a penny in the foundations

Perhaps it's because many of my early experiences were in 'edge' places, the windswept margins that form the North Sea coast of England and Scotland, that I feel an immediate sense of affinity whenever I visit a new place along that margin. It has been described as the Naked Coast*, an apt image for so many places which feel unprotected, exposed to the harshest elements. These places often feel to be far from anywhere, sometimes a bit run down, the people seem to be carrying the battle scars of a long struggle to survive, physical and mental. Given that the landscape is often overlaid with vast holiday parks with their serried rows of white and pale green mobile homes all pointed towards the sea, I can only assume plenty of other people feel this same connection. Who needs long sandy Mediterranean beaches, drenched in sunshine and lined with sparkling white villas?  Just as the wide, freezing, grey waters of the North Sea begin to be funnelled into the even murkier, overcro...

 Just a few weeks ago Newcastle United languished at the foot of the Premier League table. This weekend after a startling run of form they rose to the giddy heights of mid table. The pattern of the 1971/72 season was much the same, rooted to the bottom of the First Division at the end of October, they finished the season in 11th place, largely thanks to new signing Malcolm Macdonald who scored 30 goals that season. The newcomer from London became a 'Toon' hero, going on to score 138 goals in his 5 seasons with he club. The Leazes End resounded to the chant 'Supermac, Superstar, how many goals have you scored so far?' (think Jesus Christ Superstar to get the tune!) Supermac also became the face of advertising campaigns by Leech Homes, the local builders who have already featured heavily in this blog. The copywriters certainly had some 'super' fun in developing the campaign. This advert from the 'Evening Chronicle', circa 1975 also sets out some of the key...

My inspirations for this blog and the forthcoming sabbatical study it introduces, are the housing and many new communities which grew up during the 70s and 80s. This post goes back a little further focusing on a place which was most certainly a 'penny' in the foundations of my life, but which was nearing the end of its existence when I knew it. I write just after tracing my footsteps to that place. If I got my bearings correct, the village was situated on the land to the north (right) of this image. But a lot has happened since I was last there. The 'proper' name was/is East Chevington, but it was always known as Chevington Drift, after the drift coal mine which was the reason for its existence. My visits to this 'pit village' were usually to the Primitive Methodist Chapel, where dad sometimes preached, mum occasionally played the organ and for a short period where I attended Sunday School. I was probably 11 or 12 when I last visited but such was the impression ...

My recent visit to houses in which I lived as a teenager left me with a sense of disquiet. Having noted in a previous post that a number of basic architectural elements were shared across thousands of houses built by William Leech through the 60s, 70s and 80s, I was uncomfortable with the ways in which they had been adapted over the years. A quick comparison between the sales literature and the current facades reveal changes to window styles and shape, a little extension here and there, a paved front garden... Of course it would be ridiculous to expect everything to be the same - just as it was the day the builders left the site. I remember we even led the way with replacing the standard two panel glass front door, with a hardwood variety with lots of 'bullion' panes. But somehow I feel that my precious memories have been tainted. So I was intrigued to read an article recently about an exhibition focussing on a vast Local Authority development in Essex, which is about to cele...

The title 'A penny in the foundations' came from a childhood memory, as described in my previous post. It is beginning to speak to me of more than just a particular action on a specific summer evening nearly 50 years ago, helping me to delve into personal and societal influences which have shaped me. The one physical penny in the foundations is a reminder of the many tiny influences which have built up over time. As I continue to make preparations for my sabbatical next summer, aims for that period are beginning to crystalize. This blog will be in some parts, autobiographical, in some a description of domestic architecture and style in the 1970s and 80s, and in others a reflection on how communities form and change. All this will be stirred by memories, the pennies, unearthed along the way. These things are very much in mind at the moment following a short visit to Northumberland, staying very close to where this story began, and stirring lots of memories. As I have already not...

This was the one occasion when my collection of plans and brochures was revealed together in one place. It was part of an exhibition for a Church Anniversary in City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, when we shared our passions with one another. It was good to learn about each other brought in quite a few curious visitors. The books of plans in the foreground apparently have some value (around £55 each) on the second hand market, making me wonder who else shares this particular interest. Perhaps the next few months will lead to some connections? 

 During the summer of 1973 my parents fell in love with the idea of buying a newly built house. That house had to be a Leech built Type 27 - semi-detached villa (other builders were available, but their offerings were summarily rejected).  Location was less certain and we spent that summer picking out the prime plot on several different new developments. Preference went to those houses which would have an open aspect at the front and much time was spent in working out which way the sun would affect the garden. A definite choice was made more than once, one evening that summer I remember being encouraged to place a penny in a gap in the mortar of the foundation course of bricks of one such prospective purchase. As happened more than once that house was rejected a few days later and a purchase was made on another estate a few miles north. I think construction was too far advanced on that one to put a penny in the foundations!  10 Beech Drive, Ellington, Northumberland Home ...