The Foredown Frontier: From Cowhayes Farm to the Urban Semi
This article explores the transformation of the eastern edge of Portslade, where the ancient flint buildings of Cowhayes Farm were replaced by the modern residential grid overseen by the Chief of Housing.
1. The Economics of the 1930s "Dream"
In the mid-1930s, a semi-detached house on Foredown Drive was the "Modern Movement" standard, priced at approximately £500.
The Weekly Cost: With a building society loan, repayments were roughly 12s to 15s a week.
Purchasing Power: A pint of beer was roughly 6d, and a large loaf of bread was 4d.
The Wage Gap: For a skilled tradesman earning about £3 10s a week, these homes were aspirational—requiring nearly a quarter of their gross income.
2. The Planning and Builders
The development was a collaboration between official oversight and private enterprise, moving in distinct waves.
Comber & Wheatland Builders: This firm was a primary force, receiving approval for a major sixteen-house block in 1938 and returning for a post-war push in 1945.
H. Baker & Sons: Rival industrial-scale builders who, alongside the journeymen bricklayers, provided the sheer volume of labour required for the "Infill" stages.
The Official Signature: Mr. Alexander (Chief of Housing) was the gatekeeper, signing off on the plans that transformed the old farm tracks into established roads.
3. Fairfield Gardens: The Hamblett Milestone
Fairfield Gardens serves as the physical map of the "Infill" era, transitioning from larger semis to the unified row of ten bungalows.
The Row of 10: Numbers 37 to 55 represent a specific post-war contract. The Hamblett family moved into No. 47 around 1950, seeking independence after living in a shared family home.
The Neighbours: The Starlings at No. 45 represented the "established" generation, maintaining the immaculate gardens that defined the street’s original 1950s aesthetic.
A Vanishing View: Modern Street View shows a shift from those green frontages to concrete "hard-standing," where the Hamblett garden is now occupied by a large campervan and cars.
4. The Legend of the Qualcast
The garden at No. 47 was the training ground for a future master groundsman.
The Mower: A heavy Qualcast with a steel rear roller and wooden front rollers, sturdy enough for a small child to ride on the frame while their father mowed.
The Legacy: This early passion for turf led the elder Mr. Hamblett to eventually care for the wicket at Portslade Cricket Club, even after they moved their base to the Benfield Valley.
The Portslade Cricket Club
The club's move to the Benfield Valley marks a significant chapter in local recreation, preserving a green corridor where the old Hove golf course once stood.
Portslade Cricket Club is a historic institution that serves as the heart of the town's sporting life, now settled in its expansive grounds in the valley.
Features a well-maintained square that requires professional groundskeeping.
Serves as a community hub for local cricket enthusiasts.
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