Mexborough & Swinton Times, November 10
Park Road Houses
The other day I was shown round one of the new non-parlour type of houses on Park road, some of these houses are nearing completion so that one may now form a good idea of the amenities they provide. What strikes one at once in the design is the splendid way in which available space has been utilised.
Opening from a small entrance hall there is a very serviceable living room, well lit with windows back and front, and containing a cooking range of unique design made to a standard pattern, and so constructed that any part which may become damaged or worn out can be replaced without pulling the range out from its setting.
To the right of this range is a large fixture cupboard reaching from floor to ceiling with plenty of shelves, and which will, I am sure be very highly appreciated by the tenant.
The outbuildings are right and left near the back door. There is a well-appointed, if small, scullery with sink and draining board a fixed iron put for wash-day perhaps, and accommodation for a gas stove if the tenant needs one. The bath-room is fitted with the usual sand-glazed bath and porcelain washbasin, the hot to each being supplied from the combined boiler and hot water cistern which is situated at the back of the fireplace in the living room first mentioned.
It is claimed that by this arrangement the hot water circulation is reduced to a minimum and that to a large extent this solves the difficulty of “forced” hot water pipes with which we in Conisbrough are only too familiar. Even in the wash-basin we get evidence of that attention to detail which characterises the planning of these houses. The water taps are placed right and left of the back of the bowl, and therefore are out of the way when the head is held forward. I mention this because it is typical of the extreme care with which these houses have been planned. The pantry is well ventilated, is fitted with ample shelves, and has a stone slab. The houses have three bedrooms, one is fitted with a fire grate and has a closet for hanging clothes. The other two are smaller, and the larger of the two is fitted with a gas fire. The windows are of the dormer type and are so hinged that both sides of the panes can be cleaned without difficulty.
Considerations of space forbid me to describe the parlour type house, of which there are to be eight in the present scheme, four of them well on the way. Another batch of 30 houses will be built to the south, southwest and west of the ground occupied by the present scheme, and the surveyor informs me that there is ample room for these houses without interfering with the allotment gardens adjoining Ellershaw Lane, so that the allotment holders there need not fear immediate disturbance.
One must acknowledge that an unfinished building site lacks beauty, but when the carriage way is made, the grass margins are planted, the footpaths are completed, the fences are provided and the gardens in front of the houses planted, I feel sure the Conisbrough Council building scheme will be one which we may regard with justifiable pride.
Last week I referred to the fact that the needs in the locality maintained by the Urban Council had during the last two years undergone a welcome transformation and in all probability in a short time one will be able to give an equally favourable report of the County roads in our area. For some considerable time there has been a good deal of excavating and excoriating on the Doncaster road between the end of Common Lane and the Star Hotel; new curbs have been laid at each side of the road, and drains for taking surface water have or are being laid. All this has been preparatory work carried out by County workmen and this preparatory work is now so far advanced as to allow the actual work of remaking the section of road to be commenced.
The work has been entrusted to a company who specialise in re-making roads, their process being known as the “Monolastic” process, which, it is claimed gives a sound, durable and practically dustless road surface. They have established crushing and mixing plant in the old tanyard, and they commenced resurfacing work on Monday. I understand this company will also resurface the piece of road from Brook Square to Burcroft. Meantime another gang of County workmen are creeping along towards Mount Pleasant past Hill Top. These commenced some months ago at the lower gates of Thrybergh, and are leaving behind them a very satisfactory road of tar-macadam. The section from Burcroft through Denaby was done some time ago by contract, a special material being used.
It appears as though the County is experimenting with different materials in the hope of evolving the most satisfactory type of road for carrying the heavy traffic which our main roads in this area are called upon to stand.
The Building By-laws of the Urban District Council have, I understand now received the approval of the Ministry of Health, and, the provisions and regulations therein contained are now in force.
The Ministry of Health has decided to hold a local inquiry regarding the proposal of this Urban Council to borrow the money necessary to provide the Council´s share of the cost of converting the whole of the privy middens in the urban area into water closets.
I understand the Chairman of the Urban Council has been elected president of the Conisbrough Musical Society; and that Mr. Hulley has accepted that office. One can be quite certain that any organisation which is capable of uplifting the general level of culture or that provides facilities for further education, be it general, technical, or aesthetic, will find the Council Chairman in full sympathy with its efforts.