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Post war self-build development

“The houses in Plymouth Avenue were a post war self build development. There is a plaque commemorating those involved on one of the house walls. It is a little weathered today but I can still make out the name of my uncle Bill Lemon.

It says “The Brighton Ex-Servicemens Housing Society Limited. To commemorate that these twenty houses numbered 45-83 were built by the voluntary labour of the undermentioned members.”

Sam later followed in her uncle’s footsteps by joining the Hedgehog self build co-operative in Bevendean.

Sam Carroll now lives. There are nine families in adjacent homes." data-title="The Hedgehog self build co-operative in Bevendean, where Sam Carroll now lives. There are nine families in adjacent homes.">
The Hedgehog self build co-operative in Bevendean, where Sam Carroll now lives. There are nine families in adjacent homes.
Plymouth Avenue commemorates the post-war volunteer labourers who built their own houses. Sam Carroll's uncle was one of them. | Photos taken by Sam Carroll" data-title="The plaque on the wall in Plymouth Avenue commemorates the post-war volunteer labourers who built their own houses. Sam Carroll's uncle was one of them.">
The plaque on the wall in Plymouth Avenue commemorates the post-war volunteer labourers who built their own houses. Sam Carroll's uncle was one of them.
Photos taken by Sam Carroll

Comments about this page

  • My father, Leslie Spalding, is on there too. He was the Secretary of the Society, and used to go round to each house every Monday evening to collect rents. I remember being appalled at the fact that rent still had to be paid when the resident was on holiday!

    By Mike Spalding (25/11/2008)
  • Hi Mike. How lovely to see you here too, old neighbour! Hope all is well with you and yours. Bill Lemon is fondly remembered! (I always thought he was Bert Lemon and the reason I always called my favourite sweet, sherbert lemons, ‘Bert lemons’!)

    By Elaine Tiffin (11/02/2012)
  • Hi, Elaine! I’ve been living in Juneau, Alaska, since 1979. Drop me a line if you’d like at mikespalding@gci.net.

    By Mike Spalding (03/03/2012)

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