The History of Therfield Heath and Green
The history of Therfield Heath and Greens has never been fully documented, as far as The Friends of Therfield Heath are aware.
Commonly referred to as The Heath or Royston Heath, it has played a key part in the history of Royston and the surrounding villages. The lands comprising of the heath and greens that people see and use today were originally much larger, at one time it was on both sides of the current A505. Various parts have been owned by the nobility and the Church at different times. The lands are now governed by the Therfield Regulation Trust, managed by a voluntary body of Conservators and subject to bye-laws. Many past events that have happened on the Heath would not be permitted today. The Heath is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and continues to be protected.
The potted history timeline below is an ongoing project. All the information is out in the public domain. The research is carried out by members of the Friends and will be continually updated as we discover more about the Heath. If you have any known facts relevant to this timeline, please let the Friends know, we are always keen to learn more.
Commonly referred to as The Heath or Royston Heath, it has played a key part in the history of Royston and the surrounding villages. The lands comprising of the heath and greens that people see and use today were originally much larger, at one time it was on both sides of the current A505. Various parts have been owned by the nobility and the Church at different times. The lands are now governed by the Therfield Regulation Trust, managed by a voluntary body of Conservators and subject to bye-laws. Many past events that have happened on the Heath would not be permitted today. The Heath is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and continues to be protected.
The potted history timeline below is an ongoing project. All the information is out in the public domain. The research is carried out by members of the Friends and will be continually updated as we discover more about the Heath. If you have any known facts relevant to this timeline, please let the Friends know, we are always keen to learn more.
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145 to 65.5 million years ago
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Therfield Heath is formed of Chalk beds laid down in the Cretaceous period. The resulting chalk grassland of today, that makes the Heath so special, is a perfect environment for the rare pasque flower and chalk Hill butterfly.
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4000 to 2500 bc
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Neolithic Long Barrow created
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2500 to 800 bc
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Bronze age burial mounds created
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800bc to 43AD
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Iron age banks and ditches created
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13th century
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Tournaments on Heath in reign of Edward 1
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1540
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Royston parish was created from the parishes of Therfield, Reed, Barkway, Bassingbourn and Melbourn. The Heath is in the parish of Therfield.
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1604 – 1625
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King James 1st England starts hunting on Therfield Heath
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1624
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Evidence suggests golf was played on the Heath
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1647
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10th June - Oliver Cromwell’s army of nearly 20,000 “roundhead" soldiers camped overnight on the Heath during the Civil War.
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17th century
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Horse racing took place on the Heath at the time when the heath was also on the other side of the A505
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1765
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The Heath was on both sides of the Baldock rd. “Odsey Heath” near the present Ashwell rail station was infected with highwaymen described as wearing oil skin hoods over their faces, being well mounted and well spoken
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1790
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Royston Cricket Club started.
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1827 - 1873
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Royston races on the Heath were held yearly on 14th May until they were abolished
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1827
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Boxing matches had taken place on the Heath for many years. 1827 saw a crowd of 10,000 – 15,000 people attending a match between Champion Jem Ward and Peter Crawley. Mr Crawley won.
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1843
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19th May - The appearance on the rare Rock Thrush bird was noted on the Heath by one being shot by Mr J Trigg of Therfield
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1855 to 1982
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Herts Militia used the Heath as a training ground
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1869
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First golf course laid out by 2 students
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1887
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Celebrations for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria took place on the Heath on 21st June, including an Athletics competition and a huge bonfire
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1892
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Regulation of the Therfield Heath by Act of Parliament
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1893
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Byelaws of Therfield Heath confirmed by Secretary of State
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1894
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23 March Good Friday - Conservators do battle with Travelling Showmen and end up in court. More information below.
The club house for golfers was built on its present site |
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1895
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A pavilion for games was erected by public subscription
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1900
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The Heath was flooded! Water on the heath is usually speedily absorbed. However due to very bad weather the ground was frozen and the melting 8-inch snowfall from 3 days previously was unable to soak into the ground. The water ran off the Heath, overflowed into the road and flooded the ground floors of the cottages on the other side.
