A stroll around the estate: some observations

Garages – Relatively few cars are today kept in garages at the rear of properties due to house extensions making it impossible or extremely difficult to drive from front to back. Most cars are parked at the front. In some cases, cars are parked in garages built at the front or, in the case of an end house, at the side.

Gates – Whereas at one time many properties had attractive iron or wooden gates at their front, these have largely been removed with the passage of time as car ownership has increased so that front lawns and drives have been converted into parking areas. In many cases gateposts have been removed and access widened. Some gateposts have been rebuilt but at a lower height. All over the estate can be seen gateless fronts but many still with the original iron hinges embedded in the gatepost. That said, many houses have had attractive and secure gates erected at the front.

A relatively new practice in recent decades has been the erection of (usually) large wooden or iron gates at the side of the house blocking off access from front to back. The incentive for this development has been the need for security. In some cases, a degree of symmetry can be seen where a builder has erected identical gates for next-door neighbours. 

Alarms and security – Almost all houses now have had modern alarm systems installed for security and protection. In addition, CCTV, lighting, motion sensor lights and doorbell cameras are used widespread.

Front garden walls – Many of these have eroded and crumbled over time and have been rebuilt.