Winchester council estate Stanmore marks 100 years since royal launch

On November 7, 1923, Edward Prince of Wales who later became King, opened the Stanmore development by planting a tree in Cromwell Road.

The estate even attracted foreign visitors, like the French, who came to see how they could replicate the ‘garden village’ of Stanmore.

Aerial shot of Stanmore, 1928 (Image: Cllr Jamie Scott)

The Hampshire Advertiser published an article in 1920 writing that the housing plans would be “the most sought after in Winchester” because they were beautifully placed.

The centenary on Tuesday, November 7 refers to north and lower Stanmore which was developed from 1920 to 1936.

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Rod Youngman by the tree in Cromwell Road (Image: Cllr Jamie Scott)

History lover Rod Youngman, 81, who first moved to Stanmore in 1949, said: “After the First World War, the need for housing in Winchester led to the creation of a new housing estate.

“Unlike before the war when working-class houses tended to be in straight rows with the front door and step leading directly onto the pavement, the city council decided to create a ‘garden village’ with each home having a front and back garden and not straight streets but crescents and other attractive small off-shoots such as Milner Place and in the middle of Cromwell Road, two closes.

“The building material came mainly by railway, a siding leading from the main Winchester to Southampton line into Stanmore.

“The siding was between Winchester Station and St Cross Signal Box. Unfortunately, no photographs have been found by railways authors of this siding.”

The first council properties were built in Cromwell Road and Princes Place at the start of the 1920s, with additional dwellings added later. The weekly rent of a two-bed varied from 11s 6d (58p) and 15s 3d (78p) for a three-bed property, which was expensive at the time, but prices were reduced a year later when the Poor Laws introduced affordable housing in 1921.

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Edward VIII planting the tree (Image: Cllr Jamie Scott)

The Prince of Wales travelled by train from Waterloo to Winchester before being driven in a Rolls Royce into Stanmore to plant a beech tree on the small green outside the recreation ground in Cromwell Road.

The commemorative metal sign marking the occasion was stolen around 40 years ago and has since been replaced with a plastic one.

After planting the tree, the future King presented the keys to a new resident at number 72 before going inside for a cup of tea.

Edward VIII at 72 Cromwell Road (Image: Cllr Jamie Scott)

Mr Youngman, of Cromwell Road, still keeps the plaque clean and saw the original stolen plaque in antiques shop in Southampton.

The Stanmore resident, who worked in the ticket office of Winchester Railway Station for 46 years, has collected lots of memorabilia including the timetable for Edward VIII’s train travel from the launch day.

From left: Reporter Adele Bouchard, Rod Youngman and Cllr Jamie Scott (Image: Cllr Jamie Scott)

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He said: “It cost me a lot of money but I was determined to have it, it’s a treasure.

“Stanmore estate seems to have been forgotten and I don’t think it should be. I like living here.

“The council houses have been let out to students, I counted 148 of them walking down this road one morning.

“I like to find out who they are and where they come from and then let them know about the bus timetable and things. I fixed a smoke alarm for them once.”

City councillor for the Stanmore ward, Cllr Jamie Scott, said: “Some parts of Stanmore are reaching 100 years old which deserves a good celebration.

“The last 10 years we have been building in Stanmore at New Queens Gate and The Valley. It’s fantastic to see the continuation of homes being provided for local people.”