Hatfield Local History Society
From Hetfelle to Hatfield 1000 years of history
By Christine Martindale
Hatfield Local History Society is an association of people interested in the history of Hatfield.
Our aims and objectives are:
- To encourage and undertake research into Hatfield’s history.
- To produce publications on aspects of Hatfield’s history and to establish a database of information for future.
- To provide a forum for the exchange of information.
- To arrange meetings and to produce a quartely newsletter
Meetings. Meetings are held for members, to which the public are also invited. We have had interesting talks given by members and visiting speakers, subjects recently have included the history of mechanical organs (centre picture), a local VC-holder and Roman archaeology. We have between eight to ten meetings a year which are held at Friendship House, Wellfield Close, Hatfield, alternating between afternoons and evenings to facilitate attendance.
Newsletter. We publish a newsletter each quarter relating the activities of the group and the progress of projects which are current. Members’ letters and comments are also included as are articles by members and other people relating to the happenings and reminiscences of life in Hatfield.
Click here to visit the History Page
Visit our web site www.hatfieldhistory.uk
Publications. The Society has published numerous booklets on Hatfield’s history. For a full list of publications and membership forms please visit our website www.hatfieldhistory.uk
You can also see a full list of publications on the Hertfordfshire Genealogy website
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Roe Hill House – Information from Hatfield and Its People Bk 2 The Story of Roe Green and South Hatfield. “The house was built in 1905 and the first occupier was Mr. Oliver Bury, a director of the Great Northern Railway. It is alleged that the 9.09am train was run for his benefit and it continues at that time to this day. He use to ride in his carriage to the station where a First Class carriage stood waiting opposite the entrance – when he was aboard the train started.”
Additional information – during WW2 the house became a training camp for the women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service branch of the Home Guard where they were given instructions on operating searchlights. After the war it became a camp for people waiting to be rehoused after WW2. In the 1960’s Roe Hill House became a youth club.
Hi, I lived at no: 1 Roe Hill Close, from 1956-1972. At the end of the close was a mansion called Roe Hill House, I used to go to the youth club there and later my mother worked there as a cook when it had been turned into a drug rehab centre. Can anyone tell me the early history of the place, who built it and who owned it, how old was it? Such a shame it was knocked down for flats. But any information would be greatly appreciated please email me.
I have lived in Hatfield since I was 2 years old; now I am 69 years old. I came to hatfield in 1949 and lived at East Lodge by now what is called Tesco’s roundabout. I have seen a lot of changes, some good and a lot bad. The main town was Old Hatfield. When I was 11, we moved to South Hatfield when it was still being built. Roads were gravel tracks, houses unfinished and the shops were in house in a close off Hazel Grove. I went to school in Traveller’s Lane to St Audrey’s. We had to walk down a gravel track as the North Down Road houses were not built, yet very good days.
Hello, I have been researching a searchlight unit that was based at Hatfield Aerodrome for a while in 1940 and found this information which may be of interest from the unit’s war diary held at the National Archives (WO 166/3329). Kind regards, Julian Salmon. 10 August 1940: Three bombs dropped by E.A. 0030hrs Night 9/10 Aug. Two H.E. (probably 100kg):- i) Hatfield Aerodrome O.S. 95 1 inch M.R. 653286 ii)Nr. Oak Farm, Andings(?) March, Sandridge Lane. O.S. 106 Watford 1 inch M.R. 627282. One unexploded bomb:- Beech Farm, O.S.106 Watford 1 inch M.R. 635288. Dealt with by Bomb Disposal Section. Hertford. Weight of bomb 560lbs.