The Estate - Bevendean History Project
Bevendean Estate Self-Build Schemes
Spare Time Men Build 2 Houses In 7 Weeks
Completed in exactly seven weeks, the houses are the first 2 of 20 to be built by the 19 members of the Brighton ex-Service men's Society. Only fittings are needed before they are ready for occupation.
Two more houses are half built and the work goes on by lamplight.
Now that the days are shortening the men carry paraffin lamps to the Plymouth Avenue site every evening and work there until nine and 10 o’clock.
Every week-end is spent digging, building and erecting. Wives, as anxious as their husbands to see their homes go up, often accompany them. Even annual holidays have been forfeited.
Help and cooperation from Brighton firms with supplies of materials have speeded up the job considerably.
There is still room for another member of the society – but he must be a bricklayer.
All members are £50 shareholders and the inclusive rent they will pay for the modern semi-detached house will be 25s.
From the Evening Argus on 17 October 1949
Photographs and Plans Self Build Houses Plymouth Avenue
Plymouth Avenue Self Build Houses Newspaper Articles
Commemorative Stone to the Ex-Servicemen who built their own Homes
