BANCROFT GARDENS, HITCHIN – CONSERVATION PLAN

Stage 1: Conservation Assessment

An assessment of the history of the site followed by an assessment of any cultural, historic and architectural importance of the few 20th century buildings and associated features.

INDEX: Hitchin: Historic Background Bancroft – Local context Development of the recreation ground: Special interest at the recreation ground Parks and open spaces in context  Hertfordshire Parks and Gardens Buildings in context  Buildings of Importance and Landmarks  (Un) Listed buildings: Themes  The Landscape – Area 1  The River Hiz – Area 2  Lavender and Leather – Area 3 Conservation Assessment  Significance:  Summary Proposals for Bancroft Recreation Ground:  Issues:  Opportunity:  Conservation benefits include:  Objectives for Bancroft Recreation Grounds:  Management Implications: Historic plans Historic images SQUIRE HERITAGE CONSULTING

INTRODUCTION

Bancroft Recreation Ground is an urban park of 8.5 acres located in the centre of the historic market town of Hitchin. It is a designated public open space and lies in a conservation area. The Gardens are owned and maintained by North Herts District Council and are the only green space in the town centre.

It is identified as an important green space in the Conservation Area Character Assessment1 and NHDC‟s Green Spaces Strategy has identified it as a site in need of improvements. It has a variety of trees and formal garden areas, a children‟s playground, a bandstand, a river walk and facilities for sport (tennis courts, bowling greens and the bowling green pavilion).

1. Hitchin: Historic Background

Hitchin is a medieval market town with narrow streets and lanes, and a large market square surrounded by Tudor and Georgian buildings. Originally a Saxon burgh (A.D. 758 King Offa) then a Norman town, the settlement developed next to a small stream (the River Hiz). This position benefited its wool and malting trade and subsequent prosperity in early times. It accounts for the fact that Hitchin is one of the oldest continuously occupied urban centers in Hertfordshire.

The ancient Icknield Way passes immediately to the north and there is evidence of Roman activity (for example the Roman villa at Purwell). The origins of the settlement itself, however, probably start later with the Hicca, a Saxon tribe whose name is related both to that of the town and to the River Hiz

Medieval Hitchin became the centre of an important Royal estate, the origin of its continued status as a Royal Manor. Its Church was well located for a large ecclesiastical area on the Hertfordshire-Bedfordshire border and there is evidence of a relatively large population at this time, the biggest between St Albans and Bedford

The manor of Hitchin was the head of the group of Hertfordshire manors held by Earl Harold, to which William I succeeded after the Conquest2. The great barons of the north, the Baliols, included Hitchin as one of their estates, whilst during the reign of Edward III the Lady of the Manor was the notorious Alice Ferrers, the King's mistress.

Other owners of the manor included William of Wykeham, noted Bishop of Winchester; Sir Hugh Seagrave, who fought at Crecy with the Black Prince; Richard, Duke of York, who was slain during the Wars of the Roses; Anne, the queen of James I, and Henrietta, the queen of Charles I.

Hitchin grew wealthy on grain, sheep, cattle, cloth-making, brewing, tanning and associated trades. The river was ideal for brewing and the flat plains surrounding the town meant corn was grown as the chief product of the district for more than 300 years. The market was established (1221) and two priories and a watermill represented the towns importance in medieval times. Hitchin Priory (1317) was founded as a Carmelite Friary and the Gilbertine monastery (now The Biggin) was established in 1361.

Middle Ages In the middle age it was one of those numerous little manorial towns which existed throughout England with varying liberties which bordered upon borough rights. Historically, the important family in

1 Bancroft north and Bancroft Recreation Ground is Character Area 1 of Hitchin Conservation Area:

2 The entry in the Doomsday Book of 1086 famously records that “Rex Willelmus tenet Hiz” (“King William holds Hitchin”).

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the town was The Radcliffe and Delme-Radcliffe families, who owned Hitchin Priory and its estate from 1548 until 1965, as well as other estates in Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Cambridgeshire. Following the earliest map of Hertfordshire (Saxton‟s 1577), the town appears to have developed substantially by 1676 with a mill noted on the outskirts of the town representing its industrial activity.

In the 16th century, the town‟s reputation for malt led to Queen Elizabeth I‟s alleged retort to a Spanish nobleman who had been extolling the virtues of the vineyards at home: “My Hitchin grapes surpass them, or those of any country”.

18th – 19th century The town of Hitchin retains its mediaeval plan and the earliest surviving town plan (c1750) shows the long, thin burgage plots and development is focused on the one main street (now Bucklersbury, Market Place, High Street and Bancroft) centered around the church and market place.