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1900
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April - On the Bank holiday Monday an excursion of 200 people came from London to visit Royston. A large number went to watch a football match on the heath between Royston and Mount Lodge
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1901
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Queen Victoria died. A drinking fountain was built on the heath as a memorial to her. The Herts Yeomanry camped on the heath, and supported various fund-raising events with the proceeds going to the Royston Nursing Association
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1902
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As part of the celebrations of the coronation of King Edward a great bonfire was lit on Lankester Hill
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1911
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22 June - The Coronation of King George V was celebrated with a bonfire on the Heath as part of the Royston celebrations. More information below
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1932
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June - A great rally of the British Legion took part on the heath with groups from several countries
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1935
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Saturday 27 June - A children’s paddling pool was opened on the Heath. During WW2 that area of the Heath included a POW camp and the pool was damaged beyond repair and no longer remains
6 May - Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. More information below. |
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1941
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300 Italian prisoners were housed in 8 Huts on the Heath during WW2
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1944
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Prisoner housing expanded to 20 huts WW2
Italian prisoners removed to be replaced by German prisoners |
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1946 onwards
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The main path from Heath Ave across the Heath was enlarged by up to 100 race horses using it daily to cross to the gallops for training. There were several racing stables in Royston
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1948
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Prisoners huts were offered to Royston Urban District Council for housing of local residents
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1949
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Majority of the Heath is declared a local nature reserve under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to Countryside Act 1949
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1951
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Royston trained racehorse Arctic Prince won the Derby
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1952
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Royston trained racehorse Sir Ken won the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham
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1953
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SSSI, site of special scientific interest, status awarded to the Heath, notified under the 1949 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
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1959
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Royston trained racehorse OXO won the Grand National
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1961
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Royston Rugby club formed
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1968
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Royston Sporting Club formed
Royston Rugby Club moved to the Heath |
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1969
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Royston Tennis Club based at the Heath
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1985
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Royston Runners started and based at the Heath Sports Club
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1992
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The Heath Cafe formed from the previous Royston Sporting Club
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1995
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Royston Archery Club started using facilities on the Heath
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1996
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Toposcope built on the Heath as a memorial to Alfie Dreads. It is the compass point with seating on the main walk over the Heath near the bronze age tumulus
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2013
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Coronation meadow site designated at Church Hill on the Heath
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2020
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Sun Hill Common chosen as the name of the small piece of heath at the top of Briary Lane and Sun Hill that is separated from the main heath by bridleway 13
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1894 - Fairs on the Heath
There has been a long history of Therfield Heath being used for fairs and it continues to have a fun fair visit each year. However, the fair was not always so welcome: on Good Friday in 1894 travelling showmen came and parked on the heath. However, in the previous year new regulations had been introduced to allow the Conservators to raise money for the proper care and protection of the heath and accordingly they asked for payment. However, when the bailiff went to visit the showmen, he was sent on his way with a flea in his ear.
What ensued from that point was a grand battle between the local police who attempted to evict the showmen, and who were subsequently the victims of assault, with even the wives of the showmen joining the affray by lying down in front of the vans. Unfortunately for the police and the Conservators after the showmen were finally hauled before the local justices of the peace, they found that the Conservators could not charge and therefore it had been acceptable for one of the showmen to swing an axe at the police! The Conservators decided to appeal the decision at the Queens Bench, and unsurprisingly were successful in their appeal, being awarded the princely sum of £21. 17s. 10p.
To this day, the fair still provides important revenue for the upkeep of the heath.
There has been a long history of Therfield Heath being used for fairs and it continues to have a fun fair visit each year. However, the fair was not always so welcome: on Good Friday in 1894 travelling showmen came and parked on the heath. However, in the previous year new regulations had been introduced to allow the Conservators to raise money for the proper care and protection of the heath and accordingly they asked for payment. However, when the bailiff went to visit the showmen, he was sent on his way with a flea in his ear.
