At the Commemoration Service each year of the London Orphan School (now Reed’s School) – so long situated in Watford – the children sang the hymn “Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us” which was written for them about 1820 by James Edmeston. He was an architect, who often visited the school. He was an architect and surveyor, Sir Gilbert Scott being one of his pupils. Edmeston, who wrote some 200 hymns, died on January 7, 1867, aged 75.
[From the Watford Observer of January 11, 1946]
For more stories from the Watford Observer's archive, go to our Nostalgia pages by clicking HERE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here