Winchester City Council
Winchester City Council
11/07/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/07/2023 02:36
Stanmore tree celebrates centenary
Stanmore tree celebrates centenary
Today marks a very special anniversary for a local tree - this beech tree in Stanmore is celebrating its centenary as it was planted 100 years ago on 7 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, to commemorate the building of the estate.
The tree can be found at Cromwell Road near the entrance to the recreation ground and it has a plaque at its base acknowledging its history. We spoke to Stanmore resident and local historian Rod Youngman about its history.
Mr Youngman, 81, first moved to Stanmore in 1949 and attended the local school before eventually settlling in Winchester later when his father was moved to a local naval base. He returned to the area in 1975 and moved to his current home beside the tree in 1980.
He said: "The tree's original plaque was stolen and I located it in an antique shop in Southampton. I rang the owner and he said that it had been sold so it's around somewhere. I keep an eye on the current plaque and clean it regularly.
"I was lucky enough to get hold of the plan of the royal train from the day itself as the Prince of Wales travelled here via train - I worked on the railways at Winchester for 46 years and am interested in trains - which was only given to the people who needed to be 'in the know'. I wish it could talk; what amazing history it has witnessed.
"The materials for building the houses also came by rail and a special siding, was established for the purpose but I have never been able to locate any images of it.
"When the estate was first built, it created quite a sensation. The magazine Country Life in or 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. A delegation actually came from France to look at Stanmore with a view to building something similar there.
"Cromwell Road was the first area to be built and on the 100th anniversary of the King Alfred buses, two vintage buses were run along the first ever route up the road.
"I have seen huge changes in Stanmore over the years. I am so proud of living here and I am proud of the tree.
"There are a lot of students who live here now and I am grateful for them; I like the young people. We have some living right next door and I think that they initially think people don't want them here but I like to lean over the fence and say 'hello, where are you from?' I bake a cake and take it round. I say let me know if you're having a party - and if you're having a barbecue, invite me round!"
Last Updated: Tuesday 7 November 2023