What ensued from that point was a grand battle between the local police who attempted to evict the showmen, and who were subsequently the victims of assault, with even the wives of the showmen joining the affray by lying down in front of the vans. Unfortunately for the police and the Conservators after the showmen were finally hauled before the local justices of the peace, they found that the Conservators could not charge and therefore it had been acceptable for one of the showmen to swing an axe at the police! The Conservators decided to appeal the decision at the Queens Bench, and unsurprisingly were successful in their appeal, being awarded the princely sum of £21. 17s. 10p.
To this day, the fair still provides important revenue for the upkeep of the heath.
1911 - The Coronation of King George V
The Coronation of King George V was held on 22 June 1911. After the morning church services there was an afternoon procession of local people in fancy dress and with decorated vehicles. The procession ended at the Heath around 3pm. Later, afternoon tea was served for over 2000 people at the pavilion on the Heath. The 8.30pm the whole procession was reformed at the Town Hall. The procession was lit up by by some 200 torches and coloured lanterns. Led by the band, the procession took a slightly shorter route than in the afternoon but still finished on the Heath. A 30ft high bonfire had been built on One Hill. Tar barrels and timber formed the bonfire which was topped with a further 2 barrels of tar poured on top. The bonfire was lit at 10.00pm and rockets were sent up. At 10.30pm the band played two verses of the national anthem with the vast crowd joining in. The bonfire lasted over an hour.
The Coronation of King George V was held on 22 June 1911. After the morning church services there was an afternoon procession of local people in fancy dress and with decorated vehicles. The procession ended at the Heath around 3pm. Later, afternoon tea was served for over 2000 people at the pavilion on the Heath. The 8.30pm the whole procession was reformed at the Town Hall. The procession was lit up by by some 200 torches and coloured lanterns. Led by the band, the procession took a slightly shorter route than in the afternoon but still finished on the Heath. A 30ft high bonfire had been built on One Hill. Tar barrels and timber formed the bonfire which was topped with a further 2 barrels of tar poured on top. The bonfire was lit at 10.00pm and rockets were sent up. At 10.30pm the band played two verses of the national anthem with the vast crowd joining in. The bonfire lasted over an hour.
1935 6 May - Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary
The Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary was celebrated on Therfield Heath. Lankester Hill was the site of a huge bonfire built to commemorate this event. The building of the bonfire was a joint effort between the Rover Scouts and the 1st and 2nd Royston Groups. To prevent the bonfire being lit prematurely the Rovers carried out a rota of "guard duty" for several nights. They camped on the Heath Close to the bonfire. On the day, loud speakers at the pavilion broadcast the speech made by King George V across the Heath so everyone could hear such a special event.
The Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary was celebrated on Therfield Heath. Lankester Hill was the site of a huge bonfire built to commemorate this event. The building of the bonfire was a joint effort between the Rover Scouts and the 1st and 2nd Royston Groups. To prevent the bonfire being lit prematurely the Rovers carried out a rota of "guard duty" for several nights. They camped on the Heath Close to the bonfire. On the day, loud speakers at the pavilion broadcast the speech made by King George V across the Heath so everyone could hear such a special event.
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References and Acknowledgements – with thanks to
Hertfordshire A Landscape History by Rowe and Williamson
Therfield Heath website
Scottish golf history
History of the Heath and Golf Club
Royston Crow (Herts and Cambs Reporter) via Royston and District Local History Society
The Cambridge Chronical
Herts. and Mercury
Royston Rugby Club website
Royston Tennis Club website
Royston Rotary website
Thanks to Mr D Robertson
Thanks to Mr P Ketteringham
Thanks to Mrs A Louch
Thanks to Mrs D Dawes
Fragments of Two Centuries by Alfred Kingston
20th Century Royston by Fred Sillence
Hertfordshire A Landscape History by Rowe and Williamson
Therfield Heath website
Scottish golf history
History of the Heath and Golf Club
Royston Crow (Herts and Cambs Reporter) via Royston and District Local History Society
The Cambridge Chronical
Herts. and Mercury
Royston Rugby Club website
Royston Tennis Club website
Royston Rotary website
Thanks to Mr D Robertson
Thanks to Mr P Ketteringham
Thanks to Mrs A Louch
Thanks to Mrs D Dawes
Fragments of Two Centuries by Alfred Kingston
20th Century Royston by Fred Sillence