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Stones Orchard

Situated just off The Green and originally just over 12 acres, the orchard was part of Parrotts Farm and leased to George Stone who came from Sarratt in the late 1880's. When George passed away his nephew Walter Stone took over the tenancy. In addition to the orchard area there was a large meadow where dairy cattle were grazed. This would have contributed to the income for Walter and his family as he provided a daily supply of fresh milk for local villagers. The orchard had an extensive variety of fruit trees, and as the village expanded the orchard became very popular with local residents especially when the cherries were available during June and July. Families would make a special day of it to visit the orchard on so-called 'Cherry Sundays' Having bought a good portion of the plump ripe juicy cherries from the stall set up outside the orchard entrance the families would have a 'cherry picnic.' Maybe father would walk across The Green to the Coach and Horses or The Artichoke for some refreshment too! On this side of The Green the cherry orchards, some attached to the public houses, were known mainly grown for the cooking varieties.

During the 'cherry ripe time' it was the custom for an organised group/contractor of 'pickers' to bring their cherry ladders to local orchards to pick the fruit for owners or tenant farmers. The trees were very high and the men would climb into the tops of the trees to gather all the juicy fruit. These special ladders were wide at the bottom, and narrow at the top and were designed just for cherry picking, enabling the men to reach the treetops in safety.

There were a number of buildings then on the Stone's orchard site including a wooden barn and sheds for a small number of horses (for the carts) and pigs. In 1925 the old wooden barn was destroyed by a fire and was replaced with a more substantial brick one.
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These orchard areas originally were managed with Parrotts Farm
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This map shows the land the Stone family leased
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The map showing the remaining site called Stone's Orchard
PictureCherry pickers in the orchard c1915
The hedge that fronted The Green was of cob nut (hazelnut) and in the spring a show of primroses grew underneath. The orchard provided the village with a wide variety of fruit that could be purchased from a stall at the gateway or from Rose Cottage where Walter and his family lived.

Walter and his two sons George and Jesse expanded the business delivering wood (logs) and coal, initially by horse and cart. During the construction of the Metropolitan Railway through Croxley Green, hundreds of tons of spoil required transporting from Croxley Hall Woods cutting to make the viaducts. Much of this was done using Walter’s horses and carts.

Eventually, Walter was able to purchase a lorry as the demand for coal increased with the new housing. When George’s daughter Doris married Bob Woods he purchased a lorry and subsequently took over this side of the business. Doris remembers that when she was a child the orchard site was known as Shepherd's Farm but with the family in place it soon changed to Stone's Orchard.

Many stories have been recounted about incidents attached to the orchard. Early one morning the local policeman was seen coming out of the orchard by Walter who approached him and enquired why he was there. The village bobby’s replied, he was keeping an eye on the property in case of trespassers and anyone stealing the fruit. Walter thanked him and declined to mention the purplish stain around the officer’s mouth.

It has been recorded that during some of the earliest celebrations for royal occasions, the orchard was an ideal place to hold the children’s tea parties.

Walter passed away in 1939 but his sons George and Jesse along with Bob Woods continued to run the business. However, when George and Jesse died, the tenancy was terminated as their daughters Doris and Margaret and their families did not wish to continue and the business came to an end in about 1970.

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Doris and her father George Stone 1928
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Jesse Stone outside the orchard with Chestnut his horse and cart
(© Watford Observer)
(© Watford Observer) The Orchard April 1939
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Jesse with the delivery lorry
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Bob Woods with his 1947 Austin coal lorry
PictureRagwort was removed 11th June and 3rd July 1994
The land, now owned by John Dickinson Company, had been purchased many years prior to this and several acres, mainly the meadow, was sold to Hertfordshire County Council for a new school – Yorke Mead.

The remainder came under threat from a planning application to build many detached houses and garages on the site. Robust action took place and the planning application was rejected. John Dickinson Company closed the mill down in 1980 and sold the remaining three and half acres of the orchard for just £1 to Three Rivers District Council in 1983.

