Newtown Estate

One of the articles I wrote last year was on Victoria Drive, a case of having a look at where we live, and the area's development. Occasionally we are lucky enough to have a complete picture provided by the developer of a particular area.

In this instance we can thank G.A. Neal and Sons for their provision of a wide range of very interesting information when they started to develop the area the Newtown Estate in North Bersted. The estate was to comprise Central Ave., South Way, Central Drive, Newton Ave & Greencourt Drive.

 If you are not quite sure of the area, then perhaps the photo showing the Fish Bar at North Bersted, with the sign "Royal Parade 1932" which was the original Estate Office, which is quite prominent and will help you pinpoint it as the road bears to the right at North Bersted.

The developer very kindly produced a booklet, to be available for the benefit of all the applications, as he quoted "or a new property in a very desirable area."

We should first try to envisage the area, not as we know it today, but as an undeveloped open area of Bognor Regis, whose population was then 13,500. The foreword reports that, "a township has sprung up consisting of houses of which the most fastidious might well be proud, a town which has its own shopping centre." It continues, "The Newton Estate is within the boundary of Bognor Regis. That name alone speaks volumes, as it tells of happy days spent lounging in the sunshine or bathing in the clean sparkling surf."

Again we should compare the buildings of today, whereby planners fit a large number of homes into what seems to be a small piece of land. However Mr Neal decided that 'an average of 10 homes to the acre' would be constructed, each house with a gate into the back garden which was to 'enable tradesmen and others to reach the back door, without having to go through the front gate.'

Advertising within the 1930s had to encompass a different range of provision to those of today,

 hence they were in the position to announce that main drainage was completed and that homes were connected to the Bognor Regis main sewers free of cost. The new homeowners were also advised that they would be to be able to partake in gas, main water supplies in addition to electric lights and these provisions were also to be supplied free of charge. These facilities today are of course taken for granted and we do not expect to read of them as an of enticement to purchasers.
It would appear that the layout of the site was being considered very much with the new residents in mind. The homes were to contain a range of special features including large bay windows which it stated added 'attractiveness and providing more light,' and thus continued it would be 'a house into which your furniture seems to fit easily.' Like today's advertising brochures they also filled their homes with 'modern' furniture to encourage the purchaser with promises of the ability in one of the small bedrooms to 'accommodate a full size single bed and a dressing table, leaving ample room for moving around in the rooms.'

As a last incentive the brochure explained that
"everything possible was done to make the Estate the best in the district and nothing was to be spared to satisfy the needs of each and every purchaser."

Can you imagine the excitement of the housewife in the early 1930s as they purchase a home, which has a new kitchen, filled with modern conveniences such as "a sink fitted in the corner leaving room for a draining board," plus "a larder is large in size and well ventilated. The whole of the kitchen is tiled half way up the wall with a black and white capping."

Once the euphoria of this home has sunk in then of course there is the question of price and can we really afford a house of our own. Again I would remind you that we are talking about the 1930s when house purchase was definitely not the priority it is today, plus the earnings available were not sufficient to allow everyone to purchase. However again Mr. Neal is helpful and provided the information needed to make a decision on what manner of payment could be used. Price of course is important and many of these quoted as reasonable, ranged from £540 to the quite expensive £675 house.

Can you believe that some of the deposits were

£25 and repayments were to be 15s 6d. per week. (Approx. 75p)? However if you were in a position to have a cash sale, then at the signing of the formal contract a 10% was required and the balance was to be paid on completion of the property.

For the benefit of those people who had not been in a position to purchase a house before, the booklet provided more interesting and very useful information, including the note that rates which worked out at approx. 4s.0d. per week. In addition to these cost also they had to incur the cost of gas at 4/6d. per 1000 feet. And electric at just over 1d. per unit.
Additional local town information was also which advised that both the Southdown Motor Services Co. Ltd., and the Aldershot and District traction Co. Ltd., passed the estate regularly at 15 minute intervals. The railway service was also stated to be the most convenient and tickets cost 8/5d single to London, with a return ticket at 16s.10d.

As I mentioned before the developer took into account all facets of life of the new owners, including the social side with the provision of The Newton Social Club.

The original club was to comprise an area for tea, coffee and they had a 'registered bar'. There was also a billiards room, with three full sized tables, a large ballroom with a fine Canadian maple floor, and a room 'specially set apart for the ladies' I wonder if that is still there today? Another asset that was planned was the inclusion of two hard tennis courts and a putting green.
To complete the G.A. Neal package they produced a postcard, which proclaimed alongside the view of the beach, "Bognor Regis for Health". Within the card was a small flap to be lifted which displayed 12 small pull-out pictures showing the internal and external appearance of this estate. Quite a novel way to advertise a housing estate. Today the sale of a house can well be conducted through the medium of the Internet or by having a three dimensional view of a possible new home, by courtesy of the estate agent. I am sure that many of you living there today have your own views, ideas and memories of the building of this estate, but I hope that you enjoying looking back at 'how things were' whilst sitting in your house in the year 2001.

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