A Redbourn Commoner

Geoff Webb

Campfield Press

1982

ISBN 0 9509138 0 4

PREFACE

ALONG with numerous other villages, since the Second World War, Redbourn's population has grown considerably, and its countenance altered. Situated between St. Albans and Dunstable on the old AS, the village used to be a stopping point for resting the horses drawing Royal Mail coaches en route for London or York, and one of my ancestors actually worked on these pioneers of transport.

I can remember when fields reached the back fences of houses and cottages surrounding our large common, and the unique avenue of elms offered shade or protection from the elements to walkers travelling the common's central path to reach the High Street. At this time the River Ver ran on the Eastern boundary of Redbourn, giving the opportunity for my grandmother's parents, after moving here from Oxford in 1866 to start the watercress industry, which thrived for many years. Luckily for me it also gave my grandfather the opportunity to meet Gran Webb!

Even earlier Webb generations saw the village embryo grow to my earliest recollections, and this family operated a dairy and served milk to the village for over one hundred years.

This book is of the country, and written by a confessed countryman, so, hopefully, reminiscences of bygone village characters and events will rekindle the nostalgic thoughts of older residents-for the newer ones, perhaps, moments of regret at having missed the boat!

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The book has fictionalised some of the names, which reduces its value as a genealogical reference work.

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A new edition (which I have not seen) was published in 2008.