Winchester City Council

11/07/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/07/2023 08:38

A centenary of Stanmore – the area celebrates its 100th anniversary

A centenary of Stanmore - the area celebrates its 100th anniversary

Today, November 7, marks a very special anniversary for a local Winchester estate.

It is 100 years since a beech tree was planted in Stanmore marking the occasion of the official opening of the site for development.

The tree was planted in November 1923 by the then HRH the Prince of Wales, the man who would go on to become Edward VIII in 1936 before abdicating the throne the same year.

Stanmore resident and history enthusiast Rod Youngman alongside the Stanmore beech

The tree can be found near the entrance to the recreation ground and it has a plaque at its base acknowledging its history.

The properties built in Stanmore were innovative for their time, with hot and cold water in their bathrooms.

Rod Youngman, a history enthusiast and long-time resident of Stanmore, regularly cleans the plaque. Speaking about the area over the years, Rod said:

"When the estate was first built, it created quite a sensation. The magazine Country Life, around June 1923, ran a feature on what they called the Winchester Garden Village.

"At the time, it was amazing; before that, working men's houses weren't like that at all."

"I have seen huge changes in Stanmore over the years. I am so proud of living here and I am proud of the tree."

Mayor of Winchester Cllr Angela Clear said:

"Stanmore is an important part of the Winchester community and, for many residents, the tree that stands as testament to its 100 year history is a landmark feature of the area.

"My thanks go to Mr Youngman for his tireless efforts in cleaning and preserving the plaque that denotes this very special tree, and for his dedication to the vibrant community that calls Stanmore home."

Today, Stanmore continues to grow and, in 2022, 77 new social rent and shared ownership homes were completed by the council.

The new properties continue the theme of innovation that defined the estate's earlier homes, with modern measures such as significant insulation, advanced draft-proofing, and heat-saving ventilation systems helping to reduce running costs for residents.

The addition of rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging points in the area mean that the development is at the forefront of the local authority's efforts to become greener faster.

Cllr Chris Westwood, Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Housing, added:

"The history of council housing in Stanmore is one of a strong community spirit and Mr Youngman's care and attention really epitomises this."

"The homes that were built in Stanmore all those years ago were noted for being ahead of their time and, as a council, we're proud to have continued that tradition with the homes we created at The Valley offering a top standard of energy efficiency to their residents."

Last Updated: Tuesday 7 November 2023