More interesting details about some of the roads and streets around the residential and often quieter byways of eastern St Albans But let's begin with an example which isn't in St Albans at all, although the parish of St Peter would have taken it right out to the ancient Harpsfield Hall – which along the way Hatfield's Harpsfield Way received its name.
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Built on acres which had been Harpsfield Hall Farm was de Havilland Aircraft Company; busily occupying thousands of employees during its busiest period through the 1930s to the 1950s, before merging with Hawket Siddeley and then British Aerospace. Major developments have taken place in recent years on the former airfield site, and some of them include access roads and residential courts whose names celebrate well-known aircraft types from the de Havilland years.
One of the most celebrated marques was Tiger Moth, the name of which was given to a nearby street. There had been at least two series of Moth aircraft, both bi-wing types, and very popular. Probably over three thousand were manufactured during the 30s and 40s, to over 24 air forces and countless private operators. However, a derivative type was Queen Bee – clearly Geoffrey de Havilland's fascination for the insect world spilled over to his business world. Queen Bee was a pilotless craft use for training and could be flown, drone-like by radio control. In fact the current use of the word drone comes from a bee's style of flight.
In the exploratory world of the appliance of electricity for powering devices and lighting spaces this energy source was in its infancy at the dawn of the twentieth century. Experimental installations were mainly restricted to small or relatively small buildings as controls and connectors (switches and sockets) had to be laid mainly on the surface of walls and ceilings, and the large bulky protectors (fuse cabinets) hidden away in out-houses and cupboards. It was a disruptive task but a number of houses were constructed in which cabling was built in and hidden.
Bold plans for statement buildings, like office buildings, stores and hospitals saw the benefits of installing, mainly electricity for lighting. The economics and efficiencies worked. And so it was that Thomas Edison not only designed the installation for Hill End Mental Asylum, the building on the ground from 1899 onwards, but also designed and perfected electric light units – lighting bulbs to you and me.
Among the most difficult road names to explain are those selected by private developers on whims of fancy or places which have a meaning for their families. In the case of Thirlmere Close it all began with Charles Hart's naming of three short roads on his New Camp Estate, one of which was Windermere Avenue, and it was this road which was later extended into what became known as the London Road estate.
So, not only did Windermere Avenue become triple its original length into the former allotment gardens but it gave a direct connection to Cell Barnes Lane and Drakes Drive. Given the narrowness of the original road it was decided later to close off Windermere from Thirlmere for vehicles, reducing the former to its original length once more. But if you wish to wallow in thoughts and personal memories of England's Lake District there are other Lake District roads nearby too.
Another badged area of our country is Cambridgeshire. The developer, Arthur Ekins, of the Camp estate – formerly part of Beaumonts Farm until the 1890s – named roads he was then laying out, after features of the county of his birth. Apart from the rather obvious Cambridge Road Mr Ekins also honoured the town, Royston, which lay astride the road which joins Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The road was, and still is, not any old highway but the strategically important Roman road linking London with York, Ermine Street.
But more strategic than that and not content with one Roman road the town is at the crossroads of a second, Icknield Way. So our Royston Road is not just a straight side road between Camp and Cambridge roads; it recognises a major Roman junction, which is just as important today, given that to ease the crossroad congestion the modern Icknield Way now steers north of Royston. Did Roman roads have bypasses? Well, they do now!
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There is a little estate of roads which remains rather hidden from the busy life along London Road. To discover it pass south-eastwards first under the impressive London Road railway bridge, and if, on the left, you come to Cunningham Avenue you travelled too far (start signalling when you reach the bridge). This tucked away residential estate consists of the main feeder Colindale Avenue linking three short spurs, Kenton Gardens, Hordle Gardens and Orchard Close. It might have become an extension of Dellfield, but didn't. Instead it placed its face towards London Road. Its developer was George Collins, whose business focus was in the suburbs of North London, hence, we suppose, the naming of Colindale and Kenton. Perhaps we need to delve a little deeper for the naming of Hordle and Orchard, which will wait for another occasion.
