Woolmer Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woolmer Green |
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 St Michael and All Angels, Woolmer Green, by Robert Weir Schultz |
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 Woolmer Green
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| Population | 661 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TL253186 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KNEBWORTH |
| Postcode district | SG3 |
| Dialling code | 01438 |
| Police | Hertfordshire |
| Fire | Hertfordshire |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Woolmer Green is a small village in Hertfordshire, England. In 2011, about 661 people lived here. It is a quiet place with a rich past.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Woolmer Green
Woolmer Green is located between the villages of Welwyn and Knebworth. People first settled here a very long time ago, during the Iron Age.
Early Settlers: Romans and Trade Routes
Around 100 BC, a group called the Belgae came to the area. Later, the Romans also settled here. Many Roman items have been found nearby. There was even a Roman bath house in Welwyn.
Woolmer Green was important because two main roads met here. One was the Great North Road. The other was Stane Street, which went from St Albans to a major Roman town called Colchester. This made the village a busy spot for travelers.
How Woolmer Green Got Its Name
In 1297, a person named Thomas de Wolvesmere lived in the village. His name is thought to be where "Woolmer Green" comes from.
During the Middle Ages, different parts of the village belonged to different large estates. Today, Woolmer Green is still where three local districts meet: North Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire, and Welwyn Hatfield.
Life Before the Railway: Farming and Change
For a long time, life in Woolmer Green was mostly about farming. This changed in the mid-1800s. The railway arrived in 1850, bringing new ways of life. A school opened a few years later, and the railway helped fund it.
In 1863, the village only had a gunsmith and a shoemaker. By 1898, Woolmer Green had 363 people. There were five shops, including places that sold beer. In recent years, many of these local shops have closed.
The main road through the village was the A1, also known as the Great North Road. Thousands of animals were herded along this road to markets in London. Woolmer Green was often the last stop for these animals and their drovers before reaching the city.
Most people in Woolmer Green worked in farming. In 1879, a very bad harvest caused many farms to close. This meant fewer jobs for farm workers. Farmers from Scotland and Cornwall then moved to the area. They were encouraged by the large landowners, especially the Knebworth Estate.
The Woodcarver of Woolmer Green
In the 20th century, as more cars used the A1 road, Woolmer Green became well-known. Travelers often noticed a unique cottage in the village. This was the home of Harry McDonald, who was famous for his amazing wood carvings.
Harry McDonald's Creative Home
Harry McDonald decorated his cottage and garden with many carvings of animals and other objects. Visitors could pay a small fee to walk through his garden. His sculptures often moved with handles, pumps, or windmills. Harry also carved official village signs and sold his art to visitors.
He arrived in Woolmer Green in 1937, walking all the way from Bradford in Yorkshire to find work. He became known as "The Woodcarver of Woolmer Green." In 1955, a short film about him was even made.
Remembering the Woodcarver
Harry McDonald's cottage was torn down after he passed away in 1971. However, a special plaque was put up in 2010 to remember him.
In 1982, a horse-drawn theater group called Horse and Bamboo Theatre came to the village. They performed a play about Harry McDonald's life. On the last night, everyone walked to his grave at the nearby St Michael and All Angels church.
Woolmer Green Becomes Independent
Before the year 2000, Woolmer Green was part of the Welwyn parish for local government. This changed in 2000 when Woolmer Green became its own parish. The first meeting of the new Woolmer Green Parish Council was held in May 2000. Judith Watson, the first chairman, helped make this separation happen.
The Railway Through Woolmer Green
The railway line, called the East Coast Main Line, forms the border between Woolmer Green and Welwyn.
The Viaduct and Tunnels
To the south of the village, there is a small viaduct. It looks similar to the longer Digswell Viaduct. William Cubitt designed it, and Thomas Brassey built it between 1848 and 1850. It cost about £4,643. This viaduct has seven arches and is 17 meters tall. The bridges over London Road and Heath Road are also original from when the railway was built.
Just south of the viaduct, the railway goes into two tunnels. In 1866, there was a serious train accident in the first tunnel heading south.
Railway Use and Knebworth Station
During World War II, there was a temporary railway stop at Woolmer Green for soldiers. Today, the closest station is in Knebworth, which opened in 1884. Before that, the railway was used to bring manure from London stables to the countryside. Farmers would then pick it up to use as fertilizer.
Woolmer Green Village Hall
Woolmer Green has a modern Village Hall and a sports field. These are used a lot by the community. The hall opened in November 1990. A local celebrity, Barry Norman, officially opened it. The Village Hall can also be used for wedding ceremonies and sometimes hosts fundraising events.
St Michael and All Angels Church
Even though Sunday services were held in the school since 1878, many people in Woolmer Green wanted their own church. Reverend Edwin Hoskyns especially wanted this to happen.
Building the Church
Finding a place for the new church was easy. Lord Lytton gave the church a piece of land where London Road and Mardleybury Road meet. This was a perfect spot for most villagers to reach.
The church was designed by Robert Weir Schultz (1860–1951). It is a simple example of the Arts and Crafts style. The building was expected to cost £2500. The foundation stone was laid in September 1899 by Lady Lytton.
Finishing Touches and Consecration
People hoped the church would have a tall tower, but there wasn't enough money. By October 1899, only £1500 had been promised. So, they decided to build only the walls and roof first. The inside parts would be added later as more money came in.
The church magazine suggested that children could help pay for the font. They believed that "the pennies and halfpennies of 350 children will quickly mount up." This way, all the children would feel they had helped build the new church.
The church was named St Michael and All Angels. They hoped it would be ready by Michaelmas, September 29, 1900. However, the church and its burial ground were officially opened on November 3, 1900. After this, people in the village no longer had to go to Datchworth or Welwyn for weddings and burials.
The church screen is a special example of Arts-and-Crafts design and carving. The school bell was bought for the church in 1931 for £10.
