Between January 1982 and November 1983 Ted Parrish wrote 96 weekly local history articles for the Watford edition of the ‘Evening Post-Echo’, which he based on his life-long memories of Watford, Bushey and Oxhey from the 1920s onwards.
ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY brings this unique collection together.
In ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY, Ted Parrish thrusts open a window on life in Watford, Bushey & Oxhey and relates what it was really like to live in this corner of south west Hertfordshire.
He recalls his childhood memories of a barnstorming flying circus at Leggatt’s Farm in the ‘20s, Bricket Wood Fair in its heyday, magic lantern shows in Oxhey and a garden party in sculptress Mary Bromet’s garden. He remembers the crowds at Watford’s 1935 Silver Jubilee celebrations and at Bushey House, where two landmark events took place in the mid-‘30s.
Over the decades, Ted witnessed the demolition of many of Watford’s historic buildings, including Cassiobury House and Cassiobury Park Gates, the loss of long-established historical connections and the demise of the brewing and printing industries, for which Watford was once justly famous. He captured the many environmental changes in Watford, Bushey and Oxhey in print and on award-winning sound films, and actively campaigned against what he saw as “acts of architectural genocide”.
Indulge in pure nostalgia as you read about the people, the places and the events that, for better or worse, left their mark on the area.
ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY will be a sentimental journey for some and a true eye-opener for others.
The book can be purchased at the SHOP on this website. You can also purchase in Watford Museum & Bushey Museum.
ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY brings this unique collection together.
In ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY, Ted Parrish thrusts open a window on life in Watford, Bushey & Oxhey and relates what it was really like to live in this corner of south west Hertfordshire.
He recalls his childhood memories of a barnstorming flying circus at Leggatt’s Farm in the ‘20s, Bricket Wood Fair in its heyday, magic lantern shows in Oxhey and a garden party in sculptress Mary Bromet’s garden. He remembers the crowds at Watford’s 1935 Silver Jubilee celebrations and at Bushey House, where two landmark events took place in the mid-‘30s.
Over the decades, Ted witnessed the demolition of many of Watford’s historic buildings, including Cassiobury House and Cassiobury Park Gates, the loss of long-established historical connections and the demise of the brewing and printing industries, for which Watford was once justly famous. He captured the many environmental changes in Watford, Bushey and Oxhey in print and on award-winning sound films, and actively campaigned against what he saw as “acts of architectural genocide”.
Indulge in pure nostalgia as you read about the people, the places and the events that, for better or worse, left their mark on the area.
ECHOES OF OLD WATFORD, BUSHEY & OXHEY will be a sentimental journey for some and a true eye-opener for others.
The book can be purchased at the SHOP on this website. You can also purchase in Watford Museum & Bushey Museum.