This collection of reminiscences and acompanying photographs records the development of Hatfield New Town during the 1950s and ‘60s, the 'pioneering years’. The stories are told in the contributors’ own words, which have been tape-recorded and transcribed. The contributors include people who came to Hatfield as adults and helped to found the town as well as those who knew the area as children and have grown up there. All aspects of daily life are recorded here. The book starts with memories of the first houses and the self-build scheme; there are then chapterson work (notably at de Havilland’s), schooldays, home life, leisure and much more. It is sure to appeal to all those who know Hatfield and remember the early days and also to newer arrivals who are interested in the area’s past. This intriguing record of Hatfield’s development has been compiled by members of the Boomtime Group from material originally gathered as part of the celebrations for the fiftieh anniversary of Hatfield acquiring New Town status.