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​Watercress and the River Ver
 
Watercress growing first became established as an industry in Redbourn in the 1860s, the proximity of Watling Street allowing access to markets in London. The main beds were in Ver Meadow off Waterend Lane, as well as down to Redbournbury Farm from Dolittle Mill. There was also a large section of watercress beds on the Ver to the SE of St Albans, which still exists as a nature reserve ( http://www.watercresslnr.org.uk/about/ )
 
Watercress growing requires a reliable supply of fast flowing water and by the 1930s the Ver Meadows site was falling into disuse as the River Ver was often dry. After the opening of Friars Wash pumping station in 1955 and a general decline in the value of watercress the industry ceased completely in Redbourn.
 
The first photo shows the watercress beds in Ver Meadow in the 1920s, the second photo is a similar view from 1968.
 
The third photo shows George Lee, a WW1 veteran who was one of the last workers on the watercress beds in the 1950s.
 
The final photo shows Tom Sansom (whose grandfather started their business in 1868) and his employee Tom Burchmore at the Redbournbury Farm ford watercress beds in 1928.
Redbourn Police Station
 
The Hertfordshire Constabulary was formed in 1841 and later in the 19th century a police station was established on the corner of Fish Street and the High Street. There were at least 2 cells and a manned desk, and the 1891 census shows that two sergeants lived on the premises. The police station was demolished sometime in the 1950s to allow for the widening of the road junction, but Redbourn still had a local constable until the 1980s.
 
The first photo shows the police station in the background in 1950, after a brick lorry had collided with Gertrude Peake's car and demolished the grocery shop (now the Spatchcooks Cafe).
The second photo shows police on parade outside the police station around 1910.
The third photo shows a similar view in 1993.
The final photo is of PC John Creassey who was stationed in Redbourn from 1881 to 1886.
 
There are some newspaper accounts of some of his arrests, including:
Drunkenness - Walter Astley in Jan 1885 was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly in the High Street, as well as threatening PC Creassey
Stolen Ducks - in Feb 1885 proved that a Mrs Warboy had received a duck stolen in Redbourn.

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Sat & Sun 2 - 5 pm 
​Closed Jan & Feb

Telephone

01582 793397

Email

redbournmuseum@gmail.com