FOUR new history boards have been put up in Charford to chart its important role in Bromsgrove’s post-war reconstruction.
The heritage panels have been created by a partnership of Bromsgrove Past and Present, The Bromsgrove Society and the district council.
Picture by Tristan Harris. s
Annie Deeley, who runs the Bromsgrove Past and Present Facebook page, began researching the area after discovering that her husband John’s parents were amongst the first residents of the new estate, moving in shortly after the Second World War.
From there the Charford History Project developed into a series of talks, articles, guided walks, and has now culminated in the production of the four heritage panels which were installed on May 10.
‘The Development of the Charford Estate’ covers the topics ‘Where it all began and why’, ‘The proposed new suburb’, ‘Lyttleton Avenue’ and ‘Charford Road’. The panels contain detailed information and pictures to tell the story of the estate from the choice of site, the initial plans, the first Garringtons houses, the building of the high school and the completion of the estate.
The panels were designed – using words and images supplied by Annie – by the marketing team at Bromsgrove District Council. They reflect the style of the heritage panels found in Bromsgrove High Street.
The boards have been funded from £3,200 from Bromsgrove District Council with £700 from the Bromsgrove Society.
The council’s portfolio-holder for leisure, Coun Philip Thomas said: “Our district is full of history and it’s great to see this being recognised in one of our estates, not just in our town and villages.
“I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy this new treasure on our doorsteps.”
Coun Michael Thompson, who represents Charford on the district council, said: “I have been involved and supportive of this project from its early stages as I was keen to promote the history which the estate boasts.
“Annie came to me over a year ago so enthused about how to tell the story of Charford and I was delighted to work with her with this project and the history talks she has done.
“It is fantastic to see these boards, once an idea of coffee, finally around Charford. It is a wonderful example of community, pride and togetherness.
“I have always been proud of the sense of community which is evident in Charford and now this can be traced back across the decades.”
Bromsgrove company Spire Graphics and Signs produced the panels which were put in place by the Worcestershire County Council Highways Department.
Anyone interested in local history is encouraged to visit the estate to view the heritage panels which can be found outside St Andrew’s Church on Lyttleton Avenue, on Humphrey Avenue close to the Community Hub, outside Charford First School and close to the site of the old Charford Mill, now South Bromsgrove High School, on Charford Road.
An article on the history of the Charford Estate by Annie Deeley, was printed in a recent edition of the Rousler which is available at bsoc.co.uk – the Bromsgrove Society website.
