Redbourn
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| Redbourn | |
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| OS Grid Reference: | Template:Gbmappingsmall |
| Administration | |
| District: | St Albans |
| County: | Hertfordshire |
| Region: | East of England |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Hertfordshire |
| Traditional County: | Hertfordshire |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | ST ALBANS |
| Postcode: | AL3 |
| Dialling Code: | 01852 |
Redbourn is a village in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, roughly 5 miles from St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Markyate, and 3 miles from Harpenden. It has a population of around 6,000.
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History
The village has been settled at least since Saxon times and it is recorded in the Domesday Book. Around fifty years after its Norman Church was built, 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 St. Amphibalus, the priest who converted St. Alban to Christianity.
Local enterprise
Redbourn was, for a long time, the centre of a farming community and for a time had a successful watercress business. Silk throwing was carried out at Woolhams 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. After closing their factory in 1996 the old Silk manager’s house was donated as the village museum. 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 maunfacturer. 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.
Coaching and other transport
During the coaching era, Rebourn 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 London 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. The first bus service through the village started in 1908 though buses took some years to become established.
Miscellany
- 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.
- Redbourn was Hertfordshire Village Of The Year, 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.
- Redbourn Care Group, a local charity, was a 2003 Queen's Golden Jubilee Award Winner.
- The Chequers pub, the best known local hostelery, was serious damaged by fire in December 2004.
Reference
Alan Featherstone, Rebourn History, ISBN 0-9541948-0-2
See also
External links
- Redbourn Official Website (http://www.redbourn.org.uk)
- Photos (http://www.redbourn.org.uk/twiki/bin/view/Redbourn/GeofWebbsRedbournCollection)