Nov 25, swans and houses BLOG #14
From the train, approaching Reading station this morning, I saw as many as thirty swans elegantly floating on the canal. They are such beautiful, enigmatic birds.
I can see how, 50 years ago, this area was mostly farmland and forest. A century ago it was still hunting forest, and it still belongs to the Queen, and was annexed to the royal hunting grounds at Windsor.
Development in the 30’s – 70’s gobbled up thousands of acres and paved the pine-strewn paths and heath, but, around here new houses and developments were generally built 1 storey (bungalows) or 2 storey, and much wide open nature reserves, woods and forest have been left.
Sprinkled in between the newer houses are the ones that have been here for 70 to 200 years, when all around them would have been fields or woods, and “High Street”, Little Sandhurst ,must have seemed like a bustling road! Now it meanders narrowly down to the railway bridge, but, fortunately for us, the old pub still stands as it did in Victorian times. It is called the “Bird in Hand” (referring to a falconer) and has a young chef who cooks really good food! Next door is a whitewashed cottage of the same period with a small painted sign above the front door that says “Two in the Bush”!
Just along the same street is an abandoned, boarded-up Victorian red brick semi-detached cottage. The glass is broken in an upper window and a hole has appeared in the original decorative slate roof. It is sad to see houses let go like that. The yard has waist-high weeds. It is joined to the cottage next to it, which has been cared for and painted, its gardens tended. It is a sweet little house for a couple or small family.
The other side, on a mound called “Mount Pleasant” are 2 beautifully-kept Victorian villas. An old gentleman lives in one, and has plaques of awards for “best garden” on his wall. He is always outside tending to his flowers and plants, and in the summer it was a colourful display.
I spot 1930’s deco-style, white houses with black window trim, and the occasional centuries-old thatched or tiled-roof house with small multi-paned windows, which were likely farms before their land was sold off. Mostly there are red brick houses and cottages from the late 1800’s. Many do not have garages, but those that do (1930’s and 50’s) are so narrow and small that no one can use them for their cars – unless you happen to own a Smart car or original Mini.
I came across a lovely property like this behind a high, thick hedge, surrounded by forest and with about an acre of garden and big barns. My interest was piqued by the large padlock on the crumbling gate and the obvious neglect of the gardens and path leading to the house. A wizened Irish gardener I met early one morning, he trimming hedges, me walking the dogs, tells me that the place was sold for development. I have been past several times and nothing is happening. It would make such a lovely family home, and it looks to be in good repair.
It bothers me to see old properties standing empty.
