GARDEN VILLAGE

Shannon News, 2 November 1928, Page 3

GARDEN VILLAGE

FINE EXPERIMENT NEAR LONDON COMBATING CITY CONGESTION The allotment movement has proved that, while it would be impossible for a man to support a family by farming five acres of land, let such a holding bo cultivated by one who understands the intensive system of. small husband-, ry, who also possesses the necessary capital and energy to i stop and Avor'k it, and he will, make an income of £4OO to £SOO a year. The Surrey Garden Village Trust is in ttyis Avay offering-a real contribution to; the solution of a great national, problem—the overenwding of the cities, and the depopulation of the countryside. The Garden .Village consists of small hol'dings, varying from one to ten acres in extent.. In most cases a cot 1 tage or bungalow is attached, and the land is utilised for dairy .farming, market gardening', fruit and flower growing, pig and poultry farming, etc;, upon intensive lines of production, Avith the advantage of co-operative enterprise. The settlement Avas founded in 1920 in' one of the beauty spots of Surrey. It comprises about 350 acres of freehold land, and on this there are thirty workers, holdiug plots of ground. They include teachers, Civil secants, exservice men, market gardeners, labourers, etc. Some of them make a living out of the small'holdings, but the majority have other means'of livelihood, and give their spare time to the land. Charming and well-built bungalows; are erected on the estate by the trust, Avith electricity and a good water supply laid, on. If the settler cannot afford a bungalow in certain cases lie may build a little shack for himself, submitting his design to the committee. No unsightly permanent buildings arc allowed to spoil the beautiful mdulating country. The 'communal aspect of the settlement is interesting, ,with its advarit-; ages of co-operation in buying and trading'and transport, Lecturers on agricultue arc sent out free by the Croydon County Council.. Socially, whist drives are popular; again, neighbours are within reach in time of trouble, yet each settler retains his independence, and Ailtimately he owns his house and land.