Category Archives: Roads

New Ideal Homesteads Ltd

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From the sales brochure, dated 6/4/1935, for Bramcote Avenue, this property developer’s head office address was Ideal House, Carlton Road, Erith, Kent. The estate office was Baker Lane.

According to Wikipedia, the company started in 1929 by Leo Meyer, and was later known as Ideal Homes. It was bought by Trafalgar House in 1967.

In 1935, the managing director was Leo H.P. Meyer, the chairman was J.S.E. Todd and other directors were Sir Thomas Keens and Sir Lionel Earle.

L.H.P. Meyer, Managing Director
Sir Thomas Keens, D.L., F.S.A.A.
Sir Lionel Earle, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., C.M.G., J.P.

The company built houses in Bramcote Avenue, Byards Croft, Oxtoby Way and possibly Hammond Avenue.

St. Barnabas Hall

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The St. Barnabas Hall was built before the church, and had its foundation stone laid in 1908 by Princess Louise Augusta. The inscription stone, seen on the south wall, says:

“This stone was laid by HH Princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig Holstein 11 July 1908”.

This OS map from 1911 shows the hall at the western edge of the Gorringe Park estate, onto which was later built the church, and housing.

Photo taken 13th April 2021 in St Barnabas Road
Photo taken 13th April 2021 in Thirsk Road

The hall was used for various clubs such as the St. Barnabas’ Mixed Club (as listed in the 1949 Youth Club Handbook). The photo below was sent in by Mick Coe, who writes:

This photo is in my late grandfather’s photo album. I have identified the building as St Barnabas church and I believe that a boys club was attached to it in the 1920’s, as my late father attended it. I believe that he attended reunions as late as the 1970s with someone named Edser. He never mentioned whether the boys wore a uniform or not. Any information would be gratefully received.

Please leave a comment if you have more information.