Towns & Villages in Herts

Colliers End

A hamlet within the parish of High Cross which in turn was part of the historic parish of Standon.

In 1278 a Nicholas le Colyere was recorded as living in Standon.
The Place-names of Hertfordshire

Circa 1910

Street view including the Plough Inn, Collier's End, High Cross.  There is a penny-farthing over the entrance porch, to attract cyclists as customers. (see Postcards of Hertfordshire Pubs) A comparison of various sources suggests that in 1912 the Landlord was Robert Champlain (see below).

Colliers End is one of the many hamlets which developed along a main road radiating out from London, in this case the London to Cambridge road.
 

In 1882 it had 7 pubs or beer houses, a blacksmith, a wheelwright and a hay and straw dealer to cater for the passing traffic. 
Kelly's Directory, 1882.


Car make & date ???

Three postcards of Colliers End, possibly from about 1920s

London Road, Colliers End

Showing St Mary's at the South end of the hamlet.

 

Collier's End is on high ground, on the Old North Road, 2 miles S.W. from Standon Station, Great Eastern Railway. It is a very typical English hamlet.

Hertfordshire Little Guide 1903


A mission church, dedicated to St. Mary, was erected in 1911, at the sole cost of Ernest E. Wickham esq. of Plashes; the church contains some fine carved oak; two of the windows are stained; there are 100 sittings.
Kelly's Directory 1912

 [Photographs 2006]

Interior of Colliers End Church, - postcard sent October, 1944

The signs on the building read "McMullen's Fine Ales" and "Good Accommodation for Cyclists" over the entrances it reads "Luncheons", "Wash and Brush Up" and "Teas" and that it is licensed for the sale of beer - but unfortunately information on the licensee is unreadable.

None of the public/beer houses are identified by name in the 1891 or 1901 census, but Thomas Cater (43, born Eastville, Lincs) is listed as "butcher and beerseller" at the Red White & Blue in the 1881 census. A Thomas Clater is the the 1882 Kelly's Directory as a beer retailer.  A comparison of various sources suggests that in 1912 the Landlord was Mrs Sarah Smith (see below).

See also Postcards of Hertfordshire Pubs

From the Ballad "Red White and Blue" published circa 1849

Then the grog, boys, the grog, boys, bring hither
Let each one fill to the brim,
May the memory of Nelson never wither,
Nor the star of his glory grow dim.
May the service united ne'er sever,
But each to his colours prove true,
Here's to the army and navy for ever,            
And three cheers for the red, white and blue.

Source: http://www.nls.uk/broadsides/broadside.cfm/id/14769 

Photograph of "Barnacres" Colliers End, 2006

The Colliers End Publicans

The following table records the publicans listed at Collier's End in Kelly's Directories for Hertfordshire. The names in 1899/1902 were used to identify properties in the 1901 census, together with a study of maps, (Locating Census Addresses on Maps) suggest that William Smith was the publican at the Red White and Blue in 1901.

  1899 1902 1908 1912 1914
Waggon & Horses John Armstrong John George Armstrong
Lamb & Flag William Barrett William Liney Frank Brand
Fox & Hounds Charles Bristow Herbert Ruthven George Mison William John Lewington
Beer retailer [Plough] Joseph A Welch Joseph Constable Robert Champlain John Hebdege
Beer retailer [Red White & Blue] William Smith Mrs Sarah Smith James Smith

If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.

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Page updated June 2008