This shop at 25 High Street has many stories to tell. It was formerly an ironmongery business established by Joseph Cranstone in 1798. His son, also named Joseph, expanded it into an iron foundry at the rear. His son, William Henry, in turn made further expansions. He was active in town affairs, becoming Bailiff in 1839, and helped establish a volunteer fire brigade in 1845. The Cranstone business later became the Hemel Hempstead Engineering Co and moved to the New Town. If you look closely at the present shop, the towns of Baldock, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford can be seen above the door, which the next picture explains.
Author: A Beck