A hundred years ago

Following several years of debate,  even bickering, by members of the City Council of the time, late in 1913 the city's boundary was moved outwards, particularly to the east.  From 1879 the limit was at what later became known as The Crown.  The added areas would now take it as far as Newgates, Winches and Hill End.  It was at one of these council meetings that Cllr Ernest Townson used the phrase "down in St Albans' own east end" to describe the rather chaotic assemblage of miscellaneous buildings in unfinished muddy and unlit roads in the Fleetville and Camp districts.

So, when the good folks of St Albans' own east end woke up on January 1st 1914, were their lives any different as a result of the change of concil?  Probably not.  Although undoubtedly building in their minds a vision of the future, they will have envied the residents within the old limits for the piped drainage system and sewage farm which had improved  their health prospects and made life more convenient for over 10,000 city people.  But if the eastenders hoped they would get 'some of the same' they would have a great deal of time to wait.

Hatfield Road was certainly improved, kerbed and drained, and with a pavement for most of the way, at least on the north side.  The number of shops being converted from the houses and cottages which lined that side, was slowly increasing.  T E Smith's printing works had just experienced its most successful trading year yet, and small workshops gave a few more people some useful employment.  Commuter housing spread on the western roads. The electricity generating station recently completed was able to sell energy for lighting a few homes, and the odd street lamp.  And the recently completed St Paul's parish church energetically pursued it mission in Fleetville.

Card from New York Christmas 1913.
Courtesy HALFWAY BROOK

However, two issues held the east end back from the improvements desperately needed.  Transfer from St Peter Rural Council to St Albans City Council meant an significant increase in the rates payable by home owners.  Since most Camp and Fleetville homes were rented, the landlords passed on some of the increase they bore onto the rents of their tenants – if they could without losing those tenants – reclaiming the rest by not making improvements to those same tenants' homes, by not negotiating with the electricity company for cables to be laid to supply houses, and not having the roads made up and lit.  All made more complicated by the complexity of having many absentee owners in a given street.

The greatest impact of all, would not become obvious until the autumn of 1914, when young men were exhorted to volunteer to join the yeomanry and infantry in what became known as the Great War.  Any hopes locals may have had for an improved local area and better opportunities were placed on hold for at least a decade.  The next few years would be grim for most families.  The year which may have dawned with great hope would certainly end with increasing gloom.

One hundred years later, here's wishing you all a happy new year for 2014.