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Chimney Sweep Harpenden

At Ansell Chimneys, we know how important it is for you to keep your chimney in tip top working order. It's not just a case of good housekeeping, it could save lives! So don't risk letting your chimney get clogged up and dangerous, call the professionals in today!

All installations carried out by
Qualified HETAS Registered Fitters.

Why not call Ansell Chimneys now for a free quote

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01923 661 614, email us at info@ansellchimneys.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Ansell Chimneys for service you can trust

Don't wait for the cold weather before you book a visit from a chimney sweep. Even though you are unlikely to be using your fire during the summer months, we can always be hit with a rather chilly evening when you'd be grateful of a warming glow from the fire.

A chimney that hasn't been swept for a while may be fouled with a dangerous build up of creosote, or may even be blocked with nesting materials from the local squirrel or bird population, so getting it swept now makes sense.

Even if you don't use your fire, you can still book a chimney sweep to call at your Harpenden home later on in the year. In fact, many of our clients book us well in advance, as they don't want us to be so busy when they need us at the start of autumn that we can't fit them in. All it takes is a little forward planning and you'll never be left in the cold when the weather takes a turn for the worst.

Some Harpenden history

There is clear evidence of a population of pre roman Belgic farmers in the Harpenden area. In 1867 several interesting items were found including a bronze escutcheon, rams head shaped mounts, and a bronze bowl.

There are Roman remains in land dotted around Harpenden too. For example, there is the site of a mausoleum in the park at Rothamsted. There is also a tumulus near the river Lea that was opened in the 1820s and it contained a stone sarcophagus of Romano-Celtic origin. Five objects dating from around 150 AD were inside including a glass jug with a Mediterranean stamp and samian ware dishes used for libations.

Up to the 13th century the area of the parish of Harpenden consisted of woodland with some small hamlets and single farmsteads around cleared areas called "End" or "Green" and there are nineteen Ends and eighteen Greens in the area of Harpenden and Wheathampstead parishes. Many of these small hamlets are still evident today.

Harpenden village grew out of Westminster Abbeys gradual clearing of woodland for farming and settlement within its Wheathampstead manor. This particular manor was granted by Edward the Confessor, the king in 1060. A first reference to a parish church is in 1221 and is referred to as Harpendene, so it is inferred that the village grew up around then. The church of St Nicholas is the oldest church in Harpenden, which was originally built as a Chapel of ease in 1217.

Nomansland common in Harpenden

Just beyond the southern edge of Harpenden lies Nomansland Common, which is normally called "No Man's Land", upon which part of the Second Battle of St Albans was fought during the Wars of the Roses. Nomansland Common also saw the first annually contested steeplechase in England, in 1830 when it was organised by Thomas Coleman, and the last fight of nineteenth century bare knuckle fighter, Simon Byrne. It was also the haunt of the highwaywoman known as Lady Katherine Ferrers, better known as the "Wicked Lady". To this day, many visitors to the Harpenden common have reported seeing a mounted 'highwayman' who appeared to be built more like a women, riding across the common, only to vanish into thin air. Many believe this to be the ghost of Katherine Ferrers, who died from gunshot wounds during a robbery at the age of twenty six.

Straw weaving industry in Harpenden

A widespread industry of Harpenden was straw weaving, a trade mainly carried out by women in the nineteenth century. A good straw weaver could make as much as a field labourer. The straw plaits were taken to the specialist markets in St Albans or Luton and bought by dealers to be converted into straw items such as boaters and other hats or bonnets.

Sporting activities in Harpenden

Between 1848 and 1914 the common in Harpenden was a regular venue for horse racing. Golf has been played on the Common since 1894 and it was at that time Harpenden Golf Club was set up by a group of Harpenden people with the help and a financial contribution of five pounds from Sir John Bennet Lawes of Rothamsted Manor. The club moved to a new course at Hammonds End in 1931, at which time Harpenden Common Golf Club was formed by those who wanted to remain at the Common. In 1932 Bamville Cricket club was formed and shares part of the Harpenden Common with the Golfers.

One of the most prestigious contributions to history is Harpenden's Rothamsted Manor and Rothamsted Research, a leading centre for agricultural research. In front of its main building, which faces the common, is a stone, erected in 1893, commemorating half a century of experiments by Sir John Bennet Lawes and Joseph Henry Gilbert.

In 1913 the National Children's Home moved to Harpenden with a large site Highfield Oval which was home to over two hundred children. The site featured a print works, carpenters and joiners shop, a boot makers shop and a farm where boys undertook apprenticeships. Girls were mainly trained in domestic service with some being trained in sewing and office work. The children lived in a "family" of eight to ten children each run by a sister or house mother. The chapel was a gift from Joseph Rank and was built in 1928. The home was run on site until 1985. The site is now the head office of Youth with a Mission an international Christian missionary organisation.

Harpenden during WW2

During the Second World War, Harpenden was used to evacuate children from a heavily bombed out London. However, Harpenden was not totally confident in its safety, as evidenced by the now decaying Bowers Parade air raid shelters, which are hopefully to be secured for future generations to view. It has been suggested both that it be used for educational and emergency training purposes.

The Harpenden and District Local History Society have a collection of local material and archives which can be consulted, and holds regular meetings on topics of historical interest.

So, if you live in or around the Harpenden area, don't wait until the weather turns, book your chimney sweep appointment early to avoid disappointment.

We simply add you to our work diary and you are guaranteed a visit on the day you've booked us. What could be simpler?

Why not call Ansell Chimneys now for a free quote

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01923 661 614, email us at info@ansellchimneys.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.