The prosperity of the eighteenth century was reflected in the refracting of many timber-framed buildings that were given stylish classical brick fronts. As people from the country came to the town to seek work, new trades such as iron-founding and agricultural machinery developed.

Philanthropic endeavour improved local health and education through, for example, the first steps towards a local hospital and the foundation of the British Schools (in 1810).

Between 1801-51 the population grew as fast as at any time in the town‟s history (from 3,161 to 7,077) and yet the accommodation did not expand much beyond its medieval framework. The result was gross overcrowding and serious disease. In 1848 Hitchin was one of the first towns to take advantage of new legislation to establish a Board of Health.

In 1850 the Great Northern Railway placed Hitchin on the main line from London to the north and led to its development as the natural business and commercial centre of North Hertfordshire. A corn exchange soon attracted merchants from as far away as Liverpool with grain moved by train. William Ransom became a major pharmaceutical chemists and Perks and Llewellyn developed an important lavender industry. A glimpse into the natural world of the early nineteenth century is given through the writings and observation of Joseph Ransom, forbearer of the Ransom pharmaceutical dynasty3.

20th century In the late nineteenth century, towns such as Watford and Luton increased in importance at the expense of Hitchin, but the town proved adaptable enough to maintain its unique position. Its economic base was diversified from the 1920‟s while its essential characteristics as an attractive market town were preserved. Letchworth has developed since 1910 and Stevenage grew rapidly too, particularly in the 1950s becoming the base for pharmaceutical and aerospace companies. Since 1945 changes in local agriculture have ended the cattle and corn markets leading to the closure or collapse of town industries such as Ransoms, Russell‟s tannery and the breweries. Many people now make the commute to London or to the pharmaceutical and aerospace companies in Stevenage.

3 Joseph Ransom's Naturalist's Notebook 1804-1816; The Nature Notes of a Hitchin Quaker Published by Hitchin Historical Society 2004

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Plan of the town of Hitchin, by Drapentier (after Chauncy’s History of Hertfordshire, 17004)

Sunday afternoon concert, 1930’s

2. Bancroft – Local context

The original plan of Hitchin is typical of country market towns, as it clusters around a large triangular market-place formed by the widening of the road. The market-place originally extended from the south side of Tilehouse Street on the south to Bancroft on the north, and from the east side of Sun Street on the east to the west side of Bucklersbury and High Street on the west.

4 Sir Henry Chauncy's important work on Hertfordshire was published in 1700, apparently in a print run of 500 copies. Chauncy was an eminent lawyer and antiquarian. The detailed bird's eye view of the town was drawn and engraved by J. Drapentier.

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Hitchin is fortunate in having retained so many of its ancient houses, though most of them have been refronted and much altered in the 18th and 19th centuries. In Bancroft or Bancroft Street, at the north end of the market-place, are many old houses. Bancroft is a wide thoroughfare with several Georgian buildings with door cases representative of the Tuscan, Doric and Corinthian orders of columns. It has narrow streets with many listed buildings of two or three storeys‟ provide a complex, closely contained streetscape of great quality.

As Nikolaus Pevsner remarked in his book on Hertfordshire, Hitchin is after St. Albans, the most visually satisfying town in the county. The most notable building is the Parish Church of St. Mary, which stands in the town centre near both the market place and River Hiz. Its size and richness of architecture represent the commercial wealth of a late mediaeval town.

Hitchin Priory is a late 18th century mansion, a handsome building with a Palladian facade from modified Adam designs. The north side incorporates a few fragments of the original priory founded in the 14th century by Carmelites (or White Friars). After the Dissolution the Priory belonged for almost four centuries to the Radcliffe family. The courtyard is partly flanked by cloister arches and partly by the north front of the house, built in 1679. Also of interest are the 18th century brick coach house, stables and attractive little bridge over the Hiz.

The Tithe map of Hitchin, 1844 has specific detail, showing Whinbush Road to exist on the eastern boundary of the site. Bancroft is lined with buildings and to the rear of Bancroft small buildings line the alley way and the southern periphery. To the rear the River Hiz is noticeable by its distinctive artificial kink, which marks another boundary of the area.

According to the First Edition Ordnance Survey of 1881, The Lavender Distillery appears to occupy the majority of the buildings to the south of the area.

Figure 1: 1840, Tithe map

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Figure 2: Aerial reconnaissance from English Heritage: DATE?

3. Development of the recreation ground:

Created in the 1920s, it retains the character of a municipal park with a children‟s play area, Bowling Green, pavilion and bandstand. There are many mature trees, though not as large or impressive as the trees in Priory Park or Windmill Hill (See No. 5).

