IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Austins Mead, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HP3 0LH

Chiltern Way crosses Chipperfield Road to head up Austins Mead

This information board is located in Chipperfield Road HP3 0JN opposite Austins Mead and is maintained by Bovingdon Parish Council. It has the following wording: WELCOME TO BOVINGDON VILLAGE The settlement of Bovingdon dates from the 1200s when the forest was cleared and arable farming began. The village gradually grew over the centuries eventually appearing in its present form in the 1900s. You are standing on Chipperfield Road this was formally known as Blacksmiths Hill, the village forge being located near Farriers Close. The house called 'The Close' was purpose built in the 1840's as our village school; this was outgrown in the 1920's when it relocated to the High Street. Adjacent to the old school, Austins Mead housing was built for the RAF serving at Bovingdon Airfield post WW2, the RAF moved out in the 1970's. Prior to this, the field was used by Bovingdon Football Club. Left column Photo: Bovingdon School 1910 - Infants Class Photo: Bovingdon Forge in the 1900s Photo: main village blacksmith, by the 1920s repairing cars Middle column Image of house Map of the southern part of Bovingdon village Photo: Druce butchers circa 1900, original telephone number 5 Right column Photo: Bull Cottages in Church Street once housed the Post Office. Circa 1912, it shows Mr & Mrs Burgin and their staff. They also operated the first village telephone exchange. Photo: Up to the 1930s roads were made of earth, flints/stones; they were wet and muddy in winter, dry and dusty in summer. Women, as shown in the photo, would pick stones from the fields which men would break and place in the potholes. Photo: Floods have often occurred at the junction of Chipperfield Road and the High Street, so much so the area is known as 'The Docks'. This picture is pre- WW1, the earliest recorded flood was in 1634 and the latest 2016.

Located in Chipperfield Road HP3 0JN, this information board is maintained by Bovingdon Parish Council and has the following wording: WELCOME TO BOVINGDON VILLAGE The settlement of Bovingdon dates from the 1200s when the forest was cleared and arable farming began. Dwellings were clustered around individual farms, all being served by St Lawrence Church est. in 1235. The village gradually grew over centuries eventually appearing in its present form in the 1900s. The Americans arriving in WW2 to serve at the newly constructed airfield brought about the largest single change to the village, staying until the 1960s. Left column Photo Bovingdon c1907 In between the school and the Memorial Hall was the 1930s Fire Station, the original volunteer fire brigade formed in the 1920s used a shed. This fire brigade served the village until 2006 when it was closed and the building incorporated into our Memorial Hall. Photo: Bovingdon Fire Brigade Armistice Day 1930s The heart of the village contained 3 pubs, 17th century Bell, Wheatsheaf and Bull. Photo: Village Centre 1907 Middle Column Photo: Ladybirds entry Bovingdon Revels 2000 Photo: Maypole Dancing, Flower Show c1910 Map of Bovingdon village Photo: Millennium Village Sign Bovingdon's most well known feature is the Ryder Memorial. This memorial commemorates Granville Ryder, a great village benefactor. It was built in 1881 as a well cover for a hand pump. Photo: Granville Ryder Photo: Ryder Memorial c.1909 Right Column Photo: Bovingdon High Street c1928 Halfway down the High Street you are opposite our new school circa 1927, previously the school house was in Chipperfield Road. Photo: Mid High Street c1910 Next door stands Bovingdon Memorial Hall 1921; this is the village's memorial to those who died in World War One. The hall was built by public subscription on land donated by Granville Ryder. Image: St Lawrence Church St Lawrence Church rebuilt in 1840s, standing in the third largest churchyard in Hertfordshire.

Bovingdon was once a centre of straw plaiting for hatmakers in Luton. Looking south eastwards down the High Street, The Bell is the near public house on the left, with The Bull the next building but one.

Bovingdon's most recognisable landmark is the five-sided Old Well at the junction of Green Lane with the High Street. An inscription around the arches reads "This house with the well is dedicated to ye beloved memory of Ye Honourable Granville D Ryder, late of Westbrook Hay of this Parish, who was born on November 26th 1799 and died on November 24th 1879, and was raised by his relatives for the use and comfort of his friends. The Village of Bovingdon April 1881". Needless to say the well is now sealed...

The catch on this kissing gate was jammed.