88 to 92 Village Road Bromham
88 to 92 Village Road March 2012
88 to 92 Village Road was listed by the former Department of Environment in August 1979 as Grade II, of special interest. This large house dates from 1859 according to a datestone on Number 88. The listing notes "now divided into three dwellings"; as we will see below this was the case as early as 1927. The property is built of coursed limestone rubble and has a clay tile roof with fishscale bands. It has ashlar dressings around the windows, most of which have lattice glazing bars. It is built in an irregular H-plan and has two storeys. Number 88 has a 19th century brick extension on the front and a battlemented parapet. Number 90 is the small single storey brick block between Numbers 88 and 92.
The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. The valuer visiting 88 to 92 Village Road, in 1927 [DV1/C3/103-105] found that all three were owned by G. H. Brierley, who lived in Number 88, which he called Woodstock. The rent in 1909 had been £25 per annum. Directories, published every few years, list Frederick Wilkinson Barratt as occupier of Woodstock in 1914 (he later lived at 46 Village Road) with Brierley listed in 1920, 1924, 1928 and 1931. In the last two directories for Bedfordshire, 1936 and 1940 the occupier is given as Mrs. Harriet Brierley.
Accommodation comprised three reception rooms and a kitchen and scullery combined, “Off hall”. Three bedrooms lay upstairs and outside stood a wood and corrugated iron barn, a coal shed and an earth closet as did a small wood and felt garage ("poor"). The valuer noted: “water just laid on to tap electric light”, another hand has written “W. C. Pantry”. The valuer summed up: “Faces south. Good weekend Cottage”
Number 90 was in the occupation of S. Smith and comprised a living room and a bedroom with “nothing up”. A barn and an earth closet stood outside. The tenant of Number 92 was J. Freeman who had paid rent of 3/6 per week since 1925. He had a
kitchen, a living room and two bedrooms; a barn and an earth closet stood outside. The valuer opined: “A nice little place”.
In 1958 the three properties were put up for sale by auction. The particulars [AD1147/80] read as follows:
“WOODSTOCK”
Together with Nos. 90 And 92 VILLAGE ROAD
BROMHAM
and over ½ acre PADDOCK at the rear.
The residence is one of tremendous character. Built 100 years ago and is situate in the centre of Bromham, near The Green, on the edge of The Park, and away from modern development schemes. It is constructed mostly of stone with a tiled roof, has stone mullioned windows and diamond lights on the first floor, commanding open views at the rear.
The accommodation on two floors comprises: -
Entrance Porch
HALL with coat hanging recess
LOUNGE 15 feet 6 inches b y15 feet 3 inches with attractive tile fireplace and surround, and three fitted electric tubular heaters.
DINING ROOM 13 feet 3 inches by 10 feet 9 inches, bay window in addition; with fireplace.
STUDY 13 feet by 10 feet, with a bay window and brick fireplace
KITCHEN with Ideal Domestic Boiler, deep glazed sink and draining board, heated linen cupboard and other fitted china cupboards and shelves
LARDER with white glazed tile and other shelves
REAR HALL
BATHROOM with lavatory basin, bath, fitted wall mirror and cabinet. Separate W. C. with low level flushing suite
BEDROOM No. 1 17 feet 6 inches by 10 ft 9 inches with pedestal basin
BEDROOM No. 2 15 feet by 12 feet 9 inches with fireplace
BEDROOM NO. 3 9 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 4 inches with fireplace and fitted hanging cupboard
Outside
Detached GARAGE.
Attractive octagonal timber and thatch SUMMER HOUSE, fully lined with bench seats and in good condition throughout.
Concrete Yard from rear door to: -
Timber and corrugated iron FUEL STORES
Brick and pantile TOOL SHED and WOOD STORE adjoining.
The GARDEN is delightful and has been exceptionally well maintained and stocked by a discerning gardener; it has been informally planned with lawns, rose, dahlias and other fully stocked flower beds. There are many prolific fruit trees, and a separate vegetable garden.
Also adjoining “Woodstock” and included in the sale are
Nos. 90 and 92 VILLAGE ROAD, BROMHAM
Which are let as follows: -
90 Village Road let to Mr. W. Kay
Rent £1 14s. of. Per lunar month, inclusive
The property adjoins and is similarly constructed to “Woodstock”. It contains: -
LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN annexe and BEDROOM.
There is a Fuel Store, Covered veranda and Garden.
92 Village Road let to Mr. J. Freeman
Rent £1 14s. 4d. per lunar month, inclusive
The property is similarly constructed and contains: -
SITTING ROOM, LIVING ROOM and TWO BEDROOMS.
There is also a very large well kept Garden with Wash-house, Tool Shed and W. C.
There is a PADDOCK well over ½ acre at the rear of the properties.