In the 19th century maps (1881, 1898, Figure 3) show the site of the Recreation Ground as being osier beds and nurseries, diagonally crossed by a path known as „Gas Path‟ which led to the Gas Works at Starling Bridge, where the River Hiz flows under Nightingale Road. Frythe Cottages, Starlings Bridge and Skynners Almshouses provide the built context at this time.

The 1840 Tithe map shows the triangular shape of the land clearly named as Benns Mead, with orchards to the south and gas works to the north. It is enclosed on the east side by the River Hiz. (Benns Mead is known to have been connected with the charitable organisation established through the building of Skynners almshouses in 4 June 1666. The eight almshouses in Silver Street were erected on land known as Benn's Mead when they were given in 1670 by Sir Thomas Byde for charitable purposes. The land was consequently connected with endowments and tenancies of the almshouses).

In the second Half of the 19th century, basket making was one of Hitchin‟s main industries and the willow grown in the osier beds would have been a contributory factor in its success at the time5.

5 Hitchin's Straw Plait Industry, N. E. Agar, Ph.D; Published by Hitchin Historical Society in collaboration with North Herts District Council Museums Service, second edition, 1998

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The osier beds at Bancroft Recreation Grounds however are known to have been used for providing the raw material for Hitchin's basket making shops. The man in an 1870 photo is William Beaver who is known to have owned the osier beds in the 1860's/ 70's. Basket making survived in Hitchin for a long time and the last survivor carried on in practice until after the Second War.

Development of adjacent lands was connected with the connection to the river Hiz and by 1922 the Leather Dressing Works was established to the south. Orchards are shown to the side of Skynners Almshouses and Hitchin Gas Company is given as the named operator of the Gas works. The land was purchased in 1924, when the Council was also beginning work on the Queen Street area. The presence of two large complexes (Lavender and Leather works) of buildings by the river to the south of the grounds is a well recorded illustration of the areas previous uses.

The Survey (Figure 4) drawing by the County in 1927 shows the paddling pool, Bowling Green and the singularly important path leading in a diagonal direction fro, the pool to the Bancroft entrance. It became Bancroft Recreation Ground by 1929 (date given by Reginald Hine in his „History of Hitchin‟6). The pavilion was also built in that year and the central feature of the band-stand, was in regular use in the summer, by the Hitchin Town Silver Band.

A pond was installed, and bowls and tennis facilities were set up. In the 1930‟s the Silver Band performed annually at Crystal Palace and the Recreation Grounds became a popular place to visit for people of all ages and recreational interests. The historic photographs produced by Frith (1931, 1955) illustrate the setting and detail of the Grounds in its early years.

The car park was then nurseries and orchard with a small woodland walk along the bank of the Hiz. A basic toilet existed backing onto the gasworks wall and a drinking fountain near the shelter. The 1931 Official Guide describes the eight and a half acre plot as thus: If you are weary you can turn into our new Recreation Ground and sit at ease in its gard ens 7 and watch the city fathers at their bowls and the young men at their tennis

8 1870 Basket makers at Bancroft osier beds

6 Published 1929, states in the chronology p 436 - ”The Bancroft Recreation Ground laid out at a cost of £8000". 7 Discovering Hitchin, Priscilla M. Douglas (Author), Pauline Humphries

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Figure 3;1881

h CHIN UIJlwi,N ;)IST c:r -'-'o(Li! --.. !.ANCWfT Re.C1U. GROUHl>

Figure 4;1927 Survey

8 15th September 1983, page 14, Recreation Ground, Bancroft; Stevenage Gazette

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At the Second World War all the metal fencing was lost to munitions for the war effort. Part of the park was given to the District Council by Upchurches9, the old Hitchin Nursery Company. A benefactor gave money for the new hall in the 1960s – said to be in gratitude to the WRVS who provided a meals-on-wheels service from the small pavilion.

The 1966 map shows the site laid out as present. The 1970‟s saw an increase in vandalism and skate-boarding arrived as government legislation dictated that play areas should have safe surfaces for apparatus to rest on.

In 2006 when the Caldicott Centre was looking to replace the hall with a new building for new premises for a youth club.

In 2009, the renaming of the Recreation Ground was considered at this time as the Parks strategy stated that recreation grounds are on the edge of towns or in villages.

4. Special interest at the recreation ground

Today the Recreation Ground provides a children‟s play area, tennis courts and a bowling club, all well used and supported. The pavilion, clubhouse, circular bandstand and boundary wall, gates and gate piers are all considered to be buildings of local interest.