During the next 10 years, the orchard received no maintenance, resulting in the trees failing and the site becoming severely neglected.

Croxley Green Parish Council became aware of this in the early 1990's and following advice from many supporting environmental agencies and with the approval of TRDC  the orchard was given a new life. This was followed by a start-up management plan prepared by Martin Hicks MIEEM, Senior Ecology Officer, Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre and approved by TRDC and CGPC .

The site was now required the removal of ragwort which had invaded the grassland and preventing the growth of many species. This could only be achieved by volunteers removing it by hand. With the guidance of the Countryside Management Services 2 separate days were set aside for this task in 1994.

(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Many ragwort plants were removed to allow other plants an opportunity to flourish
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Volunteers in July 1994 removing ragwort
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The CMS ranger with some volunteers having a 'rest' !
It was now evident how important Stone's orchard was within the county, one of the oldest recorded from old maps even before the Stone family had taken on a tenancy. Doris Stone had an interesting collection of family photographs recording times at the orchard and it was agreed to produce a small booklet incorporating some of these as well as its known history at that time. Habitat species had been recorded  and these too were included.
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500 copies were produced and sold in 1995-6
It was also decided because the original hazel hedge had grown into trees and in time would topple over it was agreed with the Countryside Management Services and the CGPC ranger coppicing should be done. The inside hedge was completed initially and hazel whips planted to recover the original appearance. The outer hedge was done a few years later.
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The hazel hedge prior to coppicing February 1996
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The inside hazel coppice The outer was done approx 3 years later
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The inside hazel coppiced only and new whips planted
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Following the advice on the management plan where to best plant the new trees, as the site was now reduced, the CGPC purchased trees from a recognised fruit tree specialist who knew of the orchard in its heyday and the known varieties that were stocked.

All the local primary schools - Yorke Mead, Little Green, Malvern Way, Harvey Road and, not wishing to be left out, Rickmansworth Park (since some  Croxley Green children attended this school) – were involved. Tree varieties known to have been grown, now on a stock producing smaller trees were planted during National Tree Week in March &November 1995, November 1996 &1997.
March 1995 - Yorke Mead  School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Another tree planted
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The Watford Observer cameraman waits to take our photo
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Another tree successfully planted
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Protective guard around the tree in case of rabbit damage
March 1995 - Rickmansworth Park School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Ready to plant our first tree
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The boys show how it's done!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) One of our trees planted and a certificate to prove it
March 1995 - Malvern  Way School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Many little hands needed for this one!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A good job done
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Some well earned refreshments to take back to school
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) It will be many years before this tree produces fruit
March 1995 - Little Green School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Everyone giving a helping hand
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Time for a photo shoot to remember the day
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Another tree done!
March 1995 - Harvey Road School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The supporting post in place ready for the tree
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A helping hand to fill the hole with earth
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) This tree requires three stakes
November 1995 - Harvey Road School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A tree staked and nearly done
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Our second tree successfully planted
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) These children look proud of their achievement
November 1995 - Little Green School
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Three very determined children managing the task.
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© A second tree goes in with a few more helpers
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The children proudly show off their certificate to record their efforts
November 1995 - Malvern Way School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) So many children and just one tree!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Several busy groups with a tree to plant
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Almost done and ready for the long walk back to school.
November 1995 - Rickmansworth Park School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Everyone lending a hand on this one
November 1995 - Yorke Mead School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Headteacher Brian Sears closely watches the planting
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A tree almost ready for the tree guard to be added
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The tree guard is neatly tied into place
Picture
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A very proud Headteacher AND proud children
November 1996 - Harvey Road School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The Headteacher watches as the cameraman takes his shot
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) All Done !
November 1996 - Little Green School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The Headteacher of Little Green supervises the girls
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Good work girls
November 1996 - Malvern Way School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Strong children show off their tree
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The children all helped with this one!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Tim Davis encourages the children for the photo session
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) All done, back to school and more for others to plant later
November 1996 - Rickmansworth Park School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Is there a tree in there!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) It's nearly planted
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) All done and our certificate to take back to school
November 1996 - Yorke Mead School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A little tree for little people well planted
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) But we can manage a bigger one too!
November 1997 - Harvey Road School
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Harvey Road school children showing how its done!
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Tim Davis and the council ranger looking on very impressed
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Our certificate for a job well done
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The Watford Observer cameraman takes a photo
November 1997 - Little Green School
Picture
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Making sure the hole is ok for our tree
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Tim Davis helps with the rabbit guard
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Another tree to plant with the council rangers
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Our certificate to take back to school
November 1997 -  Malvern Way School
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Carefully putting the soil in place
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Everyone gets the opportunity to tread the earth down
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Helping to replace the soil
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Another tree to look forward growing special fruit
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Malvern Way's two classes returning to school
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) All done and back to school
November 1997 - Yorke Mead School
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) We are ready to plant our tree
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Filling in the hole making sure the tree is upright
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Encouraging words from the council ranger
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) A well planted tree awaits to be staked
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During 1995 celebrations were taking placed to honour and remember those who had fought in the Second World War. May 8th 1995 was the 50th anniversary when victory in Europe was declared, now known as V.E. Day. Later that year close to the 50th anniversary of the cessation of war with Japan in August a similar celebration took place.

