HISTORY OF THE HENLEY & DISTRICT HOUSING TRUST

1928 The Henley and District Housing Trust was the outcome of a Study Circle held in the Chantry House of St. Mary’s Church in the autumn of 1928. The subject discussed was the application of Christianity to the different problems of life, social, national and international. At the last meeting members were asked to suggest some practical results of their discussions, and with a curious unanimity, and unknown to each other, they all suggested “Housing”! The need for this was beginning to be realised all over the country and several members recalled the St. Pancras Housing Scheme founded by Father Jellico, a project that proved to be our inspiration.

1929 The first step was to call a public meeting, and in March 1929 one was held in the Town Hall, with the Mayor in the chair. It was decided to form a housing society, and the Henley and District Housing Trust came into being the following month.

1930 Land was leased from the Town Council, and ten 3-bedroom houses were built and occupied by the end of the year. The freehold of all leased land was bought by the Trust in 1960, from the Henley Borough Council.

1933 More land was acquired and by August 1933 a total of twenty-eight houses had been built at a cost of £10,727. Of this sum, over half was in gifts.

1937 It was the ambition of the Trust to refurbish old cottages, and in this year five cottages, dating back to 1582, were acquired in New Street. Their history is recorded on a stone let into one of these delightful old dwellings.

1943 Up to 1943 the work done was all in Henley, but in this year a gift of four 17th Century cottages at Rotherfield Greys gave the next opportunity for refurbishment. To this was added a plot of land from Mrs Wolferstan on which two modern cottages were built. Collectively the properties are known as ‘Pear Tree Cottages’, named after the field near the Church of St. Nicholas.

1947 During the early years of the war the Honourable Gilbert and Mrs Johnstone had built in Sonning Common a row of four flats which opened onto a balcony and had the benefit of electricity and central heating. The flats were known as Cedar House and it was here that they housed bombed-out people as their guests – in all over 200. When the need for this refuge ended, these very good friends of the Trust decided to hand the property over to help with the still desperate shortage of accommodation for elderly people, or young newly-weds.

1949 Once again Rotherfield Greys comes into the story. When its much loved resident Mr Gilbert Johnstone died, his wife and sons restored and donated in his memory the five School Cottages in Greys Green, owned by Trinity College, Oxford.

1960 By the 20th April the Trust had negotiated with the Town Council and bought the freehold of the land on which the South Avenue, Trust Corner and Peppard Lane properties are built; providing much needed housing for more families. Cedar Court was deemed to be beyond repair and the house was sold. Plans were made to re-house the existing tenants in purpose-built accommodation.

1963 Mrs Sybil Whitamore, a benefactor of the Trust donated three bungalows off Trust Corner. These were named Whitamore Row in recognition of her generosity. They were opened on May 20th after the AGM.

1967 On May 12th after the AGM, four new bungalows were opened at Rotherfield Greys by Miss Empson of The Ministry of Housing and Local Government. A blessing was conducted by the Rector of Greys. The elderly tenants were all from the Greys area.

1970 Two new bungalows at Whitamore Row were opened by the Mayor, Dr Francis Sheppard. These again were a gift from our benefactor Mrs Whitamore.

1973  New kitchens and bathrooms were fitted during the refurbishment of Barnaby Cottages, New Street.

1983 Lady Brunner donated Felix Lodge, Kidmore End to the Trust, in memory of her husband, Sir Felix Brunner. This property brought the portfolio of properties to 53 units.

1985 School Cottages, Rotherfield Greys, underwent major refurbishment. During the work all tenants were re-housed in caravans in the paddock alongside the cottages. On completion they were delighted to move back into their modernised homes.

1986 Numbers 1-3 Pear Tree Cottages were re-roofed and refurbished and car parking planned for the future.

1988 The car parking for the cottages was completed and the gardens re-landscaped.

1990 Maisonettes at 1 Peppard Lane were built, with Grant Aid from the Housing Corporation. In memory of Lord Rathcreedan, a Patron for many years they were named ‘Patrick House’. Together with a new bungalow at Whitamore Row they were the first properties the Trust was able to build since the 1960s.