 The pavilion-clubhouse was constructed c.1929, rendered brick and tiled roofs; pavilion clock-face 1929. The Park‟s pavilion, bandstand and boundary walls have group value.  The bandstand has a tiled roof supported on eight pillars enclosing a central circular covered space. The Park‟s pavilion, bandstand and boundary walls have group value.  Boundary walls, gates and gate piers; The park boundary walls to Bancroft/Nightingale roads constructed of Hitchin iron-slag; original iron entrance gates and piers at the three main entrances. The Park‟s pavilion, bandstand and boundary walls have group value. (Similar walls are seen facing Hollow Lane, in Walsworth Road and facing Hitchin Hill)

The park is a counterbalance to the Garden City movement that arose at the start of the 20th century, with Letchworth (1904) and Welwyn (1919) the first of their kind10. The Grounds however were different and rather than being a self-contained community surrounded by "greenbelts" (with proportionate areas of residences, industry and agriculture) were part of the suburban growth of the town.

The bandstand is a later reflection of the many in the UK that originated in the Victorian era as the British brass band movement gained popularity. The architectural style is clearly influenced by the late Victorian circular structure that was considered a necessity in parks by the end of the 19th century. Most bandstands were created in response to the Industrial Revolution, when local authorities realized worsening conditions in urban areas meant there was an increasing need for green, open spaces. Although later than many urban parks the Grounds played an important part in the expansion of the suburbs that followed the First War.

With the loss (through neglect or vandalism (between 1979 and 2001) of more than half of the 438 bandstands in historic parks across the country, the significance of a later surviving bandstand cannot be underestimated.

9 Upchurch was apparently one of 3 local contractors who might have done work in Bancroft in the 1920s 10 Movement initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard

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The pavilion-clubhouse

The bandstand

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Boundary walls, gates and gate piers,

5. Parks and open spaces in context

Parks and open spaces are a notable feature of Hitchin, several extending along the banks of the River Hiz as it winds its way through the town. Priory Park's one hundred acres define the southern edge of the town, while other open spaces include Ransom's Recreation Ground, Walsworth Common (to the east of the railway lines) and, to the north west of the town centre, Butts Close.

The latter is known to have been a mediaeval archery training ground which now contains the town's swimming pools and adjoins the football ground. Butts Close is the oldest remaining open space in the town and is now an attractive public park which is notable for its physical features, such as the mature trees, the pond, the meadow area and the many pathways which cross it.

Priory Park forms the setting to The Priory Conference Centre and is not normally open to the public. There is a large section of parkland that contains a large number of trees, including some important „specimen‟ examples dating to the 18th or 19th century. The park also retains remnants of 18th and 19th century landscape features, an icehouse, the listed stables, other outbuildings and a bridge over the River Hiz. The river flows through the park and has been dammed to create a long artificial „lake‟ which is visible from the bridge which crosses it close to the main house. The area of the former Kitchen Garden has been developed with large blocks of offices and houses.

To the east of the town are the natural slopes of Windmill Hill, its name another reminder of the town's former dependence on grain products, with panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside. Windmill Hill is a public open space which is notable for the mature woodland around the former quarry (The Dell), used in an informal way for theatrical productions in the past.

Ransom’s Recreation Ground was donated to Hitchin by the Ransom family in 1927. Ransom‟s Pavilion (dated 1930) was renovated in 2010 and the north side is now used by the Triangle Garden

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for workshops and social and therapeutic purposes. Walsworth Common is a water meadow connected to Purwell Field, and acting mainly as a nature reserve and recreational area.

Avenue Park (Baldock) is a large attractive enclosed park surrounded by mature trees which was originally developed back in the 1950s. Broadway Gardens (Letchworth Garden City), was developed following receipt of a £1 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The layout and design of the gardens reflects the initial aspirations of Ebenezer Howard who was responsible for principals and designs of the world‟s first Garden City.

Priory Memorial Gardens (Royston) is a large attractive enclosed park surrounded by mature trees, hedging and walls which was originally developed back in 1950s after formally being attached to a Nunnery

Hertfordshire Parks and Gardens Hertfordshire‟s historic parks and gardens are examples of the social and economic history from which they come.

Hertfordshire‟s proximity to London swiftly made the county into a place for both the display of its success and respite from pressures of industrial life. Beginning with the hunting parks and Renaissance gardens of the Bacons, Cecils and Capels in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and their gradual replacement by designed landscapes, Hertfordshire individuals have long sought greater space and comfort within easy reach of the capital. The theme continues through to successful Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian entrepreneurs and professionals seeking an idealised country existence while travelling daily to the City, culminating in the tree-lined legacy of the early garden cities.

