Renhold
Timeline
Places > Renhold
1229: Earliest recorded Vicar, Geoffrey De Ranhal
14th Century: The church dates mainly from the 14th century, the west tower was built in the 15th century; the church has a Norman font
circa 1492: George Joye, author of the first prayer book printed in English born at Salph End, Renhold
1624: Sir William Becher purchases Howbury Hall
1657: Church bells recast and rehung in a new bell frame
1781: Nathaniel Polhill, prominent banker and tobacco merchant of Southwark purchases Howbury Hall
1847: The greater part of the Hall is burnt down, leaving only the kitchen quarters. The Gentleman's Magazine of May 1847 gives the following report of the fire. "Howbury Hall was destroyed by fire, in consequence of a bricklayer, who was repairing the roof of the building, having imprudently lighted a fire to drive out some bees. The left wing was burnt to the ground, nothing remaining but the stack of chimneys. The right wing is standing though considerable damaged". The main apartments were rebuilt in the style of the period
1865: Village school opened
1869: Clay pits opened to take advantage of a building boom and to offer work to local inhabitants
1873: Baptist Chapel built and opened on Sunday 16th September
1919: War Memorial erected, it was paid for by public subscription and located in front of the old school
1923: Renhold WI formed
1966: Memorial window in the church to the Simons family, farmers in the parish for over half a century dedicated
1977: New school building opened for Renhold Lower School
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Page last updated: 4th February 2014