Archived Topic
Topic ID 265
13/09/2004 by Eileen
Balls Park
I'm looking for info about Balls Park. I had the priviledge of staying there as a 'Convalescee' towards the end of WW2 - I remember having my 9th birthday there. The Hertford museum has kindly sent me a few photocopies of the interior and informs me that it is now under developement as apartments!! I also know it was in recent years used as a Teacher training college. I'm very much interested in its' history and also if there are any other people out there who were there at the same time as me?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 1497
17/09/2004 by Drama Queen
It was part of the Hertfordshire University until this time last year. They used to have courses on business studies and others there, after they stopped using it as a teacher training college. The University, based in Hatfield, has sold it off to be made into yet more unafforadable housing, losing a great park space for tennis, walking and picnics and a fabulous educational establishment.
Reply ID 1521
22/09/2004 by Eileen
[quote]
It was part of the Hertfordshire University until this time last year. They used to have courses on business studies and others there, after they stopped using it as a teacher training college. The University, based in Hatfield, has sold it off to be made into yet more unafforadable housing, losing a great park space for tennis, walking and picnics and a fabulous educational establishment.
[/quote]
Reply ID 1522
22/09/2004 by Eileen
Oops!
thanks for your info Drama Queen - perhaps I should enquire of Hertford University and see what they can tell me. I was really disappointed when I found out Balls Park was being changed into appartments ..... I was hoping I would be able to visit it as an ' open to the public' house and get nostalgic in my old age. I especially wanted to see it as I remembered it - but I suppose any hope of that is long gone. What a pity I didn't think to enquire years ago !
Reply ID 1532
23/09/2004 by Drama Queen
Do give the University a call in Hatfield, its a great loss of a wonderful country space used by lots of the community and I am very sad that all we seem to think is important is selling it off to property developers..
Reply ID 1546
25/09/2004 by Eileen
I have contacted the university and a very kind man is finding out what he can for me - meanwhile - watch this space ....
Please - is there anyone else out there who lived at Balls Park when I did ? Roughly 1945/46 ...... my family lived in London at the time. I now live in Sussex with my husband and family.
Reply ID 1601
01/10/2004 by webby
Lots of info on Balls Park from 1947 to 1980 including many pictures on our website at http://www.ballspark.co.uk.
The University sold the site in 2001 and the last students left in June 2003 - we held a final reunion there at that time. The developers are building about 70 houses in the grounds, but specifically the planning consent will not allow the Mansion to be converted into residential units and also makes provision for continued public access to the grounds.
I have email addresses of a couple of people who were Convalescee's during the war at BP and if you email privately me on webmaster(at)ballspark.co.uk I will try and put you in touch.
*** Edited by Admin to prevent spammers harvesting email address ***
Reply ID 1609
03/10/2004 by Eileen
Thankyou so much Webby - yippee !!
7 replies