„Capability‟ Brown played a role in shaping the Hertfordshire landscape whilst in the nineteenth century industrial development made an impact. The Arts and Crafts movement brought contributions from famous designers, Lutyens and Jekyll at Knebworth, and Mawson at Berkhamsted and Bushey. In parallel, services developed to supply the demand for elaborate gardens were seen in the form of plant nurseries, estate gardeners and the Lea Valley glasshouses.

Of the many great estate gardens which belonged to powerful families, the most important is the late- renaissance garden at Hatfield House. Ashridge (Berkhamsted) is a fine example of Humphry Repton's garden design theory. St Paul's Walden Bury is a celebrated Grade I listed landscape garden (early 18th century) that is noted for being an example of the Forest Style (occupying a transitional place between the Baroque and Landscape styles of garden design).

Many of the Victorian public parks were philanthropic gifts to the people of the local community by wealthy industrialists and landowners whilst others were created by public subscription. The best and most innovative park designs have proven to be remarkably robust, and throughout their history have continually adapted to meet new needs and are still cherished today by the people who use them.

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Figure 5: Open spaces and Green areas

Entrance to Ransom's Recreation Ground Butts Close

Walsworth Common Priory Park

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Windmill Hill, Hitchin Ransom Physic Garden, Hitchin

Howard Park & Gardens, Letchworth Broadway Gardens, Letchworth

Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston Avenue Park, Baldock

6. BUILDINGS IN CONTEXT

Buildings of Importance and Landmarks The dense, urban character of the town centre changes to a more suburban character in the northern part of Bancroft, largely due to the varied buildings and the visual effect of the green spaces associated with the park. At the northern tip of the conservation area, around the junction of Nightingale Road and Grove Road and beyond the conservation area boundary, the character changes with the start of long terraces of artisan cottages or houses, developed in the mid to late 19th century after the railway was built.

Select listed buildings stand on the north and south west boundaries of the Grounds providing interesting built context. A number of unlisted buildings in the Hitchin Conservation Area have been

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identified as being „positive‟ buildings and so contribute to the special interest of the conservation area. Landmarks are identified as being a mix of listed and non-listed buildings, falling both within and on the outside of the Recreation Grounds.  Frythe Cottages and Skynner‟s Almshouses (listed)  The pavilion-clubhouse (local list)  The bandstand (local)  Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew Church (local)  Starlings Bridge (local)

Listed buildings:

Frythe Cottages and Skynner’s Almshouses The area around the Recreation Ground has a number of heritage sensitivities which are identified on the Conservation Area Appraisal map (Figure 4). The northern section of Bancroft, where it curves eastwards around Bancroft Recreation Ground, has a mixture of both modern and historic buildings on the western side. This includes a terrace of grade II listed cottages (Nos. 1-4 Nightingale Road, Frythe Cottages) with a distinctive early 19th century red brick front elevation, a steeply pitched tiled roof and Gothic and front doors with leaded light casement windows. The terrace is important in views northwards along Bancroft.

The 17th century Skynner‟s Almshouses (nos. 68 - 83 consec.) comprises two brick-built single storey ranges dated 1670 and 1698. These are listed grade II and sit back slightly from the road behind a contemporary brick wall which is broken in two places by entrance arches containing a sunken stone panel commemorating the charitable gift. The Court Wall and entrance Gateways are an important part of the building‟s setting.

Opposite the almshouses is a distinctive pair (No. 45 and 46 Bancroft) of 17th century plastered houses of 2 storeys beneath steep tiled roofs of different levels, divided by a small cross-gable. The taller house (No 45) has a large carriageway and a modern shop-front, beneath an overhanging upper storey. No 46 has two three-sided bay windows on the ground floor.

Several listed buildings are located to the southern end of Bancroft giving an almost continuous frontage of high quality listed buildings, some of them listed grade II* (nos. 26/27 and nos. 105/106 Bancroft). A late 18th-century town house is located at 21a Bancroft and a town house dating to c. 1700 at 26 and 27 Bancroft.

105 Bancroft is possibly of 17th century date and was established as a manufacturing chemist in 1846, by William Ransom, which specialized in the distilling of herbs. The company also owned some of the properties to the rear, some of which were destroyed by fire in 1960. The building is still occupied by Ransom & Co, and in use as a distillery.

Skynner’s Almshouses Photo 6 Nos. 1 - 4, Nightingale Road (listed)

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Locally listed: Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew Church Built in 1902 in the Early English style with later bell tower (c1907); the architect was R Purdy of Blean near Canterbury and the builders were the long established Hitchin firm of Francis Newton. It provides a key entrance feature to the Conservation Area and is symbolic of Hitchin‟s important early twentieth century Catholic community.

