Church End, Albury - posted 1913

The public house is the "Labour in Vain" and Kelly's directory for 1912 shows that the publican was William Drew. It closed in about the 1950s (Hertfordshire Inns). 

The card was published in the "Albury Series" by John Caton and Sons.

Albury. (3 miles E.) is traversed by the Ash and lies on the Essex border. This parish includes the hamlets of Albury End, Upwick Green, Clapgate and Patmore Heath; also the fine old residences of Upwick Hall and Albury Lodge. 

Albury, recorded in early documents as Eldeberei, is a small but pretty village with an interesting church. This dates mainly from the 14th century; but the chancel is earlier. The tower, 500 years old, is 14th century; but the chancel is earlier. The tower, 500 years old, is pinnacled and has a slender spire. The well-carved 15th century chancel pinnacled and has a slender spire. The well-carved 15th century chancel screen should be noticed, also the Jacobean panels of the pulpit. The chancel has been panelled throughout in recent times with oak and newly fitted, but the altar table dates from the 17th century. This church retains an ancient muniments chest with four locks. A number of medieval brasses may be seen; also a 14th century tomb with effigies of a knight in armour and his lady. 

The annual Albury Horse Show is an established attraction and enjoys wide support.

Braughing Rural District Official Guide 1971

ALBURY. The River Ash trickles through the valley below, and on neighbouring hilltops are Albury Lodge and Upwick Hall, both with 17th century panelling and oak doorways older still, while the gardener at the hall lives in a cottage 500 years old. 

Near the church is a 16th century timbered house with leaning walls and beyond is an inn with a ready-made text m its sign, The Labour in Vain. In summer the scent of lime and syringa steals into the church, where are also the fresh colour and coolness of trees, for the 13th century chancel, behind its screen of 15th century tracery, has been entirely panelled in white oak, with new seats and an altar rail to match, all set against a carpet as green as leaves. The nave, the aisles, and the chancel arch are 14th century; the pinnacled tower and needle spire and two of the bells were added in the 15th, and the porch soon afterwards. There is an ancient ironbound chest with four locks, some 15th century ironwork on the door to the tower stair- case, a 17th century altar table, and a pulpit made up of Jacobean panelling inlaid with the arms of the Leventhorpes. [Continues with description of memorials.]

Arthur Mee, Hertfordshire

From Bacon's Map of Hertfordshire, 1904