A most thoroughly researched history of Heronsgate from its foundation as a Chartist settlement in 1846, Heronsgate: Freedom, Happiness and Contentment, by Ian Foster, is necessary reading.
(Published by Manticore Europe, 1999)

HERONSGATE  LANE

Richard A. Leake  c. 1931

Go, travel East and travel West
And Hertford's bonny shire explore;
Go North and South where'er you may
And search from dawn till close of day
You'll find as you pursue your way
There's no lane quite like ours.

Behold its puddles broad and deep
Its rivulets when rainclouds weep
Its silted banks of cast-up mud
When motors plough through slush and flood
And tell me if on Earth you know
A lane that's quite like ours.

Though equine hoofs churn up the mud
And lorries bump with heavy thud;
Though ruts and stones your ankles rick
Despite the care your way you pick
Remember with what thanks you can
There's no lane quite like ours.

And if awheel you do proceed
A jolting switchback you must heed;
Your car will pass through any test
If it survive what here it gets
And as you plunge about you'll vow
There's no lane quite like ours.

Shhh!  Utter not the words that rise
When vicious jerks your temper tries
But ease the pressure 'neath your vest
By telling how, though far your quest,
You've never found - and thankful be -
A lane that's quite like ours.

Our hopes and fears alternate come
That something will someday be done
And though full rates we have to pay
And benefits come not our way
Yet Hope persists some day we may
Belaud this lane of ours.

Post Script,  c. 1950

At long, long last the day has come
Through willing work so ably done
Dry shod, we now enjoy the lane
And fear no longer mud or rain.
Our thanks to one and all we give
There's no lane, now, like ours.

©