Nos.1-6, 7a and 8-12 Midland Cottages Attractive row of twelve mid nineteenth century terraced and semi-detached cottages, some extended, in white brick with red detailing and some original slate roofs. They were built for railway staff in conjunction with the arrival of the Midland Railway and are of group value and form a focal point when viewed across Ransom‟s Recreation Ground.

52-54 Nightingale Road Pair of mid nineteenth century cottages with central date plaque; „NIGHTINGALE COTTAGES 1844‟ thereby identifying the cottages amongst the earliest buildings in the northeast quarter of the town. The cottages are constructed in high quality Flemish bond brickwork with gable end brick chimney stacks. Window and door openings have flat gauged brick voussoirs. The cottages are set slightly back from the road indicating their early mid-19th century origin. This pair of cottages displays good quality brickwork and is an important example of the early development of Nightingale Road.

WIDER DESIGN INFLUENCES Portland stone door surrounds (29 Bancroft), mock Tudor framing (112) and pagoda style tile roof (no 1) are some outstanding features of buildings of local interest in South Bancroft. No 88-89 is a well preserved three-storey late nineteenth/early twentieth century building with shops at ground floor. It has a range of three oriel windows at first floor and two four-light half dormers on either side of central gable at second floor. The façade displays a wealth of period detailing.

Design influences in the wider area include barge boarding & and terra-cotta tiling (Fishponds Road), mock Tudor buildings (Hermitage Road), Villa‟s and Lodge‟s (Benslow Lane). Red brick and yellow glazed tiles with Art Nouveau mosaic detailing (High Street) and white faience tiles are typical features of Late Victorian buildings in the High Street.

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS A number of buildings and structures are connected with the emerging role of the area at the time of the railways to the east of the Park. Starlings Bridge The bridge represent the entrance to the Gas Works buildings of the Hitchin Gas Company 1834 They survive as part of the Starlings Bridge residential redevelopment and are a key marker/entrance to the Conservation Area.

Railway Weighbridge and warehouse, Nightingale Road The Leicester and Hitchin/Midland Railway weighbridge building of 1857 is a low lying white/redbrick building with slate roof. It lies along the former dividing line between the Great Northern goods yard (to the east) and the Midland Railway goods and engine yards (to the west), a division which survived into the 1960s with the then Eastern and Midland Regions of British Railways. There are a number of railway buildings including station, warehouse and station-master‟s house that are an important part of the social-historic development of the town. Group value is given through the existence of the large two-storey red-brick building of Great Northern Railway Goods Warehouse (c1890).

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Railway Weighbridge Nos.1-6, 7a and 8-12 Midland Cottages

Figure 6; Conservation Area Appraisal map

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7. THEMES

The Landscape – Area 1 In the 19th century willow was grown at the site and harvested for the basket making industry which thrived here at the time. Typically found growing in damp situations, such as beside rivers the fast- growing willow has been cultivated for centuries for its flexible shoots, which can be woven into baskets, living sculptures and other products. Osiers are a distinct kind of willow with their long rodlike twigs. "Plaiting materials" used for plaiting and interlacing would typically include straw, osier or willow, bamboos.

The „Rec‟ was imaginatively landscaped with trees, shrubs and flowering plants of all kinds. The borders which lined the broad pathways were filled with bedding and herbaceous border plants to give a long season of colour. The trees on the riverside edge of the Grounds and on the north side facing Bancroft Road and Nightingale Road are identified as being important groups, giving character to the area.

The area benefits from a spacious layout with long views along the street. There is a mix of residential and industrial buildings giving subtlety in style, tone and scale. The parkland relates well to the small number of historic buildings of which the 17th century Skynners Almshouses are the most important. The important buildings are generally low level and have a flat scale with basic ornamentation.

Important local views relate to the buildings and the setting created by the open spaces and structures found in the Grounds: View 1: View southwards down Bancroft taking in the grade II listed Skynners Almshouses, with their front boundary wall and entrance gates; View 2: View past nos. 1-4 consec. Nightingale Road (listed grade II) towards the junction with Grove Road, marked by the locally listed Church of our Lady and St Andrew; View 3: View into Bancroft Recreation Ground, of the bandstand, trees and pavilion beyond; View 4: View into Bancroft Recreation Ground, of bandstand, trees and the children‟s play area beyond.

Basket making

In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century towns many towns in the region exploited their proximity to London in relation to their manufacturing base for baskets as well as hats. Wheat straw and willow grown on chalk was of a high quality and before 1835 most of the plait was taken out of the area for use in London warehouses. After this date most of it was used locally for the increasing demand for basket and bonnet manufacture.

