Bevendean History Project
Ashurst Road Self-build Housing Scheme - part 2
The
allocation of the houses was done by the Senior Welfare Housing
Officer, depending on the conditions the members were living in.
She visited the home of every member, and so a couple with children
living in two rooms would get preference over a childless couple.
No. 70 Ashurst Road under construction about July 1956
Semidetached houses under construction viewed from the back garden in August 1956
Building work finished on Thursday the 13th June 1957 after two years and two months by which time 40 houses had been completed.
The Brighton Self Build Housing Association Limited was finally wound up on 30 November 1983.
The last of the leases were purchased by the tenants from Brighton Council on 29 October 1987.
Out of 40 couples involved in the self-build scheme, 32 originated from Moulsecoomb.
Houses in Ashurst Road in May 2020
Ashurst Road viewed from the hill at the end of the road in Jolu 2020
Other information
Tea
A large urn was acquired. One of the men would build a fire and put the urn on to boil. When the water was boiling a ¼ pound packet of tea was poured into it together with a bottle of milk. A whistle was blown and the men queued for their tea. Later a gas stove was used which made making the tea easier.
When building started one of the wives would get to the site about 8 p.m. and make the tea. Two of the wives did a night each and at the weekends tea was made in the afternoons and afterwards two of the wives would wash and dry all the mugs.
During the summer months especially, a lot of the wives (with their children) came to the site. It was a good way to get to know each other. The wives would discuss colour schemes, types of curtains and decorating etc.
Time off
Time off was Saturday or Sunday evenings starting from 5.30 p.m. and for every week’s summer holiday the men were also entitled to one day off.
Loan stock
A record of the total number of hours each man worked over the two years was kept; this was used as a deposit when eventually we bought our houses. Each man had to sign on and off.
Waiting list
There was a waiting list of 20 names, we called a meeting and suggested they start their own scheme these became Lucraft and Eggington roads.
Building work on the 40 houses was finished on the 13th June 1957, so it took two years and two months to complete the building work.
The £50’s paid by each member at the start of the scheme, to provide a working capital, was paid back on the 15th June 1957.
A social club was formed which organised parties for the children, socials for the whole family and friends plus a summer outing, which needed 4 coaches.
Information compiled from the recollections of Mrs Evelyn Gibbs who with her husband Fred lived at 70 Ashurst Road. This archive is held at The Keep in Falmer.
No. 70 Ashurst Road under construction about July 1956
Semidetached houses under construction viewed from the back garden in August 1956
Building work finished on Thursday the 13th June 1957 after two years and two months by which time 40 houses had been completed.
The Brighton Self Build Housing Association Limited was finally wound up on 30 November 1983.
The last of the leases were purchased by the tenants from Brighton Council on 29 October 1987.
Out of 40 couples involved in the self-build scheme, 32 originated from Moulsecoomb.
Houses in Ashurst Road in May 2020
Ashurst Road viewed from the hill at the end of the road in Jolu 2020
Other information
Tea
A large urn was acquired. One of the men would build a fire and put the urn on to boil. When the water was boiling a ¼ pound packet of tea was poured into it together with a bottle of milk. A whistle was blown and the men queued for their tea. Later a gas stove was used which made making the tea easier.
When building started one of the wives would get to the site about 8 p.m. and make the tea. Two of the wives did a night each and at the weekends tea was made in the afternoons and afterwards two of the wives would wash and dry all the mugs.
During the summer months especially, a lot of the wives (with their children) came to the site. It was a good way to get to know each other. The wives would discuss colour schemes, types of curtains and decorating etc.
Time off
Time off was Saturday or Sunday evenings starting from 5.30 p.m. and for every week’s summer holiday the men were also entitled to one day off.
Loan stock
A record of the total number of hours each man worked over the two years was kept; this was used as a deposit when eventually we bought our houses. Each man had to sign on and off.
Waiting list
There was a waiting list of 20 names, we called a meeting and suggested they start their own scheme these became Lucraft and Eggington roads.
Building work on the 40 houses was finished on the 13th June 1957, so it took two years and two months to complete the building work.
The £50’s paid by each member at the start of the scheme, to provide a working capital, was paid back on the 15th June 1957.
A social club was formed which organised parties for the children, socials for the whole family and friends plus a summer outing, which needed 4 coaches.
Information compiled from the recollections of Mrs Evelyn Gibbs who with her husband Fred lived at 70 Ashurst Road. This archive is held at The Keep in Falmer.
| More Photographs | The men who built the houses |
| Evelyn (Ev) Gibbs Remembers | Newspaper Articles about the self-build scheme |
