Newgates Farm

Newgates (or Newgate) Farm, which once spread itself along the north side of Sandpit Lane between near Rose Walk and Ardens Marsh, was, as estate agents might describe it, compact.  Although owned by the Marten family, it was the only one of its farms in the parish of St Peter, for the boundary between it and St Leonard followed Sandpit Lane until it reached Newgates, where it skirted northwards to follow Jersey Lane.

There are two lovely sketches, drawn by Jane Marten, in St Albans' Own East End, Volume 1, Outsiders.  Other than that very little photographic evidence survived.  Until last week.

In the Hatfield Road cemetery is a headstone to William Muskett (died 1908) and Eliza (died 1916).  Now we have, courtesy of William's family a photograph of his extended family taken at Newgates, which dates, naturally, to before 1908.  It will shortly be added to the group photos page on the website.  What an impressive picture; William and Eliza are in the middle of the second row.

In the same week a photo of an unknown farm house came to light from the same source.  So it was possible that we were looking at Newgates Farm, but of course taken much later.  By comparing the details with the map, they match the photograph very closely.  So, I am happy to state that the photograph IS Newgates Farm.







New this week in the School Groups section are two photos of a fund-raising fete at Oakwood JMI


School in the 1960s, and three pictures taken at Marshalswick School, also from the 1960s.  Among them is Mr R Bilk, the school's Rural Studies teacher, formerly a PE teacher, then Rural Science, at Beaumont School.

Although, alas there was no article about the book this week in the Herts Advertiser, there were two items about the Fleetville district, both with photographs.  The first was about a group of Dutch cyclists passing through St Albans on their way from Holland to Oxford.  They were raising money for Marshall-Smith Syndrome (MSS) and paused outside the Strain family home in Blandford Road. Matthew Strain, aged 18, died of MSS last year.

The second item told me about a form of basketball new to me.  Beaumont School has a successful IZB team (Inclusive Zone Basketball).  Players with and without disabilities play in the same game, the court being divided into zones in which players with matched abilities are allowed.  The Beaumont team met others from across the UK in the finals; and for full details you should read the item in the Herts Advertiser.