Domestic industry thrived, and in the nineteenth century Hitchin was influential in the domestic straw plait trade. The plaiting was carried out mainly by women and girls in their own homes in the surrounding villages, where the willow was turned into that universal accessory of the Victorian summer, the basket and straw hat.

Orchards

The sitting of the orchards and nursery varied at different stages in the history of the grounds. Initially in 1840, orchards only existed next to the Skynners Almshouses, whilst the area known as Benn Mead was completely given over to osiers. In 1881, the entire site was only orchards before in 1898 being given over to nursery. In 1922 the whole site is shown as being covered in orchards with the nursery only present at the Almshouses. In 1927, when the Grounds had been formally adopted the previous uses are no longer apparent and trees line the main pathway and later (1966), are also shown to line the main Bancroft/ Nightingale Road edge.

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The River Hiz – Area 2

The River Hiz flows in an approximately south west to north east direction, and the early settlement used it as a boundary to the burgage plots on the east side of what is now Sun Street, High Street and Bancroft.

To provide both water and power, over the years the river has been culverted, dammed, and diverted, as well as serving as a general drain to Hitchin, before the provision of a proper drainage system in the 19th century. The Carmelite monastery (now The Priory Conference Centre) was sited to take advantage of the location next to the Hiz, and the present form of the river dates from c1770 when a fashionable natural-looking lake was formed by the landscape designer Nathaniel Richmond (1724- 1784)11 using a dam which was hidden by a listed flint bridge.

The Hicca Way is a footpath that follows the Hiz from Wellhead in Charlton to Arlesey, passing along the riverside path on the east edge of the Grounds. It is a reminder of the history of the river where Danish invaders once occupied and gives links between Bancroft and the Priory.

From the entrance to the Priory, the river meanders slightly, passing first The Biggin, and then continuing in a culvert to emerge in the lake, created in the late 1920s to the east of St Mary‟s Church. The river then passes into a culvert below what is left of Portmill Lane, once the location of a large mill, and Hermitage Road.

Just to the north of Hermitage Road, the river bends sharply to the north, which is probably the result of medieval intervention to bring the source of water closer to tanneries which were once located on the eastern side of Bancroft. The map shows the two large complexes of buildings facing the river at this point, Lavender Distillery and the Whinbush Grove Leather Dressing Works).

The river then bends back to its original course just outside Sainsbury‟s. Further north, the river meanders around the eastern boundary of Bancroft Recreation Ground. It then rejoins its original course on the north side of Nightingale Road, before joining the river Purwell at Walsworth.

Many sections of the original river remain, supporting a diversity of water plants, including Yellow Flag Iris, and Watercress which used to be grown commercially at Ickleford. Willow trees are common along the bank, with a fine example of pollarded willows at Glebe Meadows, Arlesey. In the riverside meadows a rich variety of wild flowers are found including Cowslip, Knapweed and Marsh Valerian.

Lavender and Leather – Area 3 There is a relationship to the lavender fields and the workshops set up by the Victorians to the south. The Ransom Physic Garden was named after the 19th Century Hitchin Physician and Chemist and is laid out with plants and herbs that the 17th Century Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper might have used.

The Ransom garden was opened in 1990 after the land was given over from Hitchin Museum that lies immediately to it‟s west. It contains York stone paths (recycled from the Priory), borders, Victorian benches and a unique sundial forged in bronze from a large pestle and mortar. It is framed by cast iron railings and a Yew hedge gives the garden a feeling of enclosure and intimacy. These railings, together with the handsome cast iron gates were forged at Henry Isaac‟s in St Ippolyts. Two cast iron benches are based on a grape vine design cast by Henry Isaac, a local foundry and ironmaker.

11 Richmond is important for the work he did with 'Capability' Brown and it is likely that he worked on Moor Park, Rickmansworth, supervising works for Brown until 1759. Richmond was responsible for a number of commissions including Marden Park, Surrey (1759); Himley Hall, Dudley (1765); as well as pleasure grounds at Hasells Hall, Hertfordshire (1766-8); Lamer, Hertfordshire (1782-4);

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8. CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT

Significance:

The above assessment concludes a number of features that contribute to the character of the Recreation Ground and this part of Bancroft. The following elements of the site should be retained, conserved and enhanced within the context of the proposed development.

