Yew Tree Cottage 12 Orchard Road March 2011

The Bedfordshire Historic Environment Record [HER] contains information on the county's historic buildings and landscapes and summaries of each entry can now be found online as part of the Heritage Gateway website. The entry for 12 Orchard Road [HER 13820] noted that the property is probably mid to late 17th century, later additions and alteration. Rendered timber frame and brick, plain tile roof. 2 storeys, 3 20th century casements on each floor, those on first floor in 19th century style. 20th century boarded door to far right. Red brick ridge stack to left of centre and end stack to left. Interior: Much altered in the 20th century. Ground floor rooms knocked into one to right of ridge stack. Retains chamfered ceiling beam and exposed joists. Timber frame exposed to right gable end. Eaves raised by rebuilding of roof above original wall-plate level, probably in the 18th century.

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 12 Orchard Road [DV1/C234/53-54] found that today's building was two cottages, the eastern part of a terrace of five. Clearly the three cottages forming the western half of the row have since been demolished. All five cottages were owned by A. J. Gardner.

The eastern part of today's 12 Orchard Road was occupied by W. Jones who paid rent of 2/6 per week for a living room, a pantry, two bedrooms and a brick and tiled barn and earth closet. The western part of the property was occupied by J. Wardman who paid 19/7 per month for a living room, a kitchen and pantry, two bedrooms and a brick and tiled barn. The valuer discovered that this: "used to be a Butcher's Shop". He commented: "Very poor backs" but "Good front".

The three cottages to the west, which have now been demolished, were occupied by A. W. Bushby for 4/3per week for a living room, scullery, small pantry, two bedrooms, a weather-boarded and corrugated iron barn, and a weather-boarded and corrugated iron earth closet. J. Bushby paid £1/6/- per month for a living room , a scullery, two bedrooms, a weather-boarded and corrugated iron barn and a weather-boarded and corrugated iron earth closet. His rent was higher because he occupied the garden. W. J. Arnold paid 10/11 per month for a living room and scullery, two bedrooms and a weather-boarded and corrugated iron barn.