Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, Amen Corner, and many others. Also remember the parade of shops almost opposite the cinema where Ricardo’s hairdresser was (my mum would have her hair shampood and set there every Friday afternoon) and also an old fashioned dress shop called Albertas. Very well remember Snob with the saloon type changing rooms. Also remember Southerton’s vets, very near Peter Spivey.
So changed now, inevitably
Wendy
August 10th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Hi all 1951 till now born st pauls lived levy green then adeyfield anybody remember duffys fish and chip shop up the old town only enough room for about three customers,dinkey dells the toy shop and the willow tree cafe.Also any one remember the arts centre i worked their from early seventies into nineties great gigs on friday nights.As for the pavilion how did they get away with knocking it down was the bar snooks that was open sundays.
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Hello. Stumbled across this (isn’t that always the case) whilst looking for my old school Corner Hall School for Boys. Couldn’t find any photographs except one similar to what I remembered but called Corner Hall Grammar School. Was that the same place? I’m sure it was. I lived in Hemel from 1956 (moving from Walthamstow in London, then aged three) until 1982 when I moved jobs to the West Country where I now reside. We moved into a new house in leafy Adeyfield later upgrading to a bigger house in Bennetts End. When I got married we bought a house in Grove Hill. My mother and sister still live there so I visit (quite) often!
Anyway interesting read and thanks for the memories!
August 25th, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Hi Sue
Amazing!
Bet you didn’t think this would be going strong seven years later.
Brilliant site and a goldmine for local historians.
My Hemel C.V.
Arrived October 1950 aged 17 months. 1 year Mayland infants school, 5 years Broadfield J.M.I then Apsley Grammar School. 1st job at M.O.T. accounts Albion Court, then F.J.Bacon Ltd Mark Road followed by Tyreservices G.B. Paradise. Now work in Watford but still live in the house we came to in 1950.
I am the librarian for the Hemel Hempstead Local History and Museum Society.
Will be back with memories and hopefully some photos when I have a free evening.
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