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Chimney Sweep Shenley

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

Chimney sweeping in Shenley

Having a chimney swept is not simply good housekeeping, it's a vital procedure to keep you and your family safe.

A fouled-up chimney can cause chimney fires, but more importantly, it can cause toxic fumes to accumulate in your living space, rather than being carried up the flue to the outside of your property. This can potentially be fatal if left unchecked.

The simple solution is to ensure you have your chimney cleaned by a qualified chimney sweep on a regular basis.

Some Shenley information

The history of Shenley goes way back a thousand years or more. Shenley is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name Shenley is based on the Anglo-Saxon Scenlai, Scenlei or Senlai, which means 'fair or bright clearing or wood'. In the early Middle Ages, southwest Hertfordshire was thick with woodland areas, with isolated farmsteads or hamlets in forest clearings. Shenley would have been one of these settlements.

A market and fair for Shenley

The medieval road from London to St Albans ran through the village of Shenley, a major route to the Midlands. In 1268, a charter granted the right to hold a market in Shenley on Mondays and a fair on St Botolph's Day. By the 14th century, Shenley was considered to be a convenient parish for a country estate, being within reasonable reach of London. Its pure air, after the smoke, fog and generally poor air quality of the city made Shenley a healthy place to live. The present village of Shenley grew to accommodate the families of those providing a variety of services for the country estates of the wealthy gentry. Parish registers, dating back to 1657, include service occupations such as coachmen, bailiffs, bakers, and labourers. Others worked in agriculture, as cattle drovers, shepherds, and millers. Craftsmen in Shenley included tailors, weavers, shoemakers, cordwainers, brick-makers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. Tiles and bricks were made in the area, due to the abundance of suitable clay. Much of these products would have been transported to London and other expanding cities such as Manchester and Birmingham.

Shenley was quite an affluent village

Although many of Shenley's population engaged in humble occupations, the village was considered quite prosperous. In 1754 Shenley was assessed to be the sixteenth highest parish in the county and by 1823, the rateable value of the parish was £9,796.00, with only nine other parishes in the county rating higher.

The First World War in Shenley

During the First World War, part of the land at Porters was requisitioned and used as an aerodrome. Mr Raphael sold the land to Middlesex County Council in 1924 and, several years later, Shenley Hospital was built on the land. The design was such that as many of the existing buildings as possible were incorporated, including the mansion, the walled garden, stables, and coach houses. King George V and Queen Mary officially opened the hospital in 1934.

Shenley Hospital remained in service for over sixty years. It was then sold off to property developers for housing. It was not without some trepidation that some of the old-time residents viewed what had been described as an annex to Shenley but what, in reality, would more than double the number of residences in the village. However, the development took place, but as well as houses, Shenley Park was developed and maintained for the enjoyment of the whole village. These included preserving the orchard and spinney for scenic walks and recreation, landscaping the walled garden, which is often open to the public and hosts a number of events throughout the year, redeveloping the tennis courts to a high standard, and, more recently, the introduction of a teashop and play area.

Shenley is also home to the training grounds of football clubs Watford and Arsenal.

The Shenley primary school with a clandestine past

Manor Lodge School, an independent primary school for children aged four to eleven, is located in Shenley. The school is based in a grade II listed building formerly known as Shenley Lodge which appeared as the "Cat Lady's house in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. It was also home to Second World War double agent Eddie Chapman, adding an air of spying and mystery to the school's history.

Shenley is also home to the Shenley Cricket Centre, which plays host to women's and under nineteen international matches in the summer. At the heart of the centre is the 19th century pavilion, originally designed by W. G. Grace. The cricketing theme runs through many of the road names on the Porters Park housing estate.

Shenley Hall is a house built in the 19th century, which benefited from additions by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1914.[5]

The church that is no longer a church in Shenley

The burial place of the English Baroque architect Nicholas Hawksmoor lies in St Botolph's graveyard, Shenleybury, Shenley. The church was deconsecrated in 1972, and the grave is now on private land. St Botolph's is also the final resting place of Formula One champion Graham Hill, who lived in Shenley during the 1970s.

The parish church of Shenley is now St Martin's Shenley; this was built in 1841.

Shenley landmarks

The Cage on London Road dates from the 18th century and was the village lock-up, originally for prisoners awaiting trial in St Albans or Chipping Barnet. A set of stocks stood nearby at one time. It is a small, circular building with a domed top, surmounted by a ball finial. It is a Grade two listed building. A pointed timber plank door has strap hinges and there are two small, iron barred openings with stone tablets above bearing the inscription "DO WELL. AND FEAR NOT." on one and "BE SOBER. BE VIGILANT." on the other. Also inscribed is "1810" which is the date it was repaired after a tree grew through the roof.

Call Ansell Chimneys for a chimney sweep in Shenley

Make sure that your home is safe and ready for the cold winter evenings this year by calling us for a chimney sweep. Many of our clients book a regular chimney sweep appointment in advance, so they never have to worry about forgetting.

Plenty can happen during the warmer months, such as birds or squirrels nesting and blocking your flue with their nesting materials, so it's better to have your chimney checked out and maintained by a chimney sweep at least once a year.

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.