|
White Horse Cottages - Tynings LaneIn 1904 the Rural District Council purchased land in Tynings Lane from the Marquess of Bath for £30 and erected four ‘artisan’s dwellings’ which became known as White Horse Cottages. At a total cost (including drainage and water supply) of £887 plus fees, this was part of an experiment to test the advantages of local authorities adopting the Housing of the Working Classes Acts of 1885 and 1890. Built directly opposite the entrance to Bratton’s Ironworks, the cottages were perfectly located for its workforce and, unsurprisingly, many applications to rent the cottages (at 3s 10d per week) were received and the trial was deemed a success. The cast iron name plaque, on the right-hand end of the terrace, was made at the Ironworks to the same design as those made for the homes of the Reeves brothers at The Butts, The Wilderness, and The Elms. If you take a close look when passing you will also see that the front window of the end house on the left is lower than the rest of the terrace. It is not clear when this was altered, but it is said that it was done to enable the Works’ Foreman, who lived there, to keep an eye on the workers arriving at the entrance opposite while he ate his breakfast! You will also notice that today the two cottage on the left have been combined with one of the front doors replaced by a window.
[Return] |