The Friends of the Green - Croxley Green
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History
The Friends of the Green was formed in 1973 and in March 1980 the Green was designated a conservation area, thus ensuring the protection of its old English character.
Dr Michael Hodgson, a GP who worked at Baldwins Lane Practice, lived in the village until his death on Saturday, October 21, aged 93. Dr Hodgson was heavily involved with the community outside his works as a doctor and was the founding chairman of the community group Friends of the Green of which his wife was also governor.
In the Autumn edition of the Croxley Resident 1984, Stanley Thompson the then Chairman of the Friends of the green wrote:
"Like so much of Hertfordshire, Croxley Green once belonged to the Abbot of St. Albans, but after the Reformation it became Crown Property, and was granted to John Caius (of Gonville and Caius College renown) by Queen Elizabeth I. Comparatively recently, Gonville and Caius College conveyed the Green to the local authority, and now TRDC owns it as one of its public open spaces. And in acquiring it, Three Rivers became Lords of the Manor. But not a lot of attention was paid to looking after it, and in 1973 local residents became alarmed at a number of threatened developments. They joined together to form the Friends of the Green, with the simple aims of safeguarding and promoting its amenities. The organisation succeeded in having the Green designated as a Conservation Area, under the Town and Country Planning laws. This meant that Three Rivers agreed to consult local residents as to the best way to manage the Area, and the Friends of the Green set to work to draw in as many leading local groups and societies as possible to form a representative Croxley Green Conservation Area Committee, which has put a Conservation Plan to Three Rivers for discussion. But apart from an overall plan, the Friends of the Green play their full part in dealing with day-to-day problems".
Dr Michael Hodgson, a GP who worked at Baldwins Lane Practice, lived in the village until his death on Saturday, October 21, aged 93. Dr Hodgson was heavily involved with the community outside his works as a doctor and was the founding chairman of the community group Friends of the Green of which his wife was also governor.
In the Autumn edition of the Croxley Resident 1984, Stanley Thompson the then Chairman of the Friends of the green wrote:
"Like so much of Hertfordshire, Croxley Green once belonged to the Abbot of St. Albans, but after the Reformation it became Crown Property, and was granted to John Caius (of Gonville and Caius College renown) by Queen Elizabeth I. Comparatively recently, Gonville and Caius College conveyed the Green to the local authority, and now TRDC owns it as one of its public open spaces. And in acquiring it, Three Rivers became Lords of the Manor. But not a lot of attention was paid to looking after it, and in 1973 local residents became alarmed at a number of threatened developments. They joined together to form the Friends of the Green, with the simple aims of safeguarding and promoting its amenities. The organisation succeeded in having the Green designated as a Conservation Area, under the Town and Country Planning laws. This meant that Three Rivers agreed to consult local residents as to the best way to manage the Area, and the Friends of the Green set to work to draw in as many leading local groups and societies as possible to form a representative Croxley Green Conservation Area Committee, which has put a Conservation Plan to Three Rivers for discussion. But apart from an overall plan, the Friends of the Green play their full part in dealing with day-to-day problems".
Article from the Croxley Resident Winter 1974
Editorial Comment, Croxley Resident Summer 1974
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Letter to Croxley Resident Spring 1979
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Croxley Resident Autumn 1982
Longest Village Green in England
In recent years, Croxley Green rightfully claimed the title of the "Longest Village Green in England. Whilst both Barrington and Frampton on Severn have long village greens, it is clear below that the longest village green in England is Croxley Green.
1114 meters long - Croxley Green
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Barrington 1008 metres long
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715 meters long - Frampton on Severn
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The Friends of the Green - Croxley Green
After numerous years of inactivity and after the the placing of boulders on the village green (known locally as CroXhenge), the Friends of the Green - Croxley Green was reformed and the first meeting took place at the Artichoke public house on 14th December 2025.
The Aims and Objectives of the Friends of the Green - Croxley Green are:
The Aims and Objectives of the Friends of the Green - Croxley Green are:
- To protect, preserve, and enhance the historical character, natural environment, and amenity value of The Green and its associated common land in Croxley Green.
- To act as a voice for the community regarding the future direction, maintenance, and management of the land.
- To research, record, and educate the public on the history of The Green.
- To work collaboratively with local authorities (such as the Parish and District Councils) and other stakeholders to ensure the land is managed in a way that respects its Conservation Status, Status as a protected Common, and its long and cherished heritage.
- To have recognised that The Green, Croxley Green, is the longest green in England.
You can contact The Friends of the Green - Croxley Green - here [email protected]
Pubs on the Green - The Artichoke and The Coach & Horses
Mrs Robinson stood outside the Artichoke
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The Artichoke on the Green
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The Artichoke c1996
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The Artichoke - The Green, Green Lane, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth WD3 3HN - Telephone 01923 778677
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Official Website: www.artichokeonthegreen.co.uk
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History of the Pub: HERE
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The Artichoke has been known to sell beer supplied by Ind Coope, Taylor-Walker, Cannon, Clutterbuck. Sections of the pub were built in the 17th and 18th century and the earliest reference is 1756.
According to the Hertfordshire County Records 'notes and extracts from the Sessions Records of the St. Albans Division 1770 to 1840 Volume IV it was recorded in the Midsummer Sessions 1819 that ' Rules and regulations of a society of good fellowship to be established at "the Artichoke", at Croxley Green, in the parish of Rickmersworth'
According to the Hertfordshire County Records 'notes and extracts from the Sessions Records of the St. Albans Division 1770 to 1840 Volume IV it was recorded in the Midsummer Sessions 1819 that ' Rules and regulations of a society of good fellowship to be established at "the Artichoke", at Croxley Green, in the parish of Rickmersworth'
The Coach and Horses c1920's
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The Coach & Horses WW2 members of the Home Guard outside.
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The Green, Coach & Horses c1959
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The Coach and Horses, The Green, Croxley Green, WD3 3HX -Telephone 01923 774457
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Official Website: www.thecoachandhorses.co.uk
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History of the Pub: HERE
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The earliest known reference to the Coach and Horses is 1774 and was reputed to have had a bell under the eaves so that late night travellers could summon the landlord to 'open up'.
Adjacent to the pub and shown on early maps a cherry orchard existed and according to local information were mainly the cooking variety. A team of cherry pickers hired usually in June & July visited all the orchards surrounding The Green.
In 1825 it is described as having a barn, yards and garden and orchard of just over 2 acres. Adjacent to the car park is a row of private houses built c1930's that would have been part of the orchard site.
Adjacent to the pub and shown on early maps a cherry orchard existed and according to local information were mainly the cooking variety. A team of cherry pickers hired usually in June & July visited all the orchards surrounding The Green.
In 1825 it is described as having a barn, yards and garden and orchard of just over 2 acres. Adjacent to the car park is a row of private houses built c1930's that would have been part of the orchard site.
