Reviewed: 2015

This article tells the story of the west-facing library at Streatham Park, which for several years was venue for many dinners which were attended by many celebrated visitors.

The Thrale family originated around the Hundred of Flitt in Bedfordshire and of its parishes Clophill, Barton, Gravenhurst (Upper & Lower). Higher Gobian and Pulloxhill are of special significance, but paramount is the parish of Luton with its manors of East and West Hyde which border on to the hamlet of Thrale's End. Thrales End is a little hamlet on the Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire border, north of Harpenden, four miles from Sandridge and five miles from St Albans.

This page also contains details of the earliest records for Thrales from 1309 until 1616.

Streatham Park, or Streatham Place, was built in 1730 by Ralph Thrale (1698-1758) on 89 acres of land bought from the local Lord of the Manor - the fourth Duke of Bedford. It was rumoured that the sale price was a ten-year supply of ale and porter for the Duke's home

My auntie Ida used to make her renowned Cheesecake at family occasions. I am pleased to say that in her old age she gave me the secret recipe and even helped me over the phone when I wasn't quite sure how to follow the recipe. She has since passed away and is greatly missed. Here is the recipe in memory of her.

This is a tried and tested recipe that is very easy to make, and kids love it!

Robert Thrale held Tuffnalls at Thrale's End in 1493. From Robert the elder descended the Thrale family that became the most prominent family in Sandridge over the next 300 years. John Cussans' History of Hertfordshire (1870-1881) says…

Few yeoman families could boast a more respectable ancestry.

Hester was a prolific writer of verses, and later books. This article summarises her work.

Ralph Thrale

Henry, and his father Ralph before him, both owned the powerful Anchor Brewery and were also both Members of Parliament for Southwark. They were wealthy and enjoyed a coterie of servants, maids and valets.

Later in 1820 Hester took residence in Royal York Crescent, Clifton, Bristol. Clifton was the home of her friend Penelope Sophia Weston (1752-1827), wife of William Pennington. For a short while after this she took temporary residence in Regents Terrace, Penzance while repairs were made to her house in Clifton. On her journey of return to Clifton in March 1821, she fell and hurt her leg in Exeter.

Hester Lynch Salusbury, was born between 4 and 5pm on 16 January 1741 in Bodvel, Caernarvenshire, Wales. Hester was baptised at Llanere church, Wales on 10 February 1741.

Her father was John Salusbury Governor of Nova Scotia (from 1749). Her mother was Hester Maria Cotton.