1991 A total refurbishment of the 28 family houses in Trust Corner, and South Avenue was planned. With the complications of moving tenants out of their homes whilst the work was carried out, it was agreed that the scheme must be phased over a four-year period. The modernisation of the houses was aided by a Grant from the Housing Corporation, and by 1993 the first phase was completed. Work was then suspended for one year while bids were put in for more funding to finish South Avenue and commence Peppard Lane. Lay-bys were installed at South Avenue to help with the ever-increasing parking problems and by August 1995 the total scheme was completed. A party was held in Whitamore Row gardens and the tenants, contractors, local Councillors, the Mayor and members of the Trust Committee celebrated the successful conclusion of this major improvement to our stock.

1996/7 The Trustees were delighted to hear that they had been left a bequest by the Ives family, who had been associated with them some forty years earlier. A bungalow in Western Avenue was purchased and by extending it, two semi-detached units were created for elderly couples. They were opened after the AGM in December by the Mayor of Henley, Councillor Buckett.

1997/8 The Trust started the year by appointing local Architects Tapp Associates to undertake a viability study with the aim of building more family houses on our existing land at Pear Tree Cottages. By re-landscaping and using some of the larger garden areas they were able to produce a scheme for three or four new houses, and improved parking for all the tenants. This was a condition required by the Planners, as well as the aim of the Trust.

1999 Waldens of Henley were the builders for the new project and despite an exceptionally wet winter, the scheme was completed in July. Three new houses, an improved drainage system and new parking, as well as landscape planting and a brick and flint perimeter wall completed the scheme. Lady Alvingham, the then current Chairman was thanked by the Mayor for her hard work in steering the Housing Trust into the next Millennium.

2000 At the beginning of the New Year we were able to begin to plan the complete refurbishment of the listed cottages in New Street. These lovely old cottages, whilst picturesque, badly needed efficient central heating and re-roofing. Boshers of Cholsey were employed and proved to be wonderful diplomats and efficient builders… even when they were holding up all of the Town traffic! It took five months, and with the improved facilities the tenants who moved back in, and our new families there are delighted with the results. A new plaque, donated by Lady Alvingham, was unveiled at a little ceremony by one of our oldest tenants.

2001 After a two-year search, the Trust brought a small Edwardian cottage at 58 Upper Market Place and obtained planning permission for part change of use into an office. The remainder of the house was refurbished and let to a young couple who had been on the waiting list for many years. The resulting workspace suits the Housing Trust well, and tenants now have easy access to the Housing Manager, and the Committees has the advantage of their own meeting place. 

2002 A contract for replacing the windows of the bungalows at Pear Tree Cottages was awarded to Henley Glass, this being the lowest tender. 10 Pear Tree Cottages was refurbished after the tenant served notice. It was agreed that a seat should be placed at Pear Tree Cottages to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Planning permission was granted for the work proposed at 58 Market Place; the proposal went to tender with the contract being awarded to Henley Building Services. The work was completed in October and a young couple moved into the flat in November.

2003 The new Trust offices were formally opened in January by Henley MP – Boris Johnson. During the year two of the bungalows in Whitamore Row were refurbished and new tenants moved into these properties in August.

2004 6 South Avenue was refurbished prior to new tenants moving into the property in May. The communal car park at Pear Tree Cottages was extended.

2005 14 South Avenue was refurbished and new tenants moved into the property in January. A major refurbishment was carried out at 3 Pear Tree Cottages. 

2006 Refurbishment of 3 Pear Tree Cottages completed in January, the new tenant and her two children moving in soon after completion. 5 Pear Tree Cottages was extended and refurbished to accommodate the tenant, her daughter and husband and their child. A full refurbishment was then carried out on 11 Pear Tree Cottages. A new tenant – a couple and their child – moved into the property in November. 