 The historical use of the grounds for growing willow (baskets) and the close connection with lavender (Ransoms) and leather manufacture (tannery‟s).  The basket making heritage associated with willow.  Previous uses as orchards and nursery, as well as built over pool.  The industrial context given by buildings connected to the railway heritage and its position next to the River Hiz  The riverside setting and its connection to mills and historic malting activity  The pavilion and bandstand represent structures popular in Victorian parks around the UK  Boundary walls  The avenue or path that runs diagonally from North West to south east of park.  The context of listed buildings to the north (Frythe cottages) and to the south west (Skynners Almshouses). Locally listed buildings to the east representing railway heritage.

Maintenance:

The HUDC, North Herts Council were involved in the maintenance if the grounds in the early days. In the 1990‟s Tylers of Royston are known to have maintained the grounds. In the 1920‟s and 1930‟s proactive grounds men were involved with ensuring that people of all ages and interests could enjoy the facilities and recreation of offer

Summary Proposals for Bancroft Recreation Ground:

Key elements of the plan include increasing available green space by removing the old tennis courts and creating a new informal games area on the redundant bowling green. Extending the existing play area to provide better facilities for older children and landscaping the entrances of the park to make it more accessible for pedestrians.

The reinstatement of the paddling pool as a central feature with the enhancement of 3 avenues or promenades into the centre will create an enhancement of the spatial dimensions of the grounds.

Issues: What is happening to the Heritage assets and what are the key issues  The poor condition of the Recreation Ground including seating and litter bins;  The Bancroft Recreation Ground toilets are closed;  Modern buildings of little merit, often in poor condition, in the Recreation Ground;  The Bowling Clubhouse is in need of some refurbishment;  The poor condition of the front boundary wall to Skynner‟s Almshouses;  Municipal planting looks poor  Poor surfacing around bandstand,  No maintenance of the cedrus deodar  Lack of long term maintenance  Vandalism

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Opportunity:

The Gardens can accommodate informal recreation and has an event space for larger gatherings, providing the chance to engage more with local people. Its central location means that it is within easy reach of a wide range of audiences. There are already a variety of user groups connected with Bancroft Gardens and it is highly valued by Hitchin‟s residents. The removal of the timber framed 1960‟s hall gives the opportunity to increase the availability of green space and maximise the community use of the 1920‟s retained brick built pavilion.

 Central focal point of the pool/ fountains;  Improve paths and access (including Starlings Bridge entrance and Grove Road end;  Landscaping the entrance area of the park so that it is accessible and more attractive for pedestrians, including path widening and avenue of trees;  Improve visual links between bandstand, pavilion and gates/ park walls;  Refurbish gates and clean old brickwork;

 Restore bandstand and encourage bands;  Buildings need to be improved & redecorated;  Preserve the attractive permanent planting on both sides of path from Grove Rd end along Bancroft;  Retention of Pavilion and extension with high quality building;  Re-landscaping of areas such as tennis courts and bowling green, including a café and toilet;

 Enhance biodiversity on river;  Improve river area including resurfacing and signage to encourage more use;  Replace concrete sections of river embankment with softer landscaping to improve general experience.

 Removal of existing old tennis courts and creating a new informal games area;  Replace and enhance specific activity areas, such as lower bowling green, to provide all round playing surface;  Extending the existing play area to provide better facilities;

In addition, the Recreation Ground will help people develop skills, learn about their heritage and make the local area/community a better place to live, work or visit. It will see an improvement in environmental impacts and a wider range of people engaged with heritage.

Conservation benefits include:  better management  improved condition  better interpreted and explained  identified/recorded  Improved wayfinding, signage and public understanding and participation  Improved visual and physical link between pavilion and bandstand

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Objectives for Bancroft Recreation Grounds:  To improve a key town centre park as part of NHDC‟s commitment to town centres and green issues  To reduce the amount of hard landscaping in the park  To rejuvenate the Bancroft Gardens  Reinvigorate planting beds  To provide more facilities for young people  To overcome health and safety issues of parking at the park entrance

Management Implications:  The park is a community resource often used by families, events for picnics, informal games like football and Frisbee.  Important to keep hedges and trees trimmed and regular maintenance of paths such as the one to Sainsburys  As a small green area in a large town it is important to discourage car use  Encourage active use of park by clubs etc. so park in use day & evening  Park warden at night  More visits by community officer  Park ranger/extension of Hitchin Town Rangers would help discourage drunks & homeless hanging around  Office/store for parks manager in new building  Supervision is required - human or camera  Long term maintenance.

THEME AREAS

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3

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HISTORIC PLANS

Nursery

1898

1922/23

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1966

HISTORIC IMAGES

Skynners Almshouses, Phyllis Morgans,: 1962

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1931 postcard of pond with play equipment visible to the rear.

1931, Frith

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1955, Frith

1955, Frith

Hitchin Official Guide 1962/63

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1995, children enjoying new play equipment

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