Your Patch
Garden Village legacy ripens to an old age
by YourMailTricia
2 months ago
in
Garden Village
Last updated 2 months ago.
from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail on Monday, July 28
Performers re-enacted the opening of Garden Village this weekend as the area celebrated its first 100 years. The open air performances were part of the centenary celebrations of the area, which is off Holderness Road. People were invited to watch schoolchildren, residents and the local amateur dramatics society playing real people who had lived in the village during the past 100 years. Children performed dances and songs from each decade. There was also a re-enactment of the opening ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, July 1, 1908. A plaque was unveiled by Mary Reckitt, a relative of factory owner James Reckitt, who built the area so that workers at his factory could move out of the slums. June Cooke, of Garden Village, helped organise the celebrations, which included community stalls, games and activities at the Oval in Garden Village. She said: “We’ve spent the past six weeks preparing and rehearsing for the day and it has really brought people from the area together.” Mrs Cooke said during the historical walk, the actors had used period dress and language. She said: “During the walk we featured people who have been part of the history of Garden Village. “We went round the old shopping centre, the rent office, the club house and the site of the old village hall. “On the way there were people in character in period dress, such as Mr Morton the shop-owner. “It was nice for the kids because it showed history in an interesting way and the actors were all using the language of the time.” Betty Burton, 73, of Willerby, was with her family at the event. She said: “The speeches and performances were really good. You can tell there has been a lot of work put into it.” Links Garden Village Society www.gardenvillagehull.co.uk Your Mail www.thisisyourmail.co.uk
Garden Village 100 year celebrations at the Oval, Garden Village. Picture, from left, Alan Robinson, secretary, and Peter Reep, chairman of the Garden Village Society.
Picture from left, Jill Burdall, Sandra Robinson and Chris Reep get into the spirit of the occasion
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YourMailTricia Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
Built for the workers to give them ‘fresher air’
from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail on Monday, July 28
THE idea for the area of Garden Village was originated by James Reckitt, one of Hull’s most well-known industrialists and humanitarians, so that his factory workers could have a nice place to live. In 1907, he formed a private company, the Garden Village Ltd, for this purpose and put £150,000 of his money into it. Other directors of his company Reckitt and Sons, who employed many local people in the area, were invited to join him and some became minor shareholders. In February 1907, Sir James Reckitt wrote to Mr TR Ferens MP, explaining his reasons. The letter stated: “Whilst I and my family are living in beautiful houses, surrounded by lovely gardens and fine scenery, the workpeople we employ are, many of them, living in squalor. “It seems to me the time has come to establish a Garden Village, within a reasonable distance of our works, so that those who are wishful might have the opportunity of living in a better house, with a garden, for the same rent that they now pay for a house in Hull with the advantages of fresher air.” Since its construction and opening in 1908, Reckitt’s factory workers and then members of the public, have enjoyed living in the distinctive Garden Village area of the city.
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MikeCovell Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
I took the kids and had a great day out!!
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YourMailTricia Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
More photographs of the day, including, Betty Burton,
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YourMailTricia Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
Griff Mellhuish
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Roberto Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
If Sir James Reckitt could have seen the day I think he would be immensely proud of his legacy. Thanks to the time and effort put in by the people in the society’s celebrations steering group & the children and actors, The whole day was a fantastic tribute. Even the good old english weather gave it’s finest performance.
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YourMailTricia Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
Brian Watson leading the Historical walk.
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YourMailTricia Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
June Cooke of the Garden Village Society
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oval Submitted 2 months ago Unsuitable Content? Report it!
What a fantastic day. I think Sir james reckitt would have been proud. Perhaps he organised the weather? who knows? clearly someone did! Well done to everyone who took part and helped make Sunday 27th july a day to remember and talk about for years to come
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