Tring

1900 to 1950..

 

Introduction

When I first had the idea of producing "Tring in the 20th Century" I saw it as a year by year record of the town from 1900 to 2000. I have since found that as I have collected photographs and information it would either end up as a very big expensive book or a lot of the subject matter that would be of interest to local people would be left out. I have therefore started with the first fifty years, including 1900 as opinions differ as to when the century actually starts.

In 1900 Tring was mainly an agricultural town, very much under the influence of the immensely rich Rothschild family who lived in the Mansion in Tring Park and employed a large number of local people.

Queen Victoria was still on the throne. The Boer War was still raging in South Africa, patriotically supported by Tring people, though not having much effect on their every day lives. In the next fifty years there would be two World Wars, having much more impact, to many families meaning the loss of loved ones and hardship at home.

Many of the photographs will not have been seen before, thanks to the generosity of Tring people who have lent their treasured family pictures. On a few occasions when an event was too important to leave out I have used a picture that may be familiar to some people. I realise that with this type of book I will be told that I have overlooked a certain person or happening of importance to Tring, but I have tried to give a picture of life in the early years.

I am at present compiling material to illustrate the second half of the century and would be most grateful to hear local people’s recollections of those years.  I can be contacted at mike@oldtring.co.uk

 

 

 

On the night of Wednesday May 6th 1903 a serious fire broke out in the electric machinery shop at the Bulbourne Works of the Grand Junction Canal Company. At about 12 o’clock the news was sent to Tring. The messenger from Bulbourne went by bicycle and on reaching the High Street after midnight was stopped by the police sergeant on duty. He was too breathless to explain his mission but after a short while recovered sufficiently to speak and was allowed on his way.
 

 In 1944 a heartbreaking event took place that fortunately had a happy ending. In April the sisters and brother of Private James Wood of 8 Westwood Lane, Tring, received the news that he had died of wounds in the Far East, on the 17th March. Private Wood enlisted in the Territorials before the war and by 1942 he was in Ceylon. At the time of his "death" he was 24. In June of the same year his family received a letter from him, dated May 5th, saying that he had been wounded in the leg, and a second letter, dated May 6th, said that he was convalescing. The family wrote to their MP Lady Davidson who contacted the War Office and confirmed that enquiries were being made. They at last received an apology and confirmation that Private Jimmy Wood was in fact alive and well. Two years after the war he married Miss Elsie May Bradding at Tring Parish Church and the heading of a report in the local paper simply said "Reported Dead – Now Wed".

  

This intriguing collection of archive images documents many of the changes that have taken place in Tring between 1900 and 1950.

Illustrated with over 200 pictures, many of which are previously unpublished, this outstanding volume offers views of Tring during a period of enormous change, from its origins as an agricultural town to the introduction of motor vehicles and the effects of two world wars. The selection places municipal buildings, pubs and local businesses alongside images of weddings, celebrations and public events to create a wonderful representation of community life in this part of Hertfordshire.

Tring 1900 - 1950 is a fascinating pictorial record sure to appeal to those who live in the area now and for those who want to revisit Tring as it used to be.

ISBN 0-7524-2685-0 £11.99 (UK post free from the author) 

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