Smallford on Mud

Readers of this blog may have wondered why there was no new post last weekend.  The reason was a busy and very successful St Albans and District Local History Network Conference, the second such event to be held at Verulamium Museum.  The day was packed with a most interesting and varied programme of presentations from those engaged in projects around the district.  There was a report by District Archaeologist Simon West about the recent discovery of a hoard of gold coins.  Chris Green gave a fascinating report about his research, over a number of years, about the Old Town Hall.  New and existing books were reported on, and we were fortunate to be able to dip into developments at Redbourn Museum.  Just a few of the 18 talks to a lecture room full of excited people.

I must mention one more, because Smallford Residents' Association is planning an interesting future on two fronts.  It intends to create a history group and develop a range of stories based on the hamlet.  It also has an interest in the former railway station building adjacent to Alban Way and now largely hidden from view by undergrowth.  Fortunately it is also protected by boundary fencing and the fact that it finds itself on privately owned property.  On Monday of last week a group of us were able to make a visit – hence the caption Smallford on Mud – and gain access to the neat little timber structure and to the former stationmaster's house.  I listened while enthusiastic members of SRA spoke of their intention to renovate the station, and their plans for future uses further down the line – as it were!










Now, this time last year I opened an invitation to order a special limited edition version of Volume 1 of the book.  As those who purchased it will know, the otherwise-identical edition was a burgundy clothbound book with gold lettering, separate illustrated jacket and ribbon marker.  Each purchaser had a unique number printed in the front and their name added to the list of subscribers.

The time has come to repeat this opportunity for Volume 2 and within the next day or so, full details will be posted on the website.