In the past Croxley Green has recorded national events such as coronations by planting an oak tree on The Green. However, as many residents had fond memories of Stone's Orchard and a restoration program of the remaining land was being implemented the Parish Council decided to go ahead with a request from a resident to plant a walnut tree close by to the entrance, replacing one known to have grown but no longer existed. Over 200 residents gathered on a sunny afternoon to join in a short service to mark the planting of the walnut tree. Father Haines led the service that was also attended by the Royal British Legion, Wing Commander Samuel Hatton, Chairman CGPC Cllr John Hedges and their wives together with the young and old of Croxley Green.
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The prepared site for planting the tree
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Father Haines as he conducts the short service
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Cllr John Hedges addresses the crowd
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Wing Commander Samuel Hatton addresses the crowd
(© Margaret Pomfret)
(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Wing Commander Samuel Hatton plants the walnut tree
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) An attentive crowd and Father Haines
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Were you there - do you recognise anyone?
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The local Royal British Legion was also in attendance
On the 20th August to mark the 50th anniversary of the cessation of the war with Japan another service was held and a seat was unveiled close by. This was performed by Mr. George Newstead President of the local Royal British Legion who received a framed scroll to mark the occasion. The Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Councillor Alan Littlejohn and his wife and Croxley Green Parish Council Chairman, Councillor John Hedges and his wife led the way to the memorial on The Green.

A short service took place and the laying of a wreath by Mr. George Newstead. All Saints Church was chosen to hold an Ecumenical service conducted by Father Haines and Cllr John Hedges. Norma Stubbington reading an appropriate lesson. This was followed by tea and light refreshments in the church hall.
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The seat draped ready for the unveiling
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Mr George Newstead, Cllr Alan Littlejohn, his wife, Cllr John Hedges, George Newstead's wife looks on
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The memorial seat in Stone's Orchard
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Cllr Alan Littlejohn, his wife and members of The Red Cross
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Mr. George Newstead and Cllr John Hedges Chairman of Croxley Green
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) At the war memorial
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Mr George Newstead read his address whilst his wife looks
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Farther Haines conducts the service by the memorial on The Green
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Mr. George Newstead and Father Haines at the war memorial
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Other residents join the remembrance day
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) Members of The Red Cross at the memorial
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(© loaned by Margaret Pomfret) The Croxley Green war memorial
More trees have been planted over the ensuing years to restore this orchard, with its nostalgic memories for many residents, into a local haven to be enjoyed.

The management plan has since been updated and many surveys of the flora and fauna taken. The CGPC employs two rangers who take a great interest in the management of the site.

Events such Wassailing and a dog show have been established recently as yearly events.

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CGHP are proud to be included on the Imperial War Museum "Mapping the Centenary" project website. You can see other projects HERE and our project HERE
© Ross Humphries
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