2007/8 With the new office proving successful, the Trust concentrated on purchasing new property in the town. In December 2007 we purchased number 60 Market Place, next door to the office. It was extremely run down, so the Trust completely restored this to bring it up to a good standard and it was converted into two, one bedroom flats. In September the Trust also purchased number 62 Upper Market Place, this had already had some refurbishment by the previous owner, but the Trust had to apply for planning permission in order to convert it into a two bedroom flat and a one bedroom flat.

2009 Planning permission for 62 Market Place was granted in July. The proposal went to tender with F J Williams being selected, work commenced in August.

2010 A single man moved into 62a Market Place and a couple into 62b Market Place in February.

2012/13 11 Gravel Hill was bought in May. The property was in excellent condition with only minor upgrading needed prior to a single woman moving into the cottage in early July. The long-term tenant of 2 Pear Tree Cottages moved out in November to be nearer her family in Henley. It was agreed that a major refurbishment of the property be carried out prior to a new tenant moving in. After several meetings with the Conservation Officer a scheme of works was agreed for 2 Pear Tree Cottages. The proposals went out to tender with M C Robins being selected. Works commenced in November 2013, which proved to be one of the wettest on record, resulting in a delayed completion.

2014/15 In April, a couple with two young children, moved into 2 Pear Tree Cottages. In January, 29 Leaver Road was purchased, a three bedroomed house, in good condition, requiring only minor work. A single mother and her two teenage daughters moved into the property in early February. The tenant who had lived in Felix Lodge since 1983 moved into a nursing home. The property had been bequeathed to the Trust by the Brunner family specifically for her to live in. After much discussion and with the agreement of the Brunner family it was agreed to sell the property, which is located outside the geographical area covered by the Trust. Felix Lodge was put on the market and the sale completed in July, the proceeds of the sale to be reinvested in property in Henley.

2016 Pear Tree Cottages, Rotherfield Greys saw new tenants in number 10 and number 8. An extensive redecoration of the outside walls of Barnaby Cottages New Street, the Market Place properties and School Cottages (Rotherfield Greys) was undertaken. Two new neighbouring properties were purchased in Periam Close, Henley.

2017 The Trust lost two elderly tenants, each had lived in a Trust home for many years and both great characters. But this gave homes to a local couple who were about to lose their home and a local post man. Also, a rare event, one tenant moved out (to Liverpool) making way for a local painter and decorator to move into one of our more charming town centre properties.

2018 The neighbour of one of the tenants who died the previous year, passed away this year. However, this did enable us to welcome a younger local charity worker. The Trust purchased another house in Leaver Road during the year, providing a new home to a young local family and bringing the total number of properties to seventy-one.   

2019 The Housing Trust introduced new tenancy agreements providing tenants with more security and financial incentives encouraging older tenants to downsize to smaller properties and making way for new families.  New “for life” tenancy agreements were also introduced for older tenants to provide security after retirement.
Another two-bedroom property in Periam Close (neighbouring our existing properties in the road) was purchased, bringing the number of houses to seventy-two and gave a home to local mum and daughter. In May, The Trust received planning approval for the building of two new two semi-detached properties next to School Cottages, Rotherfield Greys. In December one of our oldest tenants moved out into a home, leaving a one-bedroom bungalow empty at the end of the year.

Early 2020 A delightful and lively tenant moved out of her three-bedroom house into the empty bungalow, making way for a young family from another property to “up-size” into a bigger home.   Another of our elderly tenants was moved into a home early in the year, which also made way for another tenant to down-size. From March 2020 the Trust, like all other businesses, was severely affected by the COVID19 pandemic. In May, The Trust received planning approval for one of its properties in Leaver Road to be extended and made into two apartments and in October we were able to purchase a two-bedroom bungalow (also in Leaver Road) bringing the total number of properties to seventy-three.  Late summer another tenant also sadly lost his life. Due to the pandemic, and some remodelling of the property, it empty until early 2021.