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Our Stevenage
Our Stevenage
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You are here: Home>Neighbourhoods>Old Town

Old Town

The Bowling Green adjacent to Hitchin Road and the North Roads was the most popular meeting place for people in Stevenage for over 800 years, where people came to hear proclamations, to celebrate, or to remember the dead. Famous writer and MP Samuel Pepys visited to play bowls in 1664, one of the many times that he visited Stevenage. Eventually the Bowling Green was replaced in 1913 when the urban district council approved plans for the ‘conversion of premises on the Bowling Green known as The Dovecot into a hall for use for cinematograph exhibitions’ which was the start of the Publix Cinema.

Whitney Wood used to be much larger by the 19th century than it is now, nearly filling the whole triangle of Hitchin Road, North Road and Corey’s Mill Lane. In the early 13th century, which is the furthest that the name can be traced back to, it is known as ‘Wytehey’ which is thought to mean ‘at the white enclosure’ Later on in 1370 it is referred to as ‘Wyteneye’ and ‘Whetneye’. The woods gained some notoriety after a highwayman,  Jacobus Whitney, became famous when stories of his exploits were widely circulated. His adventures came to an end after he was caught and sent to prison in Newgate Prison near St. Paul’s in London.  He was executed on the 1st February 1693.

  • Buried in the loft: The legend of Henry Trigg and the Old Castle Inn
    Buried in the loft: The legend of Henry Trigg and the Old Castle Inn
    A story from the High Street
  • Childhood Memories of Stevenage 1950 - 1963
    Childhood Memories of Stevenage 1950 - 1963
    Origins I was born on 12 March 1950 at the Fox Holes Nursing Home in Pirton, a small village just outside ...
  • Coreys Mill c.1903
    Coreys Mill c.1903
  • Coreys Mill. 1905
    Coreys Mill. 1905
  • Dancing days
    Dancing days
    Stevenage Old Town
  • Henry Trigg's Coffin
    Henry Trigg's Coffin
    Photo of Henry Trigg's Coffin
  • HISTORY OF 11 MIDDLE ROW AND 7 & 9 BAKER STREET
    HISTORY OF 11 MIDDLE ROW AND 7 & 9 BAKER STREET
    A History of the Oxfam Shop building in Middle Row and Baker St
  • I Remember The Coffin
    I Remember The Coffin
    Someone remembers a certain coffin.
  • Memory of 6 Bottles
    Memory of 6 Bottles
    In the 1920/30s there was a cottage on the right of Sish Lane (a footpath by the side) called 6 ...
  • Old Photos of Fairview Road
    Old Photos of Fairview Road
  • Oxfam in Stevenage 50th anniversary
    Oxfam in Stevenage 50th anniversary
    Oxfam 50th Anniversary
  • Oxfam Shop 40th Anniversary Celebrations
    Oxfam Shop 40th Anniversary Celebrations
    On Saturday 29 October 2011 the Oxfam shop in Middle Row, Stevenage celebrated it’s 40th anniversary of opening. Council leader Sharon ...
  • Pepys' Gold under the bed
    Pepys' Gold under the bed
    When Samuel Pepys hid his gold under the bed in Stevenage
  • Serious Charge
    Serious Charge
    A 1959 film, shot on location in Stevenage, the first screen acting role for Cliff Richard
  • Some of my memories from the 50's, 60's and 70's
    Some of my memories from the 50's, 60's and 70's
    Photos from Ray Rawlinson lived in the Old Town, 1949 to 1986
  • Stevenage at the turn of the 20th century
    Stevenage at the turn of the 20th century
    A Picture Gallery
  • Stevenage Fire Brigade 1911
    Stevenage Fire Brigade 1911
  • Stevenage Fire Station. c.1939
    Stevenage Fire Station. c.1939
  • Stevenage Photographed in the 60s
    Stevenage Photographed in the 60s
    Do these images spark any memories for you?
  • The Austin Family Archive Display
    The Austin Family Archive Display
    Held at Holy Trinity Church on 9.9.2012
  • The Avenue
    The Avenue
    New improved entrance to The Avenue
  • The Avenue Information Board
    The Avenue Information Board
    Stevenage Borough Council's Information Board about The Avenue
  • The Old Police Station
    The Old Police Station
  • The Proclamation of George V on The Bowling Green 1910
    The Proclamation of George V on The Bowling Green 1910
  • Stevenage Charter Fair

    Stevenage Charter Fair (3)

  • Views of the High Street

    Views of the High Street (8)

  • Almond Hill J.M School.

    Almond Hill J.M School. (0)

  • Letchmore Infant School

    Letchmore Infant School (1)

    Now known as Letchmore Infants and Nursery
  • Fairlands J.M.I School

    Fairlands J.M.I School (1)

    Now known as Fairlands Primary and Nursery School
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