Garden Village, Kingston upon Hull facts for kids
The Garden Village is a special neighborhood in Kingston upon Hull, England. It was built over 100 years ago, starting in the early 1900s. This area was designed as a model village to provide good homes for the workers of a company called Reckitt & Sons. It's located in the Summergangs part of the city.
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Building the Garden Village: A Planned Community
The Garden Village was built on about 140 acres (57 hectares) of land. A company called 'Hull Garden Village Co.' was set up to manage the project. A very important person named Sir James Reckitt provided most of the money for this company. He made sure that two-thirds of the homes would be for his company's workers.
The village officially opened in 1908. Its design was inspired by the "Garden City movement." This idea focused on creating green, healthy places to live. Architects Percy Runton and William Barry designed the village.
Homes and Features of the Village
By 1913, about 600 houses were built. They came in five different sizes and twelve unique styles. Most homes had a small front garden and a long back garden. Often, a narrow alleyway ran behind the houses.
The houses were built close to nature, with plenty of open space. They were made of brick, often with a special rough coating called pebble dash. Some houses had a smooth white finish. They featured steep roofs, wide eaves, and wooden windows. Streets were named after trees and shrubs, like Laburnum Avenue.
Community Life and Facilities
The Garden Village was more than just houses; it was a complete community. It included a shopping center where people could buy what they needed. There was also a club house for social gatherings. A special hostel was built for women who worked at the factory.
The village also had several almshouses, which are homes for people in need. Many of these original buildings are now considered important historical sites. A large number of the regular houses are also protected as historic buildings.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
During World War II, the area faced tough times. Hull was heavily bombed, and the Garden Village was badly damaged. This was likely because it was close to the Reckitt & Sons factory.
In 1950, the company that built the Garden Village closed down. Some houses were sold to the people living in them. A different company, the Bradford Property Trust, bought the rest of the village. The beautiful open spaces, known as 'The Oval' and 'The Playground,' were given to the Hull City Council. In 1970, the Garden Village became a special conservation area. This means its unique character and history are protected.
Church of St Columba: A Place of Worship
A temporary church for St Columba was first built in 1914 on Laburnum Avenue. It was also designed by the architects Runton and Barry. A permanent church building opened in 1929.
Sadly, this church was destroyed during the Second World War bombings. A new church was built using some parts from the old structure. In 1961, this new church became the main church for the Drypool area.
