Moving in

For most people moving to the new towns getting their own house was a life changing experience.

Arriving in Hemel Hempstead
Phyliss Coomber remembers her move from Wembley and working at Rolls Razor.
Barbara Latham - 1st Christmas in Hatfield
First Christmas in a new house in new town Hatfield in the late 1950s
Barbara Metcalf about feeling isolated in Stevenage and the importance of friends
Barbara Metcalf discusses the differences between living in London and Stevenage, as well as how important friends are in a new town.
Brian Foster discusses the differences in facilities between his London home and new flat
Brian discusses how excited his mother was when she saw the washing facilities in her new flat: “she thought she’d died and gone to heaven”
Brian Foster tells a story about his Aunt’s travel from London to Stevenage
Brian discusses the travel from London to Stevenage, as well as his family that followed him there
Brian Foster tells his experience of moving out of London
Brian talks about his memories of moving out of London, and the reactions of his close family members
Colin Killick about getting a house in Stevenage
We had no choice they said “if you want a house you’ve got no. 76 or nothing so we took no. 76 which was 3 bedroom semi-detached.
Colin Killick about people not being able to buy a house
They went to Welwyn. They went to Luton. They went to Hitchin, Letchworth, Walkern, Watton at Stone. I know the, the only one I know who stayed in Stevenage was the director of Chauncey House
Coming to Hemel Hempstead
The story of Eileen Bull, who moved to Hemel Hempstead with her husband in 1954.
Denzil Oulton discusses moving to Stevenage with his family [Text only]
'Bearing in mind that in London the accommodation was quite tight and restricted...'
Denzil Oulton discusses trying to get African Caribbean food [Text only]
'In Stevenage it was difficult at first, for some time it was difficult and then the supermarkets began to stock little things...'
Donald Hodson - Developing Shops at Hilltop
The need for shops at Hilltop by new Hatfield residents, led the New Towns Commission to initially develop a row of temporary shops in new terraced Housing. Donald Hodson ran a chemists in this row, before moving to the permanent shopping precinct when built. He described more about this odd arrangement!
Donald Hodson - Moving within Hatfield
Donald Hodson describes his growing family's house-moves within Hatfield.
Donald Hodson - setting up a business in the new town
living and working in the new town
Donne Buck discusses his experience as the first play worker in Stevenage [Text only]
'Well, living in London wasn't a whole lot of fun in 1967, I was working actually as a teacher...'
Earliest memories of the New Town
Valerie Weaving remembers her childhood home
First impressions
Eileen Bull's first impressions of Hemel Hempstead after she had moved there.
First impressions and a lasting impression
Una Taber reflects on how she found her new surroundings when she moved in and what she thinks of Hemel Hempstead today
Fitting in with the locals
Eileen Bull reflects on the reactions of local residents to the new arrivals.
Furnishing the new home
Eileen Bull talks about setting up her new home.
Gerald Model - setting up a new business in Hatfield New Town
Setting up a business in the new town in the late 1950s
Giving advice to the New Towns Commission
Nellie Black recalls when she was part of a women's group, who gave the Commission their views on New Town housing.
Having to move away from Hemel Hempstead
Tony and Sonia Waterton recall the issues facing local first time buyers wanting homes in Hemel Hempstead, compared to how easy the process was for the 'New Towners'
How Una came to Hemel Hempstead
Una Taber and her husband Leslie moved into a house on Newfield Lane in July 1951, this is her story.