Lost Rickmansworth, Croxley Green and Chorleywood portrays a vivid picture of the many losses and changes that have taken place in this lovely area over the last 100 years, as the reader embarks on a fascinating journey of discovery. Fond memories are evoked of the local cinemas, long since gone, where for a few hours one could escape to the celluloid world of make-believe in the smoky atmosphere of the auditorium. Sadly, industries such as Walker’s boatbuilding, Moussec’s sparkling wine and the John Dickinson paper mills have similarly disappeared, all irreplaceable and much missed. However, many buildings have survived such as Croxley House, The Cedars and Chorleywood House, though all now used for a different purpose to what they were originally. With a wealth of information inside, this book will surely appeal to those who can still recollect much that is lost and now relegated to memory, and those eager to discover the history of this small town and two villages in south-west Hertfordshire.

John is a retired quantity surveyor and office manager. Following early retirement in 2002, his hobbies have included genealogical research, working at his computer, reading and collecting old photographs and postcards, particularly of Watford and Harpenden. Since taking up writing in 2006, he has had many books published on Herfordshire area. He is a Friend of Watford Museum, and also Cassiobury Park, and enjoys collecting old picture postcards, as well as local